The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-04-20
UNCLE SAM
WILL BUILD
DIRIClBLES
Bids Opened for Construction Of
Two Big Balloons for the Navy
Will Test Zeppelin
Type
By United Press.

, By United Press.
New York. April 2O--Uncle Sam to-
day opened bids for the construction
of two dirigible balloons for the Unit
! ed States navy. This is regarded as
the first step towards the testing out
by this government OF the value OF
the Zeppelin type of aircraft, which
has already played prominent part
in the European war.
Henry Woodhouse, chairman Of the
dirigible committee OF the Aero Club
Of America, received from the navy
department last month batch of pro
posed blanks and through the efforts
of Mr. Woodhpuse, it is believed New
York aeronautical circles have become
interested In this latest effort on the
party of the navy to bring its aircraft
efficiency up to the high standard
maintained by European powers.
The proposals call for the manufac-
ture of two dlrigibles OF the non.rigid
type, which will not be over IT'S feet
long by 50 feet high and 35 feet wide,
capable of carrying load of 2OOO
pounds or more. Uncle Sans new
dirigibles must also be able to ascend
to at least 5000 feet with full load
without disposing of ballast and must
be able, also. to come down not slower
than six feet per second.
MS not an easy matter to build an
airship under such rigid qualifications
Not Only must the craft have a speed
Of 25 miles or SO per hour, but must
be able to keep up such speed for at
least two hours. She will carry a car
with an enclosed body. sufficient to
carry a crew Of eight men.
Another unusual feature of the new
navy airships will DE their ability, as
specified in the proposals of contrac-
tors, TO rest lightly on the water with
out damage. and also. to move through
the water at slow speed
When completed. the new dirigibles
will be set up at the navy aeronautical
station at Pensacola, Fla. where a
number OF trials viii be made to see
that the aircraft comes up to all re-
quirements. Some Of the stunts they |
must perform are interesting.
The first test VIII be for speed, with |
the dirigible loaded to capacity. She
win make five runs over measured
course and navy officers win thus BE
enabled to check up accurately on
her speed. The second test will show
the crafts ability to Climb" from the
surface of the water up to and beyond
the specified altitude at full speed.
Once in the air. her height win be
taken with barograph and she will
begin the descent in an effort to make
the six-feet-a-second requirement spec
flied in the contract After these tests
are made. the airship will be required
to fly steadily for two hours speed
of 25 miles per hour or more. She
must. during this trial, maintain a rea-
sonably true course across 15-m.le
puffy wind. In this same Is mile
wind. the dirgible must be brought
to and moored to mooring mast, re-
leased after an hour, resume fIigt and
then return to the housing she'd The
final test will be for leakage. The
condition of the contract specifies that
the big balloon must not leak more
than per cent IN twenty-four hours.
The navy department is throwing
upon the contractor the responsibility
for training a pilot and crew, drawn
from the navy ranks, who will be
taught to manage the big aircraft.
Until the contractor has given them
4 thorough course in aSronautics,
$4,000 Of the contract price viii be
withheld
The. diriEibles specified inthe nayy's
contracts arc the first bought by this
government and New York dirigible
enthusiasts regard the outlook as very
encouraging.