The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-10-28

cent inventor and coustruc-
Sx - tor OF what proves 20 be a
A%$xxs& very successful dlrlgiblc
airship.
The first and initial trial OF the craft
was made from Idora Park, Oakland.
Since then several other trials have
been made. all OF which proved very
satisfactory.
No high altitude was attained by
the new aIrShlp. Captain Baldwin's
principal aim was 10 determine IL the
movements OF his ship could be- con
trollcd. lie ascertained this could be
done quite easily.
At a height Of about 700 feet he cir.
cled several times around the large
park, going both against and with the
wind, and moving at various angles.
After being up nearly an hour, Captain
Baldwin brought his ship back 90 the
starting point, and safely descended TO
earth. These trials were witnessed by
great crowds OF spectators,
Subsequent trials have also been
made, when it was demonstrated that
In every revolution of the large pro-
pellor, and in every move OF the steer
ing gear, and OF the weights which
raise or lower the vessel at will, the
plans Of the inventor have been carried
Into effect. The large propeller, hay.
Ing two metallic blades, and nearly six
feet In diameter, instead OF being
placed at the stern, f. located az the
bow OF the frame or car, rs in most
recent airships Of this type. In this
manner the airship, instead Of being
pushed through the air is pulled This
facilitates the steering as well rs rails.
ing or lowering the ship.
The balloon, by means of which the
whole machine Is raised, is somewhat
blunt cigar.shapcd. II measures hfty
four feet in length and Is seventeen
feet in diameter In the middle. The
balloon is constructed OF a very fine
quality Of silk, extremely strong and
flexible. and with the rcticuIatpd net
ting which attaches f. to the car,
weighs only ninety pounds. The bal
loon is inflated with hydrogen gas, and
ut an ordinary dstension pressure con.
talns 5000 cubic feet
To this balloon IS attached the frame
which supports the propelling and
steering mechanism. This frame
which Is made Of strong. light wood is
triangular in shape. the three ends
uniting at centre az each extreme
This frame IS forty eight feet long, and
Is very securely braced ma iashcd. II
has been very thoroughly tested and
will support 400 pounds with safety
The engine which drives the pro
pelllcr is one OF the ordinary gasoline
type, furnishes seyen horse. power, and
weighs sixty pounds. / he transmitting
mechanism is 50 adjusted and geared
as TO cause the propeller TO make lJ0
revolutions per minute. Just what
speed can be obtained under ordinary
conditions has not yet been definitely
determined by the inventor
The frame, or car, is placed directly
below the balloon about twelve feet
and weighs axty-fye pounds. The
total weight OF the a.rshlD Is 300
pounds, while It's buoyancy will lit
nearly 900 pounds. The ruddcr, which
IS rectangular In shape, five by three
and one-half feet, IS very easily manlp-
ulated from any part Of The car; and
the engine is regulated by p steel lever.
One person can very easily navigate
this arsh.p. The JerOnaut can sit
about midway Of the frame. or be may
move about freely II necessary without
disturbing the general equilibrium 10
any extent.
A weight, which can Dc shifted from
bow 20 stern. or vice versa, permits
the airshp 20 be raised or lowered at
will, feature borrowed from Zeppe-