The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-10-16
army HAS AN
A|RsR|P HARB0R
The Governments Home for
Aerial Craft at Fort
Omaha.

-
The first scientifically constructed In
land harbor built especially for tho
launching and landing of balloons and
A1rships is receiving the finishing touches
OF skilled workmen at Fort Omaha. head
quarters station OF the United States sig
nal corps, and the contractors expect to
turn 1t over TO Uncle Sam during the
last week III September. Aeronautic sta
tons built by other countries are obso-
lete IN comparison with the up-to-date,
inodernlS constructed airship yard to be
used by The signal corps. Every scientific
appliance known to aerial navigation has
been adopted in the construction of this
station and ii vii! be the nnest in the
world.
The signal corps has been at work for
more than two years building and equip-
ping the balloon station at Fort Omaha
and even the people in the vicinity of the
old fort did not realize what was being
accomplished and the mammoth steel
frame of the balloon house began to rise
before their eyes. A finished b%allooning
dock is as important an adjunct to the
safe and successful launching of airships
as the harbor is to the safety of ocean
going craft, and the officers of the sig
nal corps were far sighted enough to
comprehend this fact when they began
their preparations to compet with other
SS.S1 Sd1lISS III pdJlooll SllIu slllslIll
experiments.
Congress has steadfastly declined to
view with sincerity the balloon work of
the signal corps and for that reason it has
not been possible to secure any special
appropriations for experiments or con-
struction. The Fort Omaha balloon plant
has been built entirely out of the regular
signal corps appropriation.
Inc Fort oman station now is the
headquarters of the signal corps and the
oalioon plant just being completed will
make it the source of all important ex-
periments In aerial work in the future.
The balloon house and power and gem
eratlng plants are of the most modern
design. The balloon house is designed
With a view TO offering not only a re
fuge in the time of Storm" but also to
the successful launching and docking OF
all sorts OF aerial craft. 1t is built cn-
tirely of steel and corrugated iron, and is
eQuipped with up-to-date yentilating and
safety appliances. 1t has a frontage of
~ feet and is 200 feet long. The main
hall through the center runs the entire
length of the structure, is 40 feet wide and
60 feet high. The semi-circular roof ex-
TENDS 80 feet higher, making the height
OF the building over all so feet. AT the
front of the building two steel doors,
worked on BAH bearings. and 60 feet high,
slide freely and make an opening 40 feet
.SS ~ tiSoA 40 VI lt1GI VII IL lllCi-
cadam foundation. A space 20 feet wide
on either side of the interior, running the
whole length of the building, is to be
used for aeroplanes and storage purposes.
Directly to the north of the balloon
house Is the power and generating plant.
This building is a substantial brick struc-
ture and is equipped with a 3OO-horse
power generator motor, operated by a 1900
ampere direct current, secured from the
city electric light plant, by means OF a
transformer which also forms part OF the
signal corps equipment. Pipes connect
the storage tank, pumps and balloon
house.
When it is desired to launch a balloon
OF airship the gas bag is brought to the
center Of the big balloon house and placed
In position by means of block and tackle.
Once inflated 20 or 80 signal corps men
steady the big bag by means of guy ropes
and when the aeronaut is ready to as
cend they march out through the sliding
front door, carrying the balloon with them.
All preparations for the ascent are made
under cover of q substantial building, re-
lieving anxiety about winds and atlnos-
pheric conditions.
Fifteen acres OF ground, known officially
as "Aerostatic park have been set aside
for the use of the balloon detachment All
trees have been removed from the tract
and the ground is being graded. The topo-
graphN of The county is considered espe-
cially favorable to the success of aerial
navigation aud Fort Omaha was selected
for future experiments because OF those
virtues.
Early in October the first ascension will
be made. All the balloon equipment ownea
by the government. including two dirig-
ibles and two aeroplanes. are expected to
reach the post during September. Captain
Baldwin will be on hand and many other
aeronauts. including a number of for
eigners. will be among those to witness the
ascensions. Captain Charles d'I'. Chand-
Ter, who made the flight from St. Louis
10 the coast in the America a year ago.
now is stationed at the fort and will be
among those to make ascensions at the
m~aneuVers. Colonel Glassford. m
ing the Fort Omaha signal! station, will
be in charge OF The balloon m%aneuvers.