The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-26

personal supervision of Captain Bald
win OF California, and differs in many
features from ships constructed in the
past. The gas balloon is cigar-shaped,
Of japanese silk. fifty-fOUr feet in
length and seventeen feet in diameter,
and requires 5000 cubic feet Of gas to
initiate it. The frame attachment is
thirty feet in length. 1t carries a double
cylinder seven horsepower gasoline en-
gine making 1000 revolutions a minute
10 drive the propellers. One Of the chief
features of the machine is an arrange
ment whereby the ship is pulled
through the air instead of being pushed.
To-days fight was not a trial for the
Worlds Fair S100. 900 prize
Thomas 5. Baldwin, owner of the air
ship. said tonight that Knabenshue
had made the trial ascent to-day in
stead Of himself because of the formers
light weight.
But I viii go UP myself in a few
days" added Baldwin, and I'll show
you something startling in aerial navi-
cation and maneuvering"
The Arrow, Baldwin says. is the light
est aerial craft yet designed, the COM
bined weight being between 800 and 400
pounds. He states that the accident TO
the motor was caused by the chain
which operates the two propellers slip
ping from the wheel, caused by the
speed OF the motor
OAKLAND, Oct. 25.-The Baldwin
alrship was invented by Captain 7. 5.
Baldwin, who aided DR.. Greth in the
construction Of the ship in which the
latter made a successful flight in San
Francisco. The airship was built by
Captain Baldwin in this city and was
first tested at Idora Park on August 2
OF this year. A company known as the
american Airship Company financed
ne construction Of Baldwin's machine.
and after the ship was completed the
inventor made several experimental as
tensions. all Of which were successful.
Underneath the balloon, suspended by
network Of cords. is the frame which
holds the engine. propeller and rudder
and upon which the operator stands.
This frame is fifty-two feet in length
and weighs sixty pounds. 1t is made
Of aluminium, and by a system of piano
wire guys and very light braces il is
made perfectly rigid. Just forward of
the amidship section Of the frame is the
engine, which is of the regular double
cylinder gasoline type. The engine is
geared TO the propeller by a chain and
sprOcket gear. When the engine is run
ming at fun speed the propeller makes
$50 revolutions a minute.
In one particular the Baldwin airship
differs from any heretofore invented.
This is IN the location of the rudder
and propeller. The latter instead Of be-
ing at the stern Of the ship is placed
al the bow. and the ship is pulled in
stead Of being pushed through the air
The rudder is placed at the stern. and
the inventor claims that the air forced
back from the propeller strikes the
rudder. when 1t is DETECTED and is of
great assistance in maneuvering. The
ship may be raised or lowered while in
the air by elevating or depressing the
bow. This IS done by means of a slid
ing weight, which at the will Of the
operator can be moved toward the bow
or the stern, thus raising or lowering
the bow, and when this is done the
propeller forces the ship up or brings
Il down.
Baldwin made his first successful
fight from Idora Park at s o'clock on
the morning Of August 2. He sailed in
several directions, running both with
and against the wind. and after re-
naming uD thirty minutes made a safe
landing at the starting point. After
this he made several successful trips,
thoroughly demonstrating that his ship
was under complete control.