The times., 1897-06-11
AN AERIAL FILIBUSTER
The Cuban League Interested in
an Airship.
Designed by Yankee and a Texan,
To Carry Mails and Supplies.
Work Begins at Once.

| The Cuban League OF this city Is nov de-
voting great deal OF time and atteatfon
to the construction of an airshlp, winch. il
is expected. Will lend valuable assistance
to the Cubaninsurgents
The project has the support or many OF
the most prominent Cuban sympathizcrs Of
tie National Capital, who, for the present,
will not consent to the publication Of their
names. Nevertheless, the fact that the
work has received the mark OF their ap-
proyal, az wen as contributions from them,
is proof OF their sincerity In the ente, prise.
The design for the air-sbip is the result
of the combined labor of a well-kno
Maine Yankee, an inventor, who has de-
voted more than fifty years of his life to
the study OF aeronautics, and gentleman
from Waco, Texas The former is now ia
this city and In correspondence with his
oo-laDorer in Texas, who is expected to
join him in three or four DAYS
The work is under the control of a COM
mittee OF representative Washin gtonians.
VINO feel assured o. the success OF the un-
deTtaklng. They are quite confident that
within sixty days, that Is, by the 1st OF
August. the ship viii have been built, and
landed IN Cuba, with hospital supplies for
the insurgents. The idea of those inter-
csted is TO sail the air-ship at regular
intervals for the purpose oil carrying dis
patches direct to the Cuban headquarters
on the island IL is claimed tina the vessel
could sail away at night and travel at
least twelve hours before its departure
could be made known to the public OF TO
the Federal authorities.
Much OF the material Tor the construction
OF the ship cannot be obtained in Washing
ton, but Will have to be purchased else-
where, and agents are now in New York,
Philadelphia and Cincinnati for this pur-
pose. A model OF the ship was shown q
Times reporter by DT. Lake, vice presf-
dent OF the Cuban League, at 1912 G.
street northwest yesterday afternoon,
though the complete details cannot be
made public until a later date These are
carefully guarded, as it is thought the
Spanish government would be too glad TO
learn them. The Cuban Junta in New York
has received several designs for airships,
as have also the leaders here, but all havo
heen refused. The present design would
in all probability have been turned aside
also, were IL not for the fact that the In
ventors are personally known 10 the men-
bers Of the league.
The invention has also been given a
practical test. A member Of the league
states that he Travelled distance II
eighteen miles in a former airship of the
same design. and was landed at the start
ing point with perfect ease. The plan
submitted to the league has been patented
and has many improvements over the first
ship. The vessel viii he built princi-
pally of aluminium, but steel and copper
will also ne used. There will be ten sepa-
rate compartments, with capacity OF
50, 900 cubic feet of gas, and these Will
be arranged, each complete in itself, 80
that il shells from the enemy's guns pene-
trate as many as five OF the compartments,
the remaining three will still keep the
vessel aflOat in the air. The bottom OF
the machine will ne fitted for the accom-
mediation of piot, besides additional men
and cargo. On the front of the machine
will be a large horizontal or apron"
aeroplaue, which will be used in ascend
ing and descending. In the rear will he
a large vertical rudder, to shift the ship
from side to side.
The ascent and descent as well as the
forward motion, Will be accomplished by
two sets OF propellers- These win be
arranged in long cylinders, 30 that the
air may he caught and utilized to the
best advantage, and these will be arranged,
four horizontally and four vertically,
through the main body of the boat.
The motive power will be supplied by
an upright explosive motor, which is
claimed to be the most powerful kind
OF engine that could be used in an air
machine. The space occupied by such
motor is not more than that necessary for
an ordinary chair Many or the hoTseiess
carriages of France are propelled by ex-
pl0siye motors, with success
The Cuban League has already raised
$3.50 during the past few days, to be
used especially in constructing the ship,
and the ladies of the organization are
working enthUsi astieally for the sue
cess of the project. The boat VIII be
built near this city, and work is ex-
pected to be commenced in q few days,
but the place of construction will, il
possible be kept secret.