The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-19

IOOns-RoyaIty Sustains the Ven
ture With Money and Encourage
ment.
The problem OF aerial navigation has
at last been solved-at least, certain Ger
man scientists claim that 1t has been
solved Count Won Zeppelin Is the man
who. in the face of many discourage
ments, has brought TO a triumphant con
cusion series of experiments that give
promise OF momentous results. The en-
peror of Germany and the King OF
Wurtemburg have for several years beer
patrons of the count watching the prog
ress Of his invention and contributing
literally of their means toward the cost
Of the new airship. No cost has been
spared, for the noble inventor is a
wealthy man and bis royal patrons gave
him free access to their purses, and the
results of the venture will be known
within a few days. The alrship is one
that sails at any rate, and even though
II may not attain the success its inventor
hoped for, II will be a novelty of its
kind for il will float and is a long step
in the direction OF success. But-failure
Is not apprehended, either by the in
ventor or his patrons, and the scientific
world would not be surprised If the vent
ure should prove all that the most ex-
acting could desire, for everything that
human skill could suggest or money pro-
cure has been lavished upon the work
Every device and discovery of advanced
science has been applied and scrupulous
care has been exercised in construction
and selection of materials. The calcula-
lions and measurements are models of
accuracy and everywhere the greatest
force has been combined with the great
Est lightness. In short, If wealth, skill
and modern science can master the prob
lem the result of the trial should mark
an epoch in the worlds history.
SECRETS ARE GUARDED.
The secrets of the airship workroom
have been jealousy guarded, and little
exact information regarding the aerial
vessel has leaked out The place of con-
structiOn is in an immense building erect
ed IN the midst of q lake al BergenZam
BodeEsee. The building IS 43O feet long
and seVenty-five feet high, shaped like an
eHlpse pointed on one end, and lighted
by eleven great windows along the side
The windows are curtalned, in order to
ebstruct the view of eavesdrOppers and
the Norkmen are not allowed to leave
the building day or night lest they might
reveal some Of the secrets of construc-
ton.
The reasons for the location of the
building in the lake are thus given by
the super intendent of the work
The first requisite was the greatest
secrecy DOSSihlQ. and nv n
water surface the danger to life, in case
OF sudden fall, was diminished and the
inventor was in a position to closely fol-
low In boat all the movements of the
aerial ship.
I'm add ton TO all these, however was
an even more important consideration
OF course, You Will understand that in a
certain sense all the first trips will be
purely experimental and demand a large
surface without obstacles Of any kind.
Naturally the length Of 4 floating plat
form anchored at one end will always be
parallel with he direction of the wind.
When tha afrship b ing iTe1. is Above I
to ascend. its exit is facilitated and the
danger of IS striking the walls, as would
be the case on land. is obviated We
had great deal of difficulty to securely
anchor The great building. The wind
sWeens down the lake with tremendous
force against The immense exposed sur
face ct the sides Of tho building and sew
e1al Tires II has torn loose firm it's moor
ings and gone adrift. being with Difficult
~ tcwed back by steamers to its original
iCCafi~n..- :a
WHERE THE ATRsHIP RESTS.
THE entire structure rests on ninety
rVe pontoons and consists of two por-
uons-the external one supports the walls
and roof AND is connected with a series
Of joists under water. The interior sec
ton is forty feet wide and rests on a
pontoon distinct from the ex eyior. Tris
forms the base for the atrsh D. Is NOV
able and can be towed out of the bal
Ioon-house so that an u1hindered ascent
Is possible. When the balloon returns
1t can be fastened to the float and moved
back into the hall"
a recent visitor to the place gives a
description of what he saw Before
our astonished gaze, he says. I'VE be-
held the skeleton Of the airship, apparent