Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-06
Zeppelin, Encouraged, Will
Build improved Airship.
FUNDS TO BE FURNISHED
Government Sends Aid and Public
Subscribes Freely.
SOME COMMENTS BY EXPERTS
Farman, Aeroplane Man, Thinks Ac-
cident to German Monster Con-
demns Rigid Balloon Type.

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN. August Sit is
immense dlrigible balloon was totally de-
stroyed yesterday. is very much affected
and encouraged by the generally express
ed sympathy and offers of financial as
sistance. and has ordered work begun at
once on an improved airship, to be known
as Zeppelin No. %
The King of Wurttemberg called on
Count Zeppelin at his hotel here today
and conveyed to the Aeronaut the per-
sonal regret of Emperor William over the
destruction yesterday Of the counts air.
ship at Echterdingen.
Royalty Grieves, Too.
The count today received the following
telegram from Emperor William:
Il have read with the deepest regret OF
the destruction of your balloon by
storm, and l wish you TO know of my
cordial sympathy in your misfortune. All
the more since and all Germany thought
We had every reason to believe we could
congratulate you on the glorious reaiiZa-
tion OF your splendid epoch-making
achievement. Nevertheless, what you
have accomplished must be recognized as
of the highest order. and this must be a
comfort TO you in this catastrophe"
Funds Will Be Furnished.
BERLIN. August 6.-In addition to the
governmental grant of sl2o.0Oo to Count
Zeppelin for the construction of another
airship, II appears probable that the count
will be given a greater sum for the con-
struction of a new dirigible on the model
of the one that was destroyed yesterday
and for extensive experiments with new
ideas. The national pride has made the
work of Count Zeppelin Its own and al
most every city in the empire has opened
-1,li c,rh int
the count
All Deplore Air Tragedy.
All the morning papers devote editorial
articles to the destruction Of Count Yep
pelin's airship. They deplore the tragic
downfall of the hopes of the gifted fnven-
tor. but assure him. of the sympathy and
support of the whole OF Germany. The
hope is expressed that he will be able to
carry out the reliability trial with . Yep
pelin No. ).
The Society for the Study of Airships
has started a national fund in aid OF
Count Zeppelin, to enable him TO construct
another airship. Badges. bearing a por-
trait of the count. will be placed on sale
throughout Germany.
Farman Thought 'Twould Happen.
NEW YORK, August 6.-Henry Far
man. after reading the account Of the
accident to Count Zeppelins dirigible bal
pected would happen. He holds that
balloon with SO large surface for resist
ance cannot be made strong enough to
withst and a wind fifty miles velocity or
more when 1t is anchored to the ground.
That will always be the fate Of all
large balloons" said he. When struck
by strong wind they will be torn from
their anchorage and lost or II held to the
earth will be torn to pieces. In my opin-
ion. tine German government will never
undertake to build another balloon of the
Zeppelin type. The only possible way to
insure safety of such a craft would be TO
keep it in a shed on the water and take 1t
out only in the very best weather
1T is quite possible that ii was struck
by lightning or charged with electricity
| to such a degree that ii was set on hre oy
sparks. Every one who has had eXpe-
rience in balloons knows that they become
charged. and that electric sparks often
leap from one cord to another at great
attitudes. There is. however. little danger
from this until the balloon touches the
earth. and then there is often danger or
sufficient sparks TO ignite the gas. / have
had several frights from such conditions.
but have never known OF a balloon being
exploded from electricity
AS TO the aeroplane. he said. In his opin-
ion IL would soon be developed to a point
where it would be more practical than the
dirigibe.
1T will be quite easy he said. Ito take
care of an aeroplane In any wind after q
little. In landing in a heavy wind IL
would be easy to strip the cloth from the
planes and then the wind would have no
effect on the frame and motor. Future
machines will be made with that idea in
view"
Something About Zeppelin.
Count Zeppelin is seventy years old
and a retired army officer. He was
twenty five years old when he was do.
tailed as a lieutenant Of cavalry TO OBJ
servation duty with the Union army In
the American civil war. He accom-
panied the cavalry brigade commanded
by Carl Schurz, and his first balloon
ascent 1T is said. was made in a cap
tive balloon sent up to observe the
Confederate line. After the Austro-
Prussian war and the war with France.
IN botb of which he served with dis.