New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-09
: AIRSH|P COAST GUARD.
Signal Corps to Make Plans For
Atlantic Seaboard Defense.
AEROPLANES AS AUxiLIARIES.

Balloon Houses to Be Erected at
Strategic Points Along the Coast,
Which Is to Be Divided Into Zones
With Dirieibies In Each Zone.
= The creation of big fleet Of war
balloons, with depots at strategic
points along the coasts of the United
States in which the aerial craft may
be housed between flights, Is the task
set for Major George O.. Squier of the
signal corps, says a Washington dis
patch. Major Squier recently received
instructions to prepare plans for the
aerial defense of the Atlantic coast,
and he set to work. enthusiastically.
The plans when completed and APP
proved will serve as model for the
Pacific and gulf coasts.
The war department is convinced,
In the light of the achievement of the
Zeppelin balloon, that the era of aerial
navigation has arrived. 1t hopes that
congress also will awake to a realiza-
zion Of the fact and that appropria-
lions will be made sufficient to permit
this government to keep pace with the
European nations. 1t is in anticipa-
tion of favorable action by congress
that the signal corps has been in
Structed to prepare the plans.
While Major Squier has not yet gone
into the technicalities Of the matter,
he has general idea Of the manner
In which the plan will be worked out
The coast will be separated into
ellipses approximating $50 miles in
length, and at each end Of these will
be built two or three balloon houses
and supply depots. The houses will
be placed with view to close coop
ovation with the artillery depots or
zones, thus gaining protection and be-
Ing quickly reached whenever the men
behind the big guns discover the ne
cessity Of accommodating the enemy's
position by the use OF balloon.
The balloon houses will be built in
groups, so that when it is found expe~
d1ent to concentrate two or three air
ships at given point there will be &C.
COMMUNICATIONS for them A dirigible is
safe while in the air and even if it's
engine should become disabled can be
operated as free balloon. 1t is In
landing or when at anchor in an ex-
posed position that it is in danger
from winds, and houses are an abso-
lutte necessity.
1t is intended that a coast dirigible
Nhn11 not "a re- OF
cept in cases Of extremity and that the
sailing distance shall be 1875 miles
south and 1875 miles north from its de-
pot. In this manner the entire coast
from Maine to Florida will be patrol
led in war, and it Will be practically
impossible for hostile fleet to APP
proach the United States without be-
ing discovered long before the senti-
nels on land could see the vessels.
Once discovered the fleets movements
could be watched with safety and it's
maneuvers be sent the length of the
coast. -:
The plans Will include an elaborate
system Of vertical searchlights, by
which the airships will be guided dur
ing night flights. These will mark the
various batteries and the balloon de-
pots, and they also will be used in
signaling the swift flying ships over
head
The dirigibles that congress will be
asked to provide will be the equals of
the best war balloons now in use in
Europe. The envelopes will be not less
than 200 feet long, twice the length of
the United States dirigible No. 1, re-
Gently purchased by the war depart
ment from Captain Baldwin. Dirigible
No. 1, Major Squier explained. is mere
ly practice ship and bears small re-
semblance to the finished fliers that are
contemplated in the coast defense plan
= In order to support the dirigibles
and act as couriers between the va
rlous depots and artillery stations it is
thought that the plan will call for a
small mobile feet Of aeroplanes. This
phase of the proposed measures has
not yet been taken up, although Off
GERS of the signal corps believe that
the aeroplane could be used to advan-
tage when quick flights were neces-
sary for the carrying Of orders or the
transportation Of officers It would
be used practically altogether as an
auxiliary, and its use would relieve
the dirigible Of certain duties, permit
ting the balloon to give it's entire time
to patrol work.
If congress can be prevailed upon
sto look with favor on the signal corps
y proposal steps will be taken to chart
the air currents along the coast. 1t is
believed that the air currents are as
sharply defined as the currents of the
ocean. While they are not so stable
1t is held that their general trend car
be determined.
There are so many expensive details
such as these that the cost will be eX
tremely heavy in creating such al
aerial fleet.
Clothes and the Vacation.