The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-10-07
AIRSH|PS GOOD
IN LIGHT WINDS
In a Strong Wind, However,
the Best of Them Would Be
Driven Backward.

Berlln, oct 6.-Ihe science OF aerlal nav
igatiOn, at least in Germany, has reached
a point where many of the most prominent
investigators are asking themselves in
which direction they shall pursue their ex-
periments. The problem of steering is sat
| isfactorily solved. but there remains the
| important question of the conquest of the
contrary currents of the air, and this
raises the issue between the advocates OF
Lighter than the air. and heavier than
the air.
Balloons inflated with gas are generally
regarded here as having nearly, if not
quite, attained the final stage of their pos
sibilities, which, as is contended, although
marvellous in comparison with the posi-
ton of only five years ago. still leaves
much to be achieved before the air can be
said to be mastered.
Restricted to Light Winds.
All three systems, the rigid, the semi
rigid and the flexible, representing respec-
lively the Siderable balloon of Count Sep
pilin. the German aeronaut. the military
balloon and that of Major Won Parseval,
have been and still are being tested. All
have given evidence of the fact that in
light winds and otherwise favorable
weather. they may be steered and maneu-
vered with great facility. Not one OF
them, however, has on any occasion VEN
tured into the air when strong wind was
blowing, for the good reason that their
steersmen are aware that their weak mo-
tive power would not permit progression.
The greatest speed attained by any of
them, and this applies also to French bal
looms, has not exceeded, In round figures,
twenty-eight miles an hour and at that
rate in such a wind, they would be driven
backward Even the Zeppelin. which is
credited with speed of thirty-three or
thirty-four miles an hour, would do little
more than hold its own.
Cigar Shape Favored.
AS to form, the cigar shape maintains
its favor but the manner of construction,
on which it Is argued depends the capacity
of the balloon to remain in the air, is var
led In Zeppelin's balloon, the envelope
is entirely of aluminium covered with silk
and rubber; in the military airship the
lower portion of the main body OF the
main envelope is of metal covered with
silk and rubber. the ends and the upper
portion being of ordinary balloon material;
while Parsevars balloon is entirely COM
posed of flexible material, similar to that
used in spherical balloons
The voyage of the Parseval and mill
tary balloons, as well as the French air
ships, all OF which are either sem-rigid or
flexible have been limited to slightly over
three hours, owing to the forward end of
the envelope gradually collapsing through
the escape of gas, thus presenting con-
cave surface to the dlrection IN when
the balloon is steered and preventing fur
Their progress.
Count Zeppelin's Alrship.
On the other hand, the Zeppelin, even
after the escape of considerable guam
tity of gas, retains its shape and is able
to proceed. Count Zeppelin asserts that
he can attain a velocity of about thirty
four miles an hour, with the motor WORK
ing at full pressure. His further trials are
awaited with the greatest interest, for
with such a speed according to meteoro-
logical averages. which shows that on
ninety days out of every 100, the wind does
not exceed thirty miles an hour. 1t would
be possible to ascend and navigate against
ii almost daily. The navigabie balloon
would be able to pass over an enemys
camp without running much danger, as
owing to it's construction, in twelve or
thirteen compartments. each entirely sep
arate from the others, even should such
compartments be pierced by shot ana col
lapse the metal envelope would not
change its shape and the voyage could be
continued.
Military Balloon.
The other dirigibles do not possess this
advantage. The military balloon is built
on the lines of the Patria, the envelope
being composed of only one compartment.
The balloon at present in use, which con-
tains 1900 cubic metres of gas, is intend
ed only as a model for larger airships, In