Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-19
The Wellman Experiment.

Probably but few people were surprised
at the failure of the Wellman transatlan-
tic balloon expedition. The enterprise
was regarded with skepticiSm from the
outset. even as to its sincerity. doubt on
this score. however. proving unjust. as the
start Saturday demonstrated. After the
launching of the airship toward the east
virtually the only question in the public
mind was whether the men it carried
would ever be seen again alive That
they were rescued in midocean is their
great good fortune, for which they may
thank the chance that brought the
steamer Trent across their track III the
hour of their imminent PERIL No part of
their salvation from the sea is due TO the
stability or navigability of the dirigible.
From virtually the beginning of the
voyage the America was at the mercy of
the winds. The unfortunate journey con-
sisted of three legs, one, more or less
under steerage way. toward the northeast
into and along the steamer lane to d
point about midway between Cape Cod
and Cape Sable Up to this point. though
at a disappointing speed and with serious
difficulty, the dirigible was actually navi-
gated as an airship. Then at 8 o'clock
Sunday night the folly of attempting
10 propel a huge bag of gas through the
air toward long-distant goal after the,
manner of vessel was demonstrated.
The wind shifted from the southwest to
the northwest, and the balloon was
swerved at almost right angles off her
course toward the middle of the Atlantic
ocean. far out of the range of wireless
communications. feeble attempt to di
rect the course of the dirigible was made
while the wind was sweeping it toward
the southeast. but the futility of this was
shown at o'clock Monday morning,
when the wind once more swung and
blew from the northeast, SO that the
helpless craft was driven back along
course almost parallel to that of its first
direction, again out of the steamer lanes,
but fortunately perpendicular to an in
frequently Travelled line between Bermuda
and New York. Had the wind shifted
again to the northwest or to the north
during Monday the dirigible would have
been carried out of the range of the
Trent and the party might never have
been heard from again.
Stress is laid i'm Mr.. Wellman's narra-
tive of his adventure upon the misbe-
havior of the equiibrator, or ballast fuel
rope, which was regarded at the begin
ming as feature of especial ingenuity
and resource. 1t would seem that this
jointed contrivance was the greatest dan
ger. the jerks impaired TO il by the waves
straining the car and engine, and not
only retarding the speed, but threatening
the integrity of the structure. But even
without this equilbratOr device and with
the dirigible floating free of the waves
and dependent for reserve fuel and bal
last upon weights carried within the car
itself, il is seriously to be doubted
whether much better record could have
been written by the America. She was
obviously at the mercy of the winds.
travelling in the direction they blew and
unable even in the best circumstances
to make Roadway against them. This is
the fundamental defect and Limitation of
the dirigtble, which causes it to be re-
garGed with extreme doubt by those who
believe in the possibility of practicable
aerial navigation. Whether the airplane
can be developed sufficiently to make way
against adverse winds on long course
remains for experiment to determine but
this experience of Wellman and his party
serves to cast almost a conclusive doubt
upon the feasibility of accomplishing
more than chance successes in long dis
lance dirigible navigation. The fortunate
escape of these intrepid men from death
Is the on6 gratifying feature of the en-
terrrise.