The Hawaiian gazette., 1911-12-19
DIRIGIBLE MAY
Be BROUGHT HERE
Melvin vanlman Writes Of the.
Possibilities from Military
Point Of View.

A passcngercarrying diriRiblc air
ship, which can be converted into
war machine in short space Of time,
may be brought 10 Honolulu IN the
early part Of next year by Mtlvin vani-
man, inventor Of the "Arkon" type
Of airship, in which he proposes to
cross the Atlantic. Melvin Vaniman Is
not new to Honolulu, having been an
expert photographer here about ten
years ago, his speciality being the tax
ing Of pictures Of the city from high,
and, frequently, almost inaccessible
places. One Of his pictures taken from
the topmast of ship lying at anchor
in Naval Row is still regarded as one of
the best panoramas Of Honolulu and
has had worldwide circulation.
In a letter to Secretary Wood of the
promotion committee Mr.. Vaniman says
that during all his travels in New Zea-
land, Australia, France, Germany, Italy,
Austria, Algeria and the Arctics, he has
never forgotten the Paradise of the
Pacific, and 1T is the one spot to which
he and his wife expect to gravitate
when his atrenuous life of pioneering
the air is over. 81 have always said
that Hawaii is where Adam and Eve
had their garden adds Mr. Vaniman
As to his airship plans Mr.. Vanimar
SAYS that he mad a very interesting
trial with his new airship, with which
he expects to cross the Atlantic some
time. Owing to the lateness of the sea
son and some minor changes he wishes
to make in the airship, it was decided
to postpone the departure until early
spring.
He says that the proposition of bring
ing an airship to Horplulu, is one OF
which he believes his associate, f. A
Sieberling Will approve. Mr.. Sieberlinl
is president of the board of trade Of
Akron, Ohio, and president of the Good
year Tire and Rubber Company, $l5,
100000 corporation. He is am inven
, tor and is very enthusiastic over the
future of aeronautieal science. Both arr
taking up the question of dirigibles fol
carving passengers for service from
mainland cities, and if necessary ar
rangements could be made in Honolulu
Uney WOulu ndNS nv hSoNiN'NNJ - ''--
up the project.
The two inventors are just now busy
, in building movable steel sheds TO
military purposes, and his plan for Ho
nolulu would involve the construction
/ of a ship of the military type, so ar
ranged that the cabins for carrying
passengers could be easily removed, an
: the airship used for war purposes. IL
/ also recommends housing the airship i
one of their movable steel sheds, whic
are now being used by the Frenel
: Russian and Spanish governments.
''Our first operations in Honolul
$ could be from such shed, says MI
y Vaniman. sand if it is found desirabl
after six-month S trial, a permanen
building could be constructed at Hont
: lulu. and the movable shed taken
: any one of the Islands desired. Nj
Q object in doing this, would be not
: launch out in too expensive an installi
j tion at first. Honolulu itself seems
Q me to be the most desirable locatio
J. from which to work permanently.
: Zone of my principal reasons for on
) present campaign in crossing the A
lantie is to demonstrate the use of tn
! dirigibles for military purposes, hay
? ing ultimately in view the building G
=, y these airships for the United State
Z Navy.
y .'Some of your Hawaiian friend
- were here and saw the Akron, l do nj
> remember their names, but one of the
a is in the same Office with Mr.. Adam
A. an old friend of mine who is very mt
% mate with Captain Sanders, one
LII 81,