The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-08-26
THE COMING AIR SHIP.
Prof. Langley's Aerodrome--.lts Ultimate
Practicability Undoubted by Scientists
"A Partial Description of the Aerial
Wonder.
(By F. Prescott-B Bullock. J

Since the assured success of the
Marconi system of wireless telegra-
ply, the eyes and attention of not
only scientists, but of the world at
large have been directed toward those
who are supposed to be perfecting the
coming air ships, which will in the
traffic. In the eastern hemisphere are
numerous aspirants for the honor Of in
venting a practical, working, ever
ready vehicle that will transport pas
sengers in any desired direction re-
gardless of atmospheric disturbances,
and in one or two instances, it does
seem as if their labor was about sue
cessful, but here in the United States
we have man who for the past twen-
ty years has devoted his time and in
ventive genius toward reproducing the
essentials of bid fight as nearly as
practicable in a mechanical device.
This man, Professor S. P. Langley of
the Smithsonian Institute is no vision
ary inventor, but in his chosen field
of astronomy is recognized as the fore
most man of science in this country.
His present experiments are conducted
for the United States Government, and
Mr.. Thwing, millionaire, of Pitts
burg, is as far as finance goes in the
undertaking, having already expended
over one hundred thousand dollars,
while the war department. has eypend-
ed $40, 900, upon his present large ma
chine. On the eighth OF this month
fifteen foot model of this machine
was tried upon the Potomac river for
distance of six hundred yards, and
it is asserted that from the informa-
tion derived during the models fight
the problem of aerial navigation is
about solved.
Prof. Langley has adopted the bird
as his model, but with improvements,
as it was apparent to him that flying
machine to be of practical value must
be heavy enough and powerful enough
to drive straight--across or against and
in and out Of the strongest winds. No
one but Prof. Langley and his assist
ants know the details Of his inven-
tion, but what he has done to i'm
prove upon the bird is to keep the
wings in a rigid soaring position, the
working power not coming from them,
but from propellors directly behind
the wings. To describe it in as few
words as possible: it is built to carry
six passengers. The engine of twenty
horse power weighs only forty-seven
pounds. The machine is built largely
of aluminium, the body Of the car be-
ing twenty five feet long, by six wide
and eigh feet deep. The car tapers at
each end and has numerous windows.
The main room is fitted out with ham,
mocks, cooking utensils and other
comforts. Back of this is another
room where liquefed air is developed,
furnishing power to the engine, sup
plies fresh air for the car, and acts
as a refrigerant for the food needed on
a voyage, besides reproducing itself in
sufficient quantities to increase rather
than decrease its bulk and power. The
engine is expected to drive the aero
drome at the rate Of 100 miles per
hour, and also run dynamo, which
will supply a current for lighting and
cooking purposes. The paddle wheels
are on each side of the car, are 5 feet
6 inches in diameter, and are made OF
aluminium with steel braces. Above
the wheels and running in a curve
from one end of the machine to the
other are the wings or sails extend
ing twenty-four feet from the car. In
the stern is fixed double rudder, one
for the purpose of raising or lowering
the air Ship, and the other to steer 1t
to the right or left.
Should Prof. Langley succeed with
his aerodrome, although at present
secretary of the Smithsonian lnsti-
tute, and holder of honary degrees
from the highest universities at home
and abroad, he will die famous as hav-
ing solved the question of aero
dynamics. Prof. Langley was born IN
New England sixty-nine years ago.