Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1898-04-28
BALlOONIST BALDWIN.
Wayne County's Aeronaut to
Go Into the Government
Balloon Service.

John Z. Baldwin. the aeroraut
whose home is at Dalton, has nearl,
completed an immense balloon for ser
vice in the war department. Henri,
| U johnson has obtained for him
position as expert balloonist for ths
government. place hat was created
for him, and he will act il connection
with the signal corps. General A. "
Greedy, chief of the signal service, ha:
invited Baldwin 10 join the sigma
corps, and he will report to General
Greeley.
The airship which Baldwin has
about completed and in which ne will
probably be required by the war de
partment to take observations of the
movements of the Spanish soldiers and
ships, is not large. but because of the
excellence of the machinery used IN
its construction it will be capable of
standing a great pressure of gas and
will consequently have great lifting
power. The reservoir is not simply an
inflated bag, but has frame composed
of aluminium tubing. which gives il
great strength and Iigidity. Ovsr this
frame is stretched and secured the
finest quality of balloon silk, which
will receive many coats of yarnish to
prevent the escape of gas.
The reservoir alone in the ship now
being constructed is 60 feet long and
% feet in diameter, with capacity of
1000 cubic feet of gas. Hydrogen
gas only will be used to initiate this
balloon. No hot air will be used. Hot
air loses its buoyaney in about forty
minutes, while hydrogen gas will sus,
tain balloon theoretically forever, or
until it escapes from the reservoir.
On the frame of the reservoir, one
on each side and running longitudinal
ly with it, are two shafts, also of
aluminium. On each of these shafts
are three propellers. These propellers
are of sheet aluminium, in sections,
and beat the air when in motion in a
manner to that OF flying birds wings
They collapse. or fold, when withdrawn
from the stroke, and open out aud be-
come rigid when pulled back against
the air, Just like a ducks foot when
swimming. These propellers are each
s feet long and feet broad, and have
4S feet of surface each. the six having
a total of 2S5 square feet of surface.
The steering mechanism will be
operated by hand only, this method
being regarded as the safest. The
motive power for the propellers will
be furnished by gasoline engine.
small-and strong. This motor will
be placed in secure case or box of
inside the reservoir at the
bottom. By this means all danger of
fire reaching the gas in the reservoir
will be obviated.
The total weight of Baldwin's ship
motor and all equipment, is
800 pounds. Fifteen hundred feet
Of aluminium tubing are used in its
1t safely carries 1900
pounds. and two persons can carry
provisions for six months TO drop
among the Spaniards. Ihe car is of
and is so constructed as to
afford safety and shelter from rain and
cold. 1t has sleeping apartment in
which large man can stretch out.
Baldwin's plans which were
submitted to the war department.
nave beed app owed. These plans
ire secret, but they involve
nenry rtyUm psT7oon TracfIcarIy a7ch- |
red IN the air out of range of any
valuable gun. Many persons have |
ought the privilege OF accompanying |
Baldwin on the trial trip in this new
var balloon. All have been refused |
'ut Will c. Cunningham, assistant
nanager of the Bates house in Indi-
napolis The trip will be made soon /
hey will journey 10 Washington in
ne airship.