The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-18
La FRANCE.

loon could be varied without touching
the ballast which could thus be rcSerV-
ed for moments of emergency. Another
point of difference between La France
and all the balloons that had preceded 1t
was that il was shaped like a huge
Manila cigar swelling out sharply near
the front point and diminishing slowly
right to the back, form that was said
TO augment the possible speed very con-
captain Renard is at present occu-
pied with the construction Of a naNl-
gable balloon from which great things
are expected. The electric dynamo VIII
be- replaced by a gasoline motor WhlCh
the learned director of the balloon school
at Chdlais has expressly invented Tor
this experiment ana which viii be- cap
able OF working for ten hours or more
screw tWcutV-SeNen feet in diameter,
~ q rate OF 200 revolutions per minute.
This will impart to the balloon, which
is TO contain twice the cubic contents OF
La France. a speed OF about twenty
five miles an hour.
a military balloon differs from an or
binary balloon in many ways II is much
smaller and is made, If possible, with
greater care. IL carries complete equip
mcnt Of the scientific Instruments neceS-
sary for taking the most extensive obser-
NatiOnS such as telescopes, held-glasSeS.
PHOTOGRAPHIC cameras ana signaling ap-
plauceS If connected with the ground
bV means OF cable a telephone is car
ried along this very guide-rope, as 1t IS
called The aeruenaut IS mus IN quasi
personal communication with the officer
commanding the army, ana can inform
him at the greatest length of any man
oeuvTes upon the part Of the enemy Inc
eas used for military balloons IS usually
pure hydroeen which gives two or three
times the lifting power OF me ordinary
gas OF commerce. il Is much more eN-
pensive. however, pure hydrogen costing
about cent per cubic foot, so thdt even
for a small balloon the gas needed 1or
q single ascension would amount 10
several hundred dollars.
\ first class military balloon can now
be turned out In two weeks time IN Sllle
of the many and important pc ceSSc9
Which have to be gone through. y d
the long rolls Of strong pongee SIX are
tested with a dynCMCtCr BENG rcJeCltu
If they do not resist a pressure OF L.OW
pounds TO the square yard, and are men
vanished before being cut so as u ahoN
for skriukage. After the small pieces are
accurately cut by pattern they are sewn
together with silk thread, two seams
being made at each junction. FROM Ten
to twenty miles of thread is used IN i
single ballOOn-the number of pieces sewn
tCeether varying from 1869 10 g. O ae-
corJ!ng 10 the cubic contents. Inc on
canoe shared cores have been abandoned
i'm modern haIiC ons which are made up
of a number OF trapeZold shaped pieces
90 placed that should seam begin 70
tear lei gthwise at any point II could NOT
20 the whole length OF the balloon, but
NOuld instead be stopped a very .Shoi |
Qiytsuce by one of the transverse doupIe
After the balloon has thus been sewn
together II Is gwen four coats OF var
nish three on the outside and one on Inc
inside. IL is then tested in various ways,
usually being given a trial imitation ana al
lowed to struggle against the restraining
cable The Importance of the vanishing
cannot be eXaggeIated No matter what
care Is taken in preparing the silk the gas
espaucs slowly and Is replaced by the
surrounding air SO that the balloon must
descend sooner or later: II Is only queS-
lion OF time. The degree Of perfection
win which the vanishing has been done
regulates TO a great extent the possible
duration of the voyage. Another reason
* the increase of weight caused by the
rain snow or hail, that Is frequently en-
countfred and which settles upon the bal
loon with fatal consequences By acceIerst-
ing the speed OF its downward flight ia
an ungONernable rapidIty. The idea has
been preached of making a balloon of
thin plates Of aluminium carefully sold
cred together but the great weight Of
even the lighttst metal presents an in
surfr ountable obstacle TO its success The
net used 10 cover its construction is re-
placed in the military balloon by a Gov
ering of vanished and glossy cloth which
presents not the slightest resistance 10
the air. and in the naYigable balloons is
of positive value, as the basket can no
held by its means with a rigldity possible
OF attainment In no other way The entire
cost OF the balloon varies according 10
its size. One capable OF supporting two or
three men and the necessary outfit va
rles IN eost between two and 1--WE thousand