The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-14

III
Among the most striking and perhaps
paradoxical discovery was that suit
a bly disposed free body might under GER
tain conditions, ne sustained in an ordi-
nary wind, and even advanced against it,
without the expenditure of any energy
from within.
This would seem to be contrary to all
known laws of force and motion, but the
experiments Of Prof. Langley ana Octave
Chanute proved most conclusiyely that IL
is the case, and when once established IL
fully explains phenomenon which has
long puzzled Observers, tho soaring OF
large birds I'm the air sometimes for hours
without apparently Tapping their wings.
Nulures, eagles and condors have been
watched with telescopes for three or four
hours in succession, and during that time
tho birds sailed about In great circles
without once vibrating their pinions.
Difficulties in Launching.
Ono Of the most serious difficulties was
experienced in launching the models for
10 became evident carly IN the experiments
that the machine must bo in full opera
tion at the moment 10 was freed, other
wise its weight would carr IL at once Co
the ground. This ditlcu g. for long
time restricted the models 20 small sizes
such as could be launched from tho hand,
but even under these difficulties Mr..
Langley achieved some measure of sue.
cess and, with rubber springs AS motors,
succeeded In obtalning flights of from
three to six seconds. Rubber springs.
however would not answer the purpose; ;
a motor which would he more regular and
steady in its operation was needed. 20.
setting upon the best model for wings,
no began tho construction of "a steam
engine. lit was necessary to make be-
ginning, and compound engine was
planned which, when completed, weighed
about four pounds, and which could de.
yelOp rather over a horSe power with 80
pounds of steam which IL was expected
could be furnished by "a series of tubular
boilers arraigned in beehive form, and
the whole was To he contained in hull
about feet in longth and 10 inches in
diameter. This hull was, as IN the-con-
struction Of "a ship, to carry all adluncts
In front Of IL projected steel rod, or
bowsprit about its own length. ana one
still longer behind. The engines rotated
two propellers, each about 30 inches IN
diameter, which ware on tho end of long
shafts is disposed OF at an acute angle to
each other and actuated by single gear
driven from the engine. A single pair
of large wings contained about 80 square
feet, and a smaller one in the rear about
half as much or IN all, some 75 feet of
sustaining surface for weight which IL
was expected would not exceed % pounds. "
This was -aerodrome Mo- which was
soon followed by the construction OF aero
drume No., and three which were larger,
stronger, and with different kinds of boil
ers Still che launching difficulty coDtin- :
ued and year passed ere device was
invented which enabled tho flying ma
chimes to get "a successful start In the air.
"Ihe aerodromes wero now for tho first
time put fairly in the air. and new
class OF difficulties arose, due to a cause
which was at first opscure-fcr two sue
cessive launches OF the same aerodrome,
under conditions as near aliKe ms posi-
be, would be followed by entirely differ
ent results. For example, in the first
case il might TO found rushing, not fall
ing, forward and downward into the
water under the impulse OF its own en-
gines I'm the second case. with every CON
dtion from observation apparently the
same, il might DO found soaring upward
until its wings made an angle OF sixty do
grees with the horizon, and, unable to
sustain itself at such a slope. sliding
backward into the water This was
found to be due To the irregular pressure
of the air on the wings but even after
the cause was known extreme difficulty
was experienced in overcoming the obsta-
Gle, and hundreds of failures ensued ere
the latest and successful aerodrome was
constructed. AS to the merits of this u
report was given by DIR. Bell, who wit
messed an experiment, and thus details
what he saw: ION the occasion referred
To tbe aerodrome at given signal,
started from a platform about % feet
above the water. and rose at first directly
i'm the face of the wind, moving at all
times with remarkable stoadiness, and
subsequently swinging around In large
curves of, perhaps. 100 Yards in diameter.
and continually ascending until its steam
was exhausted. when, at "a lapse of about
minute and half. and at height
which Judged to be between 80 and 100
IT,, "a, al sol n
the machine, deprived of the aid of pro.
pellers to my surprise did not fall, but
settled down so softly and gently that 1t
touched the water without the least shock
and wds in fact Immediately ready Tor
another trial.
A Second Trial.
"In the second trial which followed
directly, 1t repeated in nearly every resnect
tho actions Of the first except that the
directions of its course was different. 1t
assembled again in tho face of the wind,
afterward moving steadily and con-
tinually in largo curves. accompanied
with a rising motion and lateral ad
vance. Its motion was, in fact so stead
ily that 1 think glass of water on Its
surface would have remained unspilled.
When the steam gave out again IL re-
peated for second time the experience
Of the first trial when the steam had
ceased and settled gently and easily
down. What heiQht it reached at this trial
1 cannot say. rs / was rot so favorabiy
placed as in the first; but / had occasion
TO notice that this time its course took 1T
over wooded promontory, and was re-
lieved OF some apprehension on seeing that
IL was already so high as To pass the tree
tors Ivy 20 or 30 feet. 1t reached the water
one minute and thirty seconds from the
time 10 started. at measured distance OF
over 900 feet from the point ut which IL
rose. "
Mr. Chanute's experiments with gliding
machines were based upon the discovery
already alluded TO as made by Prof. Lang
ley that under certain circumstances ~ Is
possible for n body TO move through the
air against the wind without any apliica-
tion OF internal force Mr.. Chanuto.s OK
periments were made with party oil gen
tlemen, who, i'm order TO give their whole
attention to tho subject, went into camp
on tho sand hills Of Lake Michigan, about
thirty miles east of Chicago. The party
comprised several enthusiasts on aerial
navigation.a mechanic and surgeon, tbs
innn of tools beinv ON hand To repair the