The Washington herald., 1909-08-29


Upon the ends of the shafts bronze castings,
also hinged to each other; thus forming an apron
two feet wide by eight long, hanging upright in the
water each side of the hull.
A FTER this was done. the engine taken off
n the blocks where it had been doing the mental
work of a machine shop, and installed, and the
heavy main-shaft put into place in several bronze
bearings. This shaft extended along the cockpit,
lust above high water line, and was connected
to the engine by wood-fbre gears-adopted Tor
quietness.
with putting in the oiling arrangements, and on
the third after a close examination OF all the
parts turned on the gasolene, and started up the
engine. Almost from the first revolution, he was
assured of success; but in what degree, he could
not determine. The cams upon the shaft, being
set at alternating throws, caused an undulation OF
the big vertical plates hanging down alongside
the hull. similar to the motion OF an eel and
raised a wind that threatened to blow the side
walls of their house down about their ears.
Thunder exclaimed Thorne, edging away
from the rapidly Tapping WINGS There ought to
be a million in it anyway; see the dust Il
raises"
After half hours running, Hooker stopped
the engine, clambered out of the craft and went
hurriedIy from one bearing to another; examin
ing them for possible defects. Those he found
were of minor Importance and quickly remedled
Then while waiting for the dust and smell OF
burned gasolene to subside he went outside and
sumped down upon block by his partners SIDE
"Old man, she's going to be wonder' he sail
exultingly. "She's going to make an awful dis
turbance in marine affairs
9Th huh. / guess she IS, responded lnOIhe, A
her cavortings in the air any indication why,
there's wind enough coming from those blades to
blow your brains out actually think that II they
we're out horizontally, she'd raise from the
ground"
'Billy" exclaimed Hooker, slapping Thorne
resoundng blow upon his broad back, that's the
brightest idea you ever gave vent to. | believe.
that if a pair of aeroplanes were applied to that
boat and we can get anywhere near the speed out
of her we expect, could raise her out of the
water at least two-thirds of her draught Then
we'd have only air resistance to contend with and
still have the water for plates to act against
Why I'll bet Wen make hundred and fifty miles
an hour out of her before we're DONE
Within week, they had constructed pair OF
planes. which extended from the extreme bow,
back TO the middle of the cockpit These planes
were built of sectional blades of aluminium, which
shut together like the sticks of fan, with the
small ends at the bow. BY means of levers, OPP
Grated from the interior of the pit, they could be
made TO spread out the water at an angle of
thirty degrees, any distance to fifteen feet from
either side.
"She certainly looks like bird" said Thorne
admiringy, he walked around in front OF the
bow after the wings had been completed. l won
der what she'll do in the water?"
'eWateri" exclaimed Hooker. That's fact!
We've got to launch her. and I've never given it a
thought She isn't very heavy, but still, we've
only four hands to do the trick. And it'll have to
be done at night, Wen have every inquisitive
within fifty miles hanging around to take