New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-03
NAITNS AND LANGLEYS AIRSHIPS.

No one on this side Of the Atlantic probably,
has gone into the science OF aerial navigation
with self-propelled machines so deeply AS Pro
fessor s. T. Langley, OF Washington. He has
not solved all OF the questions involved In that
mode OF travel, but he has accomplished more
than anybody else except Hiram s. Maxim,
who, by the way. is an American by birth, al
though n resident Of England for several years.
The latest experiments made with Langleys
apparatus over in New-Jersey a few days ago.
while Interesting, mark no distinct advance IN
the art. His machine. laid upon and secured
TO handcar. propelled the latter at a high
rate of speed when is screws were put in
motion by n small gasoline engine. Maxim.
however had already done substantially the
same thing the points Of difference between the
machines being that Maxim's was larger than
Langley's, was provided with a set Of car wheels
and q track OF It's own. and was driven by steam.
Maxim has now returned 10 his native country
for the purpose of experimenting the conslruc-
ton of a new ship. which enthusiastic re-
porters describe as the pioneer vessel Of rcgu-
lar lne either for transcontinental service or for
reaching the Klondkc. This craft will be
built as far as possible Of aluminium. will use
a gasoline engine, and Is said to be nearly COM
pleted.
Up to date 1t has been shown that an arshp,
provided with aeroplanes and without any gas
bag, can lift itself from the earth, can maintain
its elevation long as its propelng power
holds out, and can develop n speed Of thirty or
forty miles an hour Still greater vcocitics
have been credited to one Of Maxim's machines
but the great inventor has not yet given evil
dencc thereof TO the public. 1t is necessary
also that such vehicle shall be kept right
side I'D with care" In gusty weather. and
shall make landing safely and easily when
and where its engineer desires. If Maxim and
Langley have yet attained entirely satisfactory
results In these directions they have taken
only few persons into their confidence. Never
theless. sooner or later, 1t is reasonable to be-
! lieve. the difficulties still in the way will be
| overcome
Even then. though. the flying machines sphere
Of usefulness is likely TO be limited one. Such
a craft will admirably meet the requirements
Of geographical explorers and meteorological in
vestlgators who have moncyed hackers 1t
ought to prove a valuable adjunct to the equip
ment Of IN army or navy. II Is conceivable,
too. that for some exceptional service like carry
ing food to the Klondike region, for which an ex-
travagant compensation may he demanded and
paid, this device may come into play But for
ordinary passenger and freight traffic 1t can
scarcely compete with existing transportation
facilities II is impossible to speak with precision
without actual figures; hut there is reason to be-
lieve that it will cost much more to move given
| load given distance with a hying-machinh
than in railway car or a steamer. Not only
| must the size and weight of the aforementioned
vehicle and its propelng machinery be re-
ducod IN a minimum but the cargo alive or
| dead must also be small one. In land and