The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-20
AEORODROME
TOOK FLIGHT
Gale Swept Houstb1at In Which
II Was From Anchorage.
NO CHANCE TO SHOT CIR
Spectators on Banks Of the Potomac Feared
tIyiag E,ch,le suffered ln.paTan.e
lijgU.
NO CHANCE TO SHOT CAR

Washington, July N.-Prlf Langley's
aerodrome took an unexpected flight
Saturday that created excitement and
CONSERVATION among scientists and spec
tators. They feared Langleys master
piece would suffer irreparable injury.
Alter withstanding for hours strong
wind from tine south, the houseboat
broke from It's anchorage and moved
rapidly up stream The vessel fed be-
fore the raging southeaster tor more
than an hour until another anchorage
was found.
Crowds Of spectators on the banks
watched the course OF the houseboat. 1t
was expected that the vessel would be
wrecked and the airship destroyed.
When the craft got Off before the wind
all the energies OF the workmen on board
were required TO manage her. From the
shore people watching with glasses could
see remarkable activity at the stern.
Men were up aft on the superstructure.
apparently watching the taut lines hold
ing the anchor
Before the boat started the heavy rain
rendered operations on the car ana
track impracticabe The water for miles
around the anchorage Is shallow.
IL Is expected that when the gale dies
out Prof. Langley will direct return
TO the Original position.
One OF the two large buoys between
which the houseboat was first stationed
was dragged after her Everything con-
nected with the boat-house. including
the small launch with the model pro-
peller, was carried along.
The problem OF aerial navigation has
engaged the attention OF Prof. Langley
for the last 20 years. The present
machine is the development OF his expert
ments conducted through these years.
The temporary resting place OF the
aerodrome Is an ordinary houseboat,
about 30 feet wide and 80 feet long, fiat
tUtCmed and drawing probably not moro
than a foot OF water. The interior rs fitted
up AZ a workshop with mach hery ana
benches.
Upon the roof is built a massive frame
work. forming a large turntable. on which
IS built a broad platform with wide rail
lngs around IL, and through the centre OF
which and projecting over the water
some distance. IS built section OF track
upon which the airship is TO be given It's
initial momentum, and from which II IS
10 be launched.
There are numerous windows In th'
sides of the workshop. all OF which are
screened when the vessel Is moored. anc
TWO large doors cne at each end, are hid
den oy the lattice work.
The aerod. ONE is apparently about 81
feet In length and at its greate,t diameter
is stout IL feet. The body is cigar shaped
AID tapers gradually 10 either end. Thin
steel tubing is employed I'm tha construc-
ten OF the framework. and the steel
skeleton is inclosed In a network Of line
steel wire.
Situated in the forward part OF the
body OF the vessel are two wings, one
on either side and each is said 20 give
a surface OF $50 square feet. In the rear
portion on the vessel are two other wings
OF the sHntr o.mt nsions as those :'rw' rs
also place cr either side OF the body Tn.
finest kind OF oiled silk was used in the
covering OF the wings. The vessel, II Is
said, presents en- expanse or sustaining
surface OF about 1900 square feet. A sus-
tairing power OF 1900 pounds is furnished
by the four wings. and. after consider
ing the weight OF the machine. including
the navigator. the engine and five tor
pedoes, unloaded, a floating or soaring
margin OF over 200 pounds is secured.
1t Is understood that considerable econ
omy in weight has been secured through
the utilization Of a gasoline motor light
enough for the work desired OF II. The
motor is Of the explosion type, weighs 200
pounds and is OF % horse e-power.