Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-07-16
AiRsHlP THAT WILL WORK
Prof. LansIey's Latest Invention Will
Be Launched Soon.

working for some time. The test will
be made somewhere on the banks of the
Potomac river This machine is not en-
tirely new. and follows the lines of his
previous invention. Professor Langley
is confident 1t will be n success. About
two weeks ago 1t was placed on a
houseboat and the start is likely to be
made any day
The flying machine is curiously con-
structed apparatus, sixty feet in length
and apparently of great stability. 1t
Is built of steel and brass and in addi-
ton to being the invention of Professor
Langley was constructed under his d.
rect supervision. The machine Is not a
model. but full-t1edged airship. and
though 1t is not held that the limit OF
construction has been reached SO far
as size is concerned, yet the machine
is essentially large and strong enough
for practical purposes.
The machine is driven by four cleo
trio motors and is capable of furnish
ing its own motive power when in the
air. Heretofore the MODELS tested by
Professor Langley depended for the
force of their propulsion upon outside
energy administered upon and not
within the machine The present ma
chine is fitted with small platform
surrounded by a railing capable of
holding 4 man In II sitting or standing
position. AT the sides of the apparatus
are horizontal thin steel planes. from
eighteen to thirty inches i'm length and
about nine inches in width. The cen
trail portion, which is the backbone of
the whole airship and the principal
feature of the invention, consists of u
cigar shaped cylinder, made of brass
apparently. and is sharp pointed at
both ends 1t is to this cylinder that
the various parts of the motor are fast
ened.
Painstaking Construction.
Several thousands of dollars have
been spent by Professor Langley in
bringing to Its present perfection the
airship to whose construction he has
devoted so many years of his life. Nu-
merous models have been made. and
time after time whole portions of the
concern have been destroyed in vain
attempts to attain the ideal sought for.
The work on the machine Is understood
to have been done at Professor Lang
ley'S own home and at the government
workshops of the Smithsonian insti-
tuition.
The airship accepted for the final test
was built at q total cost of more than
$4,000. OF this sum $4,000 was appro-
priated by congress for the purpose.
Professor Langley is said to have spent
more than $4,000 of his own means on
the invention.
After years of hard work the great
est difficulty In the way of success has
been removed by the discovery and
of motor light enough for
the purpose and of twenty-five horse
power. The elimination of weight to
so large an extent has convinced Pro-
fessor Langley that at last he has
lot,
sufficiently light to be borne easily
through the air on the frail structure
of the aeroplane proper.
The work on this motor has monop-
lied Professor Langley's spare hours
since 1896, when his first
machine wastested. This flying ma
chine was little more than a model.
For several years there has lain in a
small cove on Chappawamsic island, In
Chappawamsic creek. about four miles
from Quantico Va. the houseboat used
the great strides made by Professor
the difference In size of the
two houseboatS or arks affords strik-
ing evidence.
The Launching ARK.
The first boat built was to furnish
a resting place for u small and insg-
niticant model. The present enormous
structure of braced timber and metal
is for the launching of not plaything
but practical ship for aerial naviga-
ton, capable of bearing passenger
and a steersman.
So far as the principle on which 1t
first was built is concerned, 1t Is said
that Professor Langley has diverged
only slightly since the completion of
his flying machine in 1896. An effort
to obtain a strong light. and durable
motor of high horse power has chiefly
held his attention. In other details
the new airship is practically the same
as that which was evolved more than
seven years ago.
The machine was taken to the house
boat especially constructed for 1t on
Friday, June rs, for the first time. This
or, as 1t is known among
river men, "a.rl." is In itself as inter
subject of almost as much thought and
For more than thirty months
1t lay in the dock to be got ready for
the experiment.
The lark" is without exception the
queerest craft ever seen on the Poto-
mac, and has been the object of curios-
ity ever since Professor Langley
launched 1T. The boat portion, or scow,
was built by contract three years ago
IN lAleAduuTld at d COEl VI pl, LUU. IL
81 feet in length and "a feet wide. and
draws less than two feet of water. 1t
is constructed of Il 6-inch white pine
and can be propelled up the shallow
creeks. This is what Professor Lang
ley has anticipated having it do should
1t become necessary to seek seclusion In
order to obtain secrecy.
Starts From Rails.
Upon the scow the house boat proper
is built. This is the full width of the
scow and about ten feet less in length
1t is about sixteen feet in height. On
top of the houseboat Is monster
of timber and brass, upon
which the flying machine is perched
when In use and from which 1t gets its
Initial start into the air. The construc-
ton of this portion of the apparatus is
unique, and, like the flying machine, is
the invention Of Professor Langley. On
the topmost portion of the framework
is a track extending parallel to the
length of the boat and jutting out for
several feet over the lower portion in
front and at the stern. 1t is upon this
track that the flying machine runs on
steel grooves On the forward portion
Of the upper framework is a crane used
in lifting the airship and other heavy
articles.
Once in position on the track or
groove and given a start the flying ma
chine moves rapidly along the rails I'M
til the end Is reached. when quitting the
steel ways 1t scars into the air. This
is the plan Professor Langley has adopt
ed to launch his aeroplane. The entire
and framework is painted a
dull gray, relieved only by the rods Of
brass used in the running gear on the
roof
AT it's wharf in Washington the boat
and the untried invention within 1t are
under guard night and day. During
o,.er,, dos, frnr1n oiuhf to ton man q ,.a