The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1898-06-24

around Cuba. and each day Of delayed
action Will make them more ncCdfS
In observing the spaniards strength
ened lines Of defense.
The tsrtuous waterways and the
generally land-lockcd nature Of the
harhors. their narrow fortified en-
frances, and the excellent retreats the
Wide reaches Of water offer TO their
ships make u imperative that We have
some fairly safe and reliable means OF
making reconnoissanoes Of the Span
iards' positions. The lighting tops,
yes, even the masthcads. are 81 little
avail for observation at the distances
imposed by the watchful batteries Of
the enemy. and the captive balloon
alone solves the difficulty. This Is os-
peolally so where blgh promontorics
like those Of Santiago Dc Cuba and san
Juan completely shut out the harbor
from view and make hitting neet
therin more guegswork. Recent expert
ments In Germany. France and Rus
sla have emphasized the Importance Of
the captive balloon In widening a fleets
powers Of observation. Just In the same
way that the captive balloon will serve
the army; and the patient trials and
study Of the GermsHs have evolved n
curious aerosiat that by virtue OF It's
shape and pocslar properties h os-
peclally well adapted to the greater
range % naval work. aud II " qylto
aafe 10 nay oar own ballnoUe Will su-
baay the general features ~ nlc Ger
man design.
The balloons will really be shrec bal
looms acting IN concert The'frat and
largest is like an immense sausage.
and bears the main burden Of the load
ed car. The second n somewhat SINH
lar In shape. but hugs the lower end
Of the big balloon like creeping
caterpillar. This second and smaller
balloon acts principally IN the capacity
OF ruddor. and aids materially In
holding the balloon In a peculiar posi-
ton. while the third and small apheri-
cal balloon trails along independently
behind at some distance and serves IN
the same ateadylnE capacity that a
kites tail does. In action. this triple
balloon floats with Freat stoadinesa or
bmmoblllty when not under way
something impossible in the pear
shaped affair familiar to all Of ~.
The observation car Ia pendant from
the main balloon, which poiaos In the
air at an angle Of about A. degrees,
practically like the position OF the kite
common 10 every school boy. and II
IA Just In that way that the force OF
the wind Ia utilized 10 increase the
balloons buoyancy and 10 aubaerve
also 10 that peculiarly marked ateadi-
ness or dlrectnesa Of night.
Made up, a. Il II, In three separate
parts, II Is less liable 10 total and In
slant collapse In case Of puncture. and
Il IA even possible 10 secure a wider |
margin OF safety by mbdylding the In
teriorn by thin mcmbranOua walls and |
ht,lng them with little valves some
what like those now used on bicycle |
tire. which would enable the balloon TO
be allied. but which at the same time |
would shut on automatically an In
jured compartment by virtue Of the
unlmpaired force OF the nolghborlng |
good ones A happy. chance shot that
might damage one or even two OF the |
compartments would only cause the
balloon TO sink slowly like an exhaust
ed bird. and would either enable the
aoronauts 20 prepare for a Jump In
safety or permit the balloon to be
drawn beyond the reach Of further at
tack before touching the water These
balloons are built mp IN nectlons out
OF a wonderfully light but very tough
fabrication OF silk-a strip yard long
being equal 10 bearing burden Of half
q ton; and a balloon capable OF rails
ing a party OF four persons viii scarce
~ weigh more than a good'aiEed boy
OF 10.
The especial advantages OF the bal
loon for naval work were discovered
10 recently as 1884, In that year the
Russian monitor Rusnlka foundered
with all hands In the Gulf Of Finland.
An expedition. under Colonel Nicolas
dorloff. undertook 10 discover the To-
cation OF the lost vessel by using a
captive balloon for the purposes of sub
marine observation. and while he was
unable 10 nnd the craft, sim the re-
suits OF hls search were fruitful In val
liable information for future Hayai pur-
poses. The balloon. which was held
captive by a large naval transport ht-
ted up for the service. assembled TO oil
titudas varying from $50 10 something
iust oyer 1900 feot. Two observers,
who we're relieved every three hours.
were constantly In the car and II was
found that the naked eye was better
adapted 10 discerning objects al the
bottom OF the sea than were the aids
Of telescopes or glasses. With a favor
able Hight rocks and aandbanks were
clearly defined al depths OF from 10 to
70 feet. Large, light sandbanks-sueh
az prevail about Cuba-c0uld be seen
mere or less distinctly. depending upon
the color OF the water. 81 .ra,l ~
even 10 feet, but q WIS no, loc hla
10 distinguish '.Ifr ~ obl-cts
deeply subnei. Nv lom hs
ear 'hed 70 = aistsnee ~ quite 45
ard Il ~ pc 'leis 10 hear the
Of q eat -HHrrading which
nnuhil II ya,.ong on and. OBJ
% ~ lace OF the water we're