IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO LOCOMOTION GENERALLY
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin O'Neale Stratford, Earl of Allborough, of
Stratford Lodge, in the County of Wicklow, in Frelaud, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO LOCOMOTION GENERALLY"
Soaled the 9th October 1857, and dated the 14th April 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin O'Neale Strat-
ford, Earl of Aldborough, at the Office of the Cominissioners of Patents,
with his Petition, on the 14th April 1857.
I, BENJAMIN O'NEALE STRATFORD, Earl of ALDBOROUGH, of Stratford Lodge,
in the County of Wicklow, in Ireland, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN THE APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH. PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO LOCOMOTION GENERALLY,"
to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of further improvements in the Inventions described
by me in the Specifications of Letters l'atent granted to me, bearing date
respectively the 30th of January 1854, the 20th of March 1855, and the 4th
of September 1856, which further improvements are as follows:-
A further application of the principle of utilizing the weight of the aeronauts
or crew of aerial vessels, or of a certain number of them, and also the weight
which is required to be carried in the aerial vessel,or a certain portion thereof,
the weight of the navigators or crew, or of a certain number of them. is
Pine 811

page_text: utilized or made to produce, or to assist in producing, a rotary motion in the
rotary aerostat, which is described in the Specification of my Patent, dated
4th of September 1856, and which is represented in Figure 24 of the Drawings
which accompany that Final Specification. My additional improvements
consist in the application and use of the weight, in such a manner as to com-
municate an oscillating or vibrating motion, or to assist in communicating
such a motion to the acrostat, by causing it to turn only the half or quarter of
a revolution in one direction, and then the half or quarter of a revolution in
the opposite direction, or it may be any portion of a revolution, either more
than the half circle or less than the quarter circle, or in the application and
use of the weight, in such a manner as to cause the fore part of the aerostat
to rise gradually and then to strike as forcibly and as quickly as conveniently
may be downwards against the air, in a manner as nearly as possible similar
to that in which the locomotive aerostat which is described in my Specification
bearing date the 20th of March 1855, and which is represented in Figures 5
and 6 of the Drawings which accompany that Specification, is made to act
or to strike the air; but in aërial vessels in which I utilize the weight of the
crew or cargo, or articles requiring to be carried, or a portion thereof, I
prefer placing the hull, or that part of the aerial vessel which contains these,
within the main air channel, or as high as the lowest parts of the sides of the
main air channel, which is indicated by the letter H in the first aforesaid
Figure, and in that class of vessels which most nearly resemble the rotary
aërostat, which is represented in Figure 24 of the Drawings which accompany
the Final Specification of my Patent which bears date the 4th of September
1856, I prefer forming the main air channel open at bottom, except so far
as that portion of the vessel which is occupied by the navigators or crew, and
´by the cargo or weight to be carried occupies a portion of the lower side of
this channel. The weight may however be made use of to communicate motion
.to the wings of the aerostat, or to assist in communicating this motion, and
also in communicating motion to the propellers, these terms being understood
as defined in my former Specifications aforesaid when the hull is placed below
the acrostat, in a position similar to that in which it is placed in any of the
several modifications of acrial vessels which are described in my former Speci-
fications. I make use of the term hull, in the same sense as that in which [
have used it in my former Specifications, that is to say, I make use of this term
to express that part of the aerial vessel which contains or sustains the navigators
or crew and the cargo or articles to be carried, and the passengers, if there be
any, in addition to tlie person navigating the vessel. The manner in which
I prefer making use of the weight to communicate motion to the nerostat in

page_text: most descriptions of aërial vessels, is as follows:-I divide the cargo or dead
weight to be carried, or any convenient portion thereof, into two equal parts,
and I plac these in cases, or fix them on frames, which are capable of
sliding in grooves or chanrels, or of running on rails, which are placed
horizontally, in this form,
or nearly so; but the angle at b may be eithor greater or less, according to
the precise form and construction of the vessel. The extremities a, a, are
in front, and the angle bis behind, or abaft the contre of gravity of the aërial
vessel, and in the central line, that is to say, in a line drawn precisely
through the centre of the hull, from stem to stern. Cords are attached to
two or more of the pieces of wood which form or sustain the upper side or
roof of the main air channel, in a similar manner to that in which the pieces
of elastic wood which are indicated by the letters h, h, sustain or form the
upper side of the main air channel in the several forms of acrostats which
are represented in the Figures in the Drawings which accompany my former
Specifications aforesaid, in which these pieces of elastic wood are represented
and indicated by these letters; these pieces of wood being sufficiently strength-
ened for that purpose, and supported in a suitable manner. One or more of
these cords is attached on the right or starboard side, and the other, or a
number equal to those which are attached on the right or starboard side are
attached on the left or larboard side of the main air channel, all being behind
the centre of gravity of the vessel. From this cord, or froin these cords, or by
means of these, the persons employed to communicate motion to the aerostat
by their weight, suspend themselves, one or more on the starboard side, and
another, or an equal number of persons on the larboard side, the scales, as I
may term them, being weighted so as to equalise the weight in both scales
with precision. By this means, the weight of the persons causes the hinder
portion of the aerial vessel to assume a position lower in comparison with the
fore portion than it did previously, and the fore portion is comparatively
raised. Other cords are attached to one or more of the pieces of wood which
sustain or for the upper side of the main air channel on the starboard side,
and which are in front of the centre of gravity of the aerial vessel, similar
cords being similarly attached on the larboard side, and from these the persons
employed to work the vessel now suspend themselves, and thereby cause the
fore part of the aerostat to strike downwards against the air. The first notion
should be performed as slowly, and the last mentioned as quickly, as the
nature of the means employed will permit, or at least it should be so, generally

page_text: speaking, butall these movements must be modified according to circumstances.
When desirable, either the entire or any suitable number of persons employed
to work the vessel may cause their weight to act on the windward sideduring
strong gale of wind, so as to depress the windward side comparatively with
the leeward side, or so as to prevent the force of the wind causing the vessel
to incline too much towards the leeward side. I believe that it will be always
necessary in nörial navigation to have the means of doing this, as have more
fully mentioned in my former Specifications aforesaid. The cases or frames in
or upon which the dead weight is placed, as already mentioned, must be
capable of sliding in the grooves or ruuning on the rails with the greatest
freedom and with the least friction possible, so that they may slide or run
cither towards the foremost extremities of the grooves or rails, or towards the
hinder extremities by the force of gravity, in proportion as the fore or hinder
part of the aerostat is depressed comparatively with the opposite portion,or as
the angle of inclination with the horizon is changed, and so assist in increasing
the effect produced by the weight of the persons who work the vessel. Cords
may be attached to the cases or frames in or upon which the weight is placed
in such a manner that the persons who work the vessel may draw it in the
required direction, and so assist the action of gravity, but I believe that
the latter will be found sufficient. If it is desired that on oscillating or
vibrating motion be communicated to the aerostat, instead of that which I
Iave described, I place a groove or rail across the lower side of the main air
channel, at right angles with its central line, that is to say, at right angles with
a line drawn though the centre longitudinally, or fro.n stem to stern, and on
this the disposable dead weight is made capable of running or sliding, either
towards the starboard or larbord side, and the cords from which the persons
who work the vessel must suspend themselves alternately are suitably fixed on
the starboard and larboard sides f the main air channel; or instead of this
arrangement a vibrating or oscillating motion may be communicated to the
aerostat by means of a segment or portion of a circle, furnished with steps, or
so formed that the person or persons whose office it is communicate motion to
the aerostat by micans of their weight may cause the aerostat to perform a
half or quarter revolution, on a similar principle, or nearly so, to that in
which the revolution of the rotary acrostat which is described in my Final
Specification aforesaid, and which is represented in Figure 24 of the Drawings
which accompany thai Final Specification, is caused to revolve, and when the
aerostat has performed that portion of a revolution which is required in one
direction, the persons working it may turn round, and by moving in a similar
manner in the opposite direction they may cause the aerostat to perform the

page_text: required portion of a revolution in that direction, and the disposable dead
weight may in this case also be made to slide in a groove, or run on a rail, in
such a manner as to increase the effect produced by the weight of the person
or persons so o working the vessel. In aerial vessels which are worked on this
principle I generally prefer constrasting the wings in the form of lateral pro-
longations of the aerostat, or of the outer or upper compartment, which is
indicated by the letter Dinthe several Drawings which accompany my former
Specifications aforesaid, in which this outer or upper compartment is repre-
sented; and I prefer attaching additional wings, which are formed as nearly
as possible like those which are represented in section in Figure 1 of the
Drawings which accompany my Final Specification of my Patent dated 4th of
September 1856, and which are described in that Specification, and are iudi-
cated in the Figure by the letters E, E, to the fore parts of the first-mentioned
wings, one of these additional wings being attached to each of the first-men-
tioned, which I will term the main wings, and these additional wings are actu-
ated by means of cords attached to them, the opposite extremities of which are
drawn or pulled by the persons who work the vessel at the same moment that
they apply their weight, in the manner described, the additional wing on the
starboard side being caused to strikedownwards against the air simultaneously
with the starboard main wing, and the additional larboard wing being caused
to strike simultaneously with the larboard main wing, the weight of the persons
who work the vessel assisting to give force to the strokes of these additional
wings also. I also prefer making use of alau spuriæ, or small additional wings,
which are attached to the fore parts of the additional wings already mentioned,
one ala spuria being attached to each of these wings. The alæ spuriæ are
designed to act the part, as nearly as possible, which I believe the alæ spurie
act in the wings of birds, and which is more fully explained in the Specification
of my Patent bearing date the 30th of January 1854, and when these are
used, the manner in which I prefer actuating them in aërial vessels of this
description is by means of pinions or small wheels, to which motion is com-
municated by gearing with a rack or segment, which is attached to each of
the frames in or upon which the disposable dead weight is placed, and which
slide or run either forwards or backwards, or towards either side, accordingas
one or other of the plans I have described is adopted, by the force of gravity,
as the aerostat is caused to oscillate or vibrate towards either side, or as the
fore and after portions are caused to rise and descend alternately, in such a
manner that each of the ale sparis performs either one, two, or a greater
number of strokes while the wing to which it is attached is rising, and it
peforms either one or a greater number of strokes while the wing to which

page_text: "
it is attached is striking downwards against the air. Neither the additional.
wings which I have mentioned nor the ale spuriae are, however, indispensable,
but I prefer making use of these in most descriptions of aerial vessels which
are worked on this principle.
My further improvements also consist in the construction and adaptation
of air channels, in such a manner that they may assist the action or increase
the effect of the weight of the navigators and cargo, or of a portion thereof,
when this weight is utilized, as has been already heroin described, these
channels being so constructed and placed, and having such inclinations,
that by admitting the external air alternately into the starboard an larboard
channels, a tendency to turn towards the starboard or larboard side shall
.be communicated to the aerostat in such a manner that this tendency to
turn alternately in the one direction and in the opposite shall act conjointly
with the tendency to perform a partial revolution, which is communicated
to the aerostat by means of the application of the weight.
'
My improvements further consist in constructing the hulls of such aörial
vessels as have the hulls attached below the aerostat of a double form, on a
principle as nearly as possible similar to that on which the twin hulls are con-
structed in the vessels for navigating the water, which are described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, bearing date the 2nd of June
1854, my object being to unite as far as practicable the advantages of the
sharp prow with those of the bluff prow, and to admit the current of air as
it passes backwards from the front as the aërial vessel is impelled forwards
as much as possible under the centre of gravity, thereby better to assist or
to have increased force in assisting to sustain the weight.
My present improvements also consist in forming the vaucs of rotary
aerostats, which are in other respects similar to those which are indicated by
the letters 1, 7, in Figure 20 of the Drawings which accompany the Speci-
fication of my Patent of 20th of March 1855, and which are indicated by the
same letters in the Figures in which rotary acrostats are represented in
the Drawings which accompany the Specification of my Patent of 4th Sep-
tember 1856, and which are inflated in a similar manner to those, with an
increased inclination at the hiuder part or with a slight curvature increasing
towards the hinder part, this increase of inclination or curvature being gradual
or in a regularly increasing proportion; and also in forming these vanes
concave on that side on which they are required to act with most force
against the external air when the aerostat revolves,and convex on the opposite
side, the concavity on the one side and convexity on the other increasing
gradually or in a regularly increasing proportion from the fore to the hinder

page_text: extremity of each vane; and also in furnishing these vanes on the convex side
with valves opening inwards, and so constructed that they shall yield to a
certain pressure of the external air on the convex side, and so admit the
external air when it exerts a certain pressure against them; and I place valves
opening outwards on the concave side of each vane, the latter valves being
so constructed that they shall admit of the escape of a portion of the air
contained within, if at auy time or under any circumstances the internal
pressure shall become so great as to be likely to be injurious to the envelope
or covering of these vanes; the general principles upon which these valves are
formed, and their use, being similar to that of the valves described in the
Specification of my Patent of 4th September 1856, and which are indicated
by the letter in the Drawings which accompany that Specification. My
present improvements, so far as regards these valves, consist only in their
more especial adaptation to the vanes of rotary aerostats. I prefer that these
vanes should be furnished with air channels so constructed as to permit the
air to pass through them from the convex side of each vane to the concave
side, but not in the opposite direction; and 1 effect this by placing valves
opening inwards at the extremity of each channel which is at the convex
side of each vane, and by placing valves opening outwards at the extremity
of each channel which is at the concave side of the vane; but these channels
are not absolutely necessary.
My present improvements also consists inconstructing rotary aerostats with
either one, two, or more oblique air channels between each of the vanes in
addition to the oblique air chanuels which I described in the Specification of
my Patent of 20th March 1855, the apertures of which are between the
vanes of the rotary acrostat. The fore apertures of these channels are in a
line, the one behind the other, and each is at an equal distance from the vane
on either side, and the hinder apertures are also in the same line, and each
is at an equal distance from the vane on either side.
My present improvements also consist in adapting curtains to rotary
acrostats, and also to aerostats which are constructed in a similar manner to
that which is represented in Figures 17 and 18 of the Drawings which
accompany the Specification of my Patent of 20th March 1855, in such a
manner that they shall not only serve as a protection or partial protection to
the acrostat when at anchor in an exposed situation, in a similar manner to
that in which the curtains described in the Specification of my Patent of
4th September 1856 are made to serve, but I form a portion of these curtains
in such a manner that it is capable of being drawn over the fore aperture of
the main air channel while the aerial vessel is voyaging or suspended in the

page_text: air, in such a manner that the air shall be either completely or partially
prevented from entering at the fore aperture of the main air channel, the
object being to assist in stopping or retarding the progress of the aerial vessel
either previous to descending or at any time that this may be desirable; and
also in making use of curtains, not only to afford a protection or partial
protection to the aerostats, which are represented in Figures 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, and 16 of the Drawings which accompany the Specification of my
Patent of 20th March 1855, and those of a form and construction similar or
approximating to those which are described in the Specification of my Patent
of 4th September 1856, but I form these curtains in such a manner that a
portion can be drawn across the upper aperture of the main air channel when
desirable while sailing, or while they are suspended in the air; and curtains
may also be adapted for similar purposes to the ascensional acrostats which
are represented in Figures 21, 22, 28, and 24 of the Drawings which
accompany the Specification of my Patent of 30th of January 1854, and to
that represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings which accompany
the Specification of my Patent of 20th March 1855, but they will be less
likely to be found necessary for these latter.
My present Invention also consists in the construction of retractile tubes, or
of two tubes, the one being capable of sliding within the other, or it may be
a greater number capable of sliding within each other, with a spiral spring
within them, the upper end of the spring being attached to the upper
extremity of the upper tube, and a rod being attached to the lower end of
the spring in such a manner that the lower end of the rod projects downwards
to a sufficient extent to strike the ground or any obstacle which might be
likely to injure the aerial vessel or machine, so as to give warning of the same
to the navigator or navigators in the following manner, that is to say -
This rod being continued upwards within the spiral spring, and its upper end
projecting to a sufficient distance above the spring and the tubes, when the
lower end strikes any object the spring is thereby contracted, and the upper
end of the rod is caused to strike against a bell or other alarm. Iform the lower
extremity of the rod of, a hemispherical form, or nearly so, or of such a form
as, may be least liable to catch in any object against which it may strike,
except when a plank is used in addition, as herein-after described. I make
use of one, two, or more of these, according to the size and construction of the
aerial vessel or machine, but I prefer making use of two or more even for
the smallest machines, and I fix the upper tube of each in any convenient
part of the. hull of the vessel, or under the seat of the aërial machine when
such, is constructed for the use. of a single aeronaut.

page_text: Another modification, and that which I generally prefer, is as follows:-I
fix the lower ends of all the rods which are used for this purpose to a plank,
in which they are firmly screwed or bolted, the lower side of this plank
being perfectly smooth, and 1 prefer that the edges should be rounded, so
as to lessen as much as possible the danger of its becoming entangled or
caught by any object against which it may strike; and I prefer generally that
this plank should be as long and as broad, or even slightly longer and broader,
than the bottom of the hull of the aerial vessel or the bottom of the macinine,
in order to ensure the plank striking any object before it can strike against
the hull of the aërial vessel or against the bottom of the machine.
My present improvements also consist in forming the frame of that portion
of aërial machines which are designed for the use of a single aeronaut which
immediately supports the acronaut and other weight to be carried, of a num-
ber of steel pieces, so formed that they can be screwed or bolted together or
taken to pieces when necessary, in such a manner that each steel piece, or as.
many as may require it, may be passed through a block or blocks, or have
any additional strengthening pieces added to them, after which these steel
pieces are screwed or bolted together again in their proper places; these steel
pieces being the principal supports of the seat upon which the aeronaut sits,
and of that portion of the machine to which the grapnels or anchors and other
weight requiring to be carried are attached, and to which the springs are
attached by means of which the wings and propellers are worked.
As regards the application of parts of my present improvements to loco-
motion generally, I unite acrostats constructed on the principles herein-before
described to vessels navigating the water, or to locomotives on land, and I
use them in conjunction with these in a manner as nearly similar as the
different form and construction of the aerostats herein-before described will
admit to that in which aerostats are used in conjunction with vessels navigating
the water, or with locomotives on land, as described in the Specification of
my Patent of 2d of June 1854, for "Improvements in Locomotion on Land
and Water, &c.;" or to that in which acrostats are used in conjunction with
vessels navigating the water, or with locomotives on land, as described in the
Specification of my Patent of 4th September 1856, for "Improvements in
Aërial Navigation and the Apparatus connected therewith, Parts of which are
applicable to Locomotion generally;" but when so used in conjunction with.
vessels navigating the water, or with locomotives on land, I place the apparatus,
which is worked by means of the weight of the crew, or of a portion thereof,
or of the same, united with that of any convenient part of the cargo, or of any
weight requiring to. be carried in vessels navigating the water, in the hull of

page_text: the vessel; and in locomotives used on laud, 1 place the apparatus, which
is actuated by means of the weight of men employed for that purpose, or of
men in conjunction with that of any portion of the weight to be carried which
can conveniently be so utilized, in the carriage or body of the locomotive;
and when adapted to canal boats, I place this apparatus in the boat. I also
adapt an apparatus worked on the same general principles, to actuate wings
and propellers formed in a similar manner to those described in the Specifica-
tion of my Patent of 2nd of June 1854, and to those described in the Specification
of my Patent of 4th of September 1856, when such are used for the purposes
of locomotion on water or on land, as well as when they are used for aërial
navigation. When I make use of an aerostat, the fore portion of which is
caused to rise and to strike downwards alternately, with vessels navigating
the water, or with locomotives on land, I generally prefer connecting the
aerostat with the hull of the vessel, or with the boat, or with the body of the
carriage or locomotive, by means of a joint, the joint by which it is connected
being set at the top of an upright or post fixed in the hull of the vessel, or
in the boat, or in the body of the locomotive, or to pieces either jointed or
fixed to the top timbers or upper extremities of the ribs of the hull of a ship
or boat, or to the sides of a locomotive, these pieces being placed exactly
opposite to each other at each side of the vessel or locomotive, and being so
curved that they unite in the centre where the connecting joint is placed,
immediately over the central line of the vessel or locomotive, that is to say,
immediately above a line drawn through the centre from stem to stern,
or from the fore to the hinder extremity; the object. of connecting the aerostat
with the hull of the vessel or with the body of the carriage or locomotive in
this manner being to prevent the alternate rising and striking downwards of
the fore part of the aerostat being communicated to the hull of the vessel or
to the body of the carriage, or to cause this motion to be communicated to
it in the least degree possible, that is to say, that the effect may be to draw
forward the hull of the vessel or the locomotive without communicating the
upward and downward motion, or that it may communicate this latter in the
least degree possible; and for the same reason I generally cause the aerostat
to describe smaller curves or to move through a smaller portion of a circle
when usod for the purposes of locomotion on water or on land, than when
used for the purpose of aërial navigation. When I use an acrostat in con-
junction with a vessel navigating the water, I incline the aerostat generally
more or less to windward, according to the force of the wind and its direction
relatively to the course of the vessel, the upper side of the aerostat being in
such cases always to windward. In some cases I make use of a propeller

page_text: without an aerostat, the propellerbeing caused to vibrateon a similar principle
to that which is described in the Specification of my Patent of 4th September
1856, and two modifications of which are shewn in the Drawings which
accompany that Specification, where they are indicated by the letter ; but
I generally make it of a longer form in proportion than either of the modi-
fications represented in those Drawings, more especially when used for railway
cars or canal boats. And when I make use of an aerostat to which a vibrating
motion is communicated, for the purposes of locomotion on water or on land,
I prefer connecting it to the hull of the vessel or to the body of the carriage
or locomotive by means of a rod or shaft placed within a tube, in which it
is capable of turning freely, this tube being attached to two or more posts
or uprights, placed the one behind the other, in the central line of the vessel
or locomotive, or to a sufficient number of pieces jointed or fixed to the top
timbers of the vessel or to the sides of the locomotive. And when I make
use of a propeller without an aerostat, and cause the propeller to vibrate in
the mauner herein-before mentioned, 1 prefer connecting it to the hull of
the vessel or to the body of the carriage or locomotive in a similar manner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Benjamin O'Neale Stratford, Earl of Aldborough, in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th October 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, BENJAMIN
O'NEALE STRATFORD, Earl of ALDBOROUGH, of Stratford Lodge, of the County
of Wicklow, in Ireland, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Bejamin O'Neale Stratford, Earl of Aldborough, Her special licence that
I, the said Benjamin O'Neale Stratford, Earl of Aldborough, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the said Benjamin O'Neale
Stratford, Earl of Aldborough, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION. AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED

page_text: THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO LOCOMOTION GENERALLY," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Benjamin O'Neale Stratford,
Earl of Aldborough, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Benjamin O'Neale Stratford, Earl of
Aldborough, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the drawings hereunto annexed, that is to'say :-
MyInvention consists of improvements in aerial navigation, and in the form
and construction of aerial vessels or machines and apparatus, being chiefly
improvements on the Inventions described by me in the Specifications of
my
former Letters Patent granted to me, bearing date respectively the 30th-of
January 1854, the 20th of March 1855, and the 4th of September 1856, and
the application of these improvements or of modifications thereof, or of part or
parts thereof, to locomotion generally, which improvements are as follows:-A
further application of the principle.of utilizing the weight of the aeronauts
or crew of aerial vessels, or of a certain number of them, or of the weight of
the aeronauts or crew, or of some of them, in conjunction with the weight
which is required to be carried in the aerial vessel, or of a portion thereof;
the weight of the aeronauts or crew, or of a certain number of them, is
utilized, or made to produce, or to assist in producing, a rotary motion in.the
rotary aerostat: which is described in the Specification of, my Patent .dated
4th September 1856, and which is represented in Figures 23 and 24 of the
Drawings which accompany that Specification.
.. My present improvements consist in the application and use of the weight,
-in such a manner as to communicate an oscillating or vibrating motion to the
aerostat, by causing it to turn a portion of a revolution, or to describe a certain
- arc in one direction, and then to turn either an equal or a greater or less por-
tion of a revolution, or to describe either an equal or a greater or less arc in
..the opposite direction; the difference when it is caused to describe a greater
or less arc in one direction than in the opposite being regulated with reference
to the force of the wind and the point from which it may be blowing con-
sidered with regard to the vessel's course, or in the application of the weight
in such a manner as to-cause-the fore part of the aerostat to rise gradually,

page_text: and then to strike as forcibly and as quickly as possible downwards against the
external air, in a manner as nearly as possible similar to that in which the
fore part of the locomotive aerostat which is described in the Specification of
my Patent bearing date the 20th of March 1855, and which is represented
in Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings which accompany that Specification, is
made to strike downwards against the external air, that is to say, as nearly so
as the different means employed for the aerostats described in my present
Specification to effect that object will permit.
In aerial vessels in which I utilize the weight of the acronauts or crew, or of
the crew and cargo,or articles requiring to be carried,or of a portion thereof,
for the purpose of actuating the aerostat, I place the hull, that is to say, that
part of the aerial vessel which contains these, within the main air channel, or
as high as the lowest parts of the sides of the main air channel, which is indi-
cated by the letter H, in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Drawings which
accompany my present Specification; and when the aerostat is actuated by
these means, I do not attach wings to the hull, as wings could not properly,.or
at least, could not conveniently, be attached to the hull when it is placed
within the main air channel, or as high as it is represented in Figures 1, 2, 3,
4, and 5 of the Drawings which accompany my present Specification; but the
weight may be made use of to actuate the wings of the aerostat, and also to
actuate the wings which are attached to the hull in aerial vessels which are
constructed as any of those represented in my former Specifications, in which
the aerostats or the hulls are furnished with wings, and in which the hull is
placed lower than in those which are represented in the Figures of the Draw-
ings which accompany my present Specification; and also to actuate the pro-
pellers in aerial vessels formed as those represented in any of the several
Drawings which accompany my former Specifications; but the acrostat. could
not pr perly be actuated by the means described in my present Specification,
except when the hull is placed sufficiently high to admit of the sustaining arcs,
as I will term those supports of the main air channel, which are indicated.by
the letters h, h, in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Drawings which accompany..
my present Specification, and which are indicated by the same letters in the
several Figures of the Drawings which accompany my former Specification of
30th January 1854, in which these are represented, being sufficiently
strengthened to bear the additional strain to which they are subjected by..the
arrangement herein-after described.
I wish to remark, that the term sustaining arcs is not given in my former
Specification to these supports that are indicated by the letters h, h, in the
Drawings which accompany this Specification, but I now apply that term for

page_text: .
the sake of more perfectly distinguishing them, and because I consider it an
appropriate one; neither are these sustaining arcs oxactly similar to the sup-
ports which are indicated by the same letters in the Figures of the Drawings
which accompany my former Specification, inasmuch as they are made much
stronger and of stronger materials, as is herein-after more fully described, but
their use is the same so far as sustaining and giving the necessary form to the
main air channel.
I make use of the term hull in the same sense as that in which I have used
it in my former Specifications, that is to say, I make use of this term to
express that part of the aerial vessel which contains the navigators or crew
and the cargo or articles to be carried, and the passengers, if there be any,
addition to the persons navigating the vessel.
in
I wish it to be understood that when I make use of the term acrostat; I do
not include under this designation the hull, or the wings, or the propellers.
I make use of the term aerial vessel, when I wish to be understood as
meaning the entire vessel, with all its parts and apparatus.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lower part of an aerial vessel as it
would be seen from below when flying or sailing over head, of the form which
I prefer when I desire to communicate an oscillating or vibrating motion to
the aerostat; Figure 2 is a longitudinal and vertical section ofthe same; and
Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section of the same amid-ships, shewing the
hinder or after portion; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lower part of an
aerial vessel as it would be seen from below when flying or sailing over head,
of the form which I prefer when I desire that the fore part of the aerostat
shall be made to rise gradually and then to strike downwards against the
external air; and Figure 5 is a longitudinal and vertical section of the latter.
The manner in which I apply the weight of the aeronauts or crew, or of a
portion thereof, to the purpose of giving motion to the aerostat is as follows:-
I attach cords to a number of the sustaining arcs on each side of the aerostat,
and also to the canes or bamboos kc, k, which are placed across them for
greater strength, and I attach the opposite extremities of these cords to the
handles c, c, which are grasped by the hands of the persons who are employed
to actuate the aerostat by means of their weight. The number of the
sustaining arcs to which cords are attached for this purpose must depend on
the size of the vessel. I strengthen the sustaining arcs to which these cords
are attached, by uniting to the pieces of elastic wood of which they are made,
and which are similar to those which are represented in Figures 11, 12, 17,
and 19 of the Drawings which accompany the Specification of my Patent
which bears date the 30th of January 1854, and which are indicated by the

page_text: letters h, h, in those Figures, and the construction and use of which are
described in that Specification, by uniting to each of these to which I attach
cords, for the purpose already mentioned, a combination of canes or bamboos,
joined together in a manner similar to that which is shewn in Figures 20, 21,
and 22 of the Drawings which accompany the Specification of my Patent
which bears date the 4th of September 1856, and the construction of which is
described in this Specification, with this difference only, that the formof these
corresponds to that of the sustaining arcs to which they are attached. I
mentioned in the Specification of my Patent of the 4th September 1856, that
this combination may be used for all the combinations of canes with other
materials to strengthen them, which are used to give strength and stiffness to
any portions of the several aerial vessels described in that or in my former
Specifications, the minor details being modified to suit the position of each.
In the present case the modification is such as to suit the form of the
Sustaining arcs, and to give them the greatest degree of strength possible
consistent with the necessarydegree of lightness. Asustaining arc strengthened
by two of these combinations of canes or bamboos, one at each side, in the
manner which I prefer, is shewn in Figure 6 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed. The sustaining arcs to which cords are not required to be attached
for the purpose herein mentioned, do not require this addition, but may be
formed of the elastic pieces of wood alone, in the same manner as those
described in the Specification of my Patent of 30th January 1854. Or a
lighter combination of canes may be added to these than that required for the
sustaining arcs which have to bear the additional strain; but I prefer that
the cross canes or bamboos la, le, should be extended across all.
In aerial vessels which are formed as that which is represented in Figures
1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, and which is adapted to
receive an oscillating or vibrating motion, the person or persons who are
employed to actuate the aerostats by means of his or their weight, grasps or
grasp alternately the handles to which the cords from the sustaining arcs are
attached at the starboard and larboard sides of the vessel, and he suspends
himself or they suspend themselves from these, so as to cause his or their
weight to draw down the starboard and larboard sides of the aerostat
alternately, the opposite side of the aerostat to that from which he suspends
himself or they suspend themselves, rising as the side to which his or their
weight is applied is depressed. Apertures are formed or cut in the deck at
each side, to enable the persons who so suspend themselves from the sustaining
ares to descend as low as the depth of the hull will permit. A board of
sufficient size for the person or persons to stand on may be connected by cords.

page_text: to the handle at each side of the vessel, these cords being of such a length as
will enable the person or persons so employed to rest his or their feet on the
board while suspending himself or themselves, and so relieve the arms from
the strain. In aerial vessels of this description, when only one person is so
employed, he suspends himself alternately from points exactly oppositetoeach
other, on the starboard and larboard sides of the vessel amidships, or rather
in front of the centre of the hull than otherwise; and when a greater number
of persons are employed, their weight is so distributed as to cause it to act on
the same points and in a similar manner.
In aerial vessels which are formed
as that which is represented in Figures 4 and 5 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed, in which the fore part of the aerostat is required to be raised and
tlien caused to descend or strike downwards, two or more of the persons
employed to actuate the aerostat by means of their weight, suspend themselves
in a similar manner to that already described, one or more on the starboard
sidé and another or an equal number on the larboard side, in the after part of
the vessel, and both or all these persons suspend themselves at the same
moment from cords, the extremities of which are attached to handles similar
to those already described, and the opposite extremities of which areattached
to a number of the sustaining arcs and cross canes or bamboos, which are in
the after part of the aerostat. Apertures are formed or cut in the deck in the
after part of the hull on each side, to enable the persons to descend as low as
the depth of the hull will permit when they suspend themselves from the
sustaining arcs: I prefer furnishing these apertures with steps, in order to
enable the persons to descend slowly by resting on each step. In aerial
vessels of this class it is requisite that the individuals who suspend themselves
at the opposite sides of the vessel should be of precisely equal weight, that is
say, , the lighter individual or individuals must carry weight on his or their
persons, so as to equalize the weight on both sides of the vessel, or so as to be
enabled to do so with precision when suitable. When the after part of the
nerostat has been caused to descend to the required degree and the fore part
consequently raised in proportion, the person or persons employed at each side
of the vessel pass a cord through a ring or small tackle, which, is attached to
the handle which he or they have till now held in his hand or their hands,
which cord has been previously passed through a ring or tackle which is fixed
in the lowest part of the hull at the same side, and he or they then pass the
còrd through another ring or tackle, which is also fixed in the lowest part of
the hull near the first, in such a manner that the handles which have been
previously held by the hands of the persons employed at both sides of the vessel
are now held firmly down, so long as these cords are kept taut or straight.
tó

page_text: The handles at both sides of the hull are kept down in this way in a precisely
similar manner. The persons now ascend the steps and walk forward on the
deck,holding these cords taut so as to keep down the handles, and so prevent
the hinder part of the aerostat from rising till the proper moment. These
cords mayalso be made to answer another purpose, for the opposite extremities
of the cords to those which are held bythe personswhoactuatethe aerostatmay
be attached to the propellers, which are indicated by the letters y.y, in Figures
4 and of the Drawings hereunto annexed, so that when the cords are pa<sed
through the rings or small tackles which are attached to the handles, and
through the second rings or tackles which are fixed in the lowest part of the
bullas already mentioned, and the cords drawn taut and pulled forward bythe
person's as they walk forward on the deck, the propellers y, y, shall be thereby
drawn forward, and these propellers spring back when released bythe reaction
of springs by which they are attached to the canes or bamboos z,z, in a similar.
manner to that in which the stern fans are attached to the bamboos or canics
which are indicated by the same letters in Figures 11, 12, 17, and 19 of thie
Drawings which accompanythe Specification of my Patent which bears datethe
30th January 1854, and which are described in that Specification; but in
addition to those springs or spring joints, I attach cords to these propellers.the
opposite extremities of which areattached tospringsof vulcanizedindia-rubber
which are fixed to a bamboo or cane at the stern of theaerostatinsuchamanner
that these propellers are closed backwards so as to touch each other, or nearly
so, so long as they are not drawn forward by means of the cords already
mentioned, by which means the reaction of these last-mentioned springs acts
conjointly with the reaction of the springs or spring joints by which the pro-
pellers are attached to the canes or bamboos z, z, in causing them to spring:
backwards when released. When suitable, only one of these propellers, that
is to say, either the starboard or the larboard propeller only, may be drawu
forward in this manner when it is desired to turn the vessel, or when such is
suitable for the purposes of steering; and when it is desired that either
propeller shall not be so drawn forward, the handle on that side of the vessel
on which it is desired that the propeller should not be actuated, is held down
by another cord which is provided for this purpose, the extremity of which is
inade fast to the bottom of the hull,and which is also passed through the same
rings,if rings be used, or through tackles placed by the side of those already
described,if tackles be used, and the person or persons walk forward keeping
this latter cord taut, in a similar manner to that already described, and the
cord, the extremity of which is attached to the propeller which is not to be
actuated, is left free. The additional cords provided for this purpose are

page_text: exactly similar and similarly adjusted at both sides of the vessel. This is the
manner in which I prefer actuating the propellers in aerial vessels of this
class, in which the weight of the aeronauts or crew, or of a portion thereof, is
utilized for the purpose of actuating the aerostat, but the propellers may be
actuated in these vessels by persons separately employed for that purpose, in
a similar manner to that in which the wings proper are actuated in the aerial
vessels described in the Specification of my Patent bearing date the 30th
January 1854; the frames of these propellers are formed of canes, strengthened
by light steel rods, spring-tempered, being united to them, the basal portions
being curved, and the terminal portion of each is drawn by cords towards the
convex part of the same, where very small tackles are fixed, through which
these cords pass, and the opposite extremities of these cords are conducted to
the hull, and these canes are strengthened by other lighter canes placed across
them, these sustain the hinder surfaces of the propellers which are required to
strike the air forcibly, the whole is covered with silk, calico, or linen; the fore
side, which is convex, is supported by lighter canes, and to these the cords
are attached by means of which the propellers are drawn forward. I prefer
furnishing these propellers with tubes or air channels so formed that they
permit the air to pass through them as the propeller is drawn forward, but
are closed by means of valves and springs as the propeller strikes backwards;
and I prefer stretching pieces of linen, stiffened by paper being united to them
by glue or copal varnish, across the hinder surface of each propel'er, which
are stretched or kept taut or straight by means of sets of small india-rubber
springs or sheet rubber, in a similar manner to that described as applied to
the improved wings and propellers in the Specification of my Patent bearing
date the 4th September 1856; the tubes or air channels are also formed in a
similar manner to that in which the tubes or air channels are formed which
are described as being used with the improved propellers described inthe same
Specification, which are indicated by the letter Y in the Drawings which
accompany that Specification. The arrangement by which the concave form
is given to the basal portions of the propellers is similar to that by which a
similar form is given to the wings proper, as described in the Specification of
my Patent of the 30th January 1854, and which is shewn in the cross section
of one of these wings in Figure 4 of the Drawings which accompany that
Specification; but in aerial vessels in which the weight of the aeronauts or
crew, or a portion ofthem, is utilized as herein described, and in which the
propellers are actuated by the means which I have herein stated thatI preferfor
these vessels, I do not cause the terminal portions of the propellers to strike
more frequently than the basal portions. When the persons have advanced

page_text: to the forc, part of the deck, they grasp the handles to which the cords are
attached, the opposite extremities of some of which are attached to a number
of the sustaining arcs in the fore part of the aerostat, and others to the arms
or foremost prolongations, this term being understood in the same sense as
that in which it is used in the Specification of my Patent of the 20th March
1855, as applied to the aerostats which are represented in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8,
and 9 of the Drawings which accompany that Specification, and some of which
are attached to the canes n, n, which form the margins or outer edges of the
wings of the aerostat E, E, which are shewn in Figure 4 of the Drawings
hereunto annexed, at the same time letting go the cords by which they have
till now held down the after part of the aerostat, and they spring down into
apertures provided in the fore part of the deck on each side, which admit of
their descent to the lowest part of the hull; that is to say, as low as the depth
of the hull will permit; by this means the wings of the aerostat strike down-
wards simultaneously with the arms and the whole of the fore portion of the
aerostat, and the propellers are also released at the same moment in conse-
quence of the cords being let go by means of which they were drawn forward.
When the persons have caused the fore part of the aerostat to descend they
return to the after part of the deck, where they cause the after part of the
aerostat to descend as before, after which they return to the fore part of the
deck, where they again cause the fore part of the acrostat to descend, and
so on continuously.
Steps are raised on the deck, which the persons employed ascend previous
to grasping the handles to which the cords from the sustaining arcs are
attached in order to give greater effect, to their weight by descending through
a greater space. The handles c, c, are represented in Figure 5 of a length
sufficient to be held by a number of persons together, but if only one or a
small number of persons is employed at each side of the vessel, they are short
in proportion.
Although the utmost precision is required in the arrangement of the weight
on the starboard and larboard sides of the vessel, in aerial vessels which are
constructed as those represented in Figures 4 and 5, the application must be
modified according to the force of the wind, and its direction relatively to the
vessel's course, that is to say, although the weight of the persons who suspend
themselves on the starboard and larboard sides must be equal in perfectly calm
weather, or when the wind is "dead aft," as it is termed in ordinary navi-
gation, nevertheless, when working to windward, or even with the wind on
the quarter, it will be suitable, if not absolutely necessary, that a greater
weight, that is to say, a greater portion of the weight, should be made to act

page_text: on the windward than on the leeward side, and this in proportion to the force
of the wind and the point from which it blows relatively to the vessel's course,
and for this purpose when only two persons are employed to actuate the
aerostat by the means already described, weights must be provided, one or
'more of which can be attached to the handles c, c, or to the person of the
individual who suspends himself on the windward side, and when a greater
number of persons are so employed, one or more of those whose place would
otherwise be at the opposite side of the vessel, must, when required, step
across to the windward side, and small weights in this case also be provided
to adjust the weight at the opposite sides of the vessel, in the degree most
suitable according to the force and direction of the wind. I place tubes
longitudinally or fore and aft along the sides of the canes or bamboos m, m,
at each side of the aerostat, to which I attach these tubes, which are indicated
by the letter n, in Figure 4, and one of which is seen in Figure 5, where it is
indicated by the same letter in aerial vessels which are constructed as those
shewn in Figures 4 and 5, and I place weights which may be composed of
any articles that are required to be carried, which can conveniently be so
packed in cylindrical cases of such a size that they will fit within the tubes,
and roll within them with the greatest freedom and least friction possible,
both the outside of the cases and the inside of the tubes being perfectly
smooth, and a chaunel or slot may be formed in the lower side of each tube,
and castors fixed under the cases, so as to cause them to roll with greater
freedom; this last-mentioned arrangement is not absolutely necessary, but I
prefer it. Each of the cases should he as short as will admit of any articles
required to be carried in the vessel being placed within it, and one or more of
these cases, or it may be as great a number as will fill one half of the tube,
according to the force and direction of the wind, may be placed within the
tube on the windward side, so as to keep this side of the acrostat lower than
the leeward side, or so as to prevent its being raised higher than is suitable by
the force of the wind; these cases are inserted, when required, at the after
extremity of the tube, when the after part of the aerostat has been caused to
descend, an opening being provided for this purpose, which is closed again
when they are placed within the tube, and they roll forwards or backwards in
the tube by the force of gravity, in proportion as the fore and after parts of
the aerostat are caused to descend or to rise; they are removed through the
same openings when required. The tubes on both sides of the aerostat are
precisely similar, but the cases are only placed in the tube on the windward
side, and a smaller or greater number of them are placed therein, in propor.
tion to the force of the wind, and with reference to its direction relatively to

page_text: the vessel's course. Similar tubes may be similarly placed in aerostats which
are formed as those represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, but they are not
necessary when such are used with aerostats of the last-mentioned class; the
openings for the insertion of the weights are in the central part of each tube.
or nearly so, that is to say, in that part of each tube which is nearest to the
central part of the hull; the cases will of course not slide or roll forwards and
backwards alternately in vessels of this description, in the same manner as in
those formed like that which is represented in Figures 4 and 5, but it is
nevertheless advantageous that they should be capable of sliding or rolling on
castors with the greatest freedom possible, when those first placed within the
tube are pushed either forwards or backwards when an additional case is
inserted; and in vessels of this class I place stops or pieces capable of sliding
into or out of the tube in such a manner as to prevent the passage of the cases
in the tube past the central part where the cases are inserted when this is
desirable, or so that any suitable number of these cases may be retained fore
oraft of these stops, as the fore or after part of the aerostat may frequently be
acted on more strongly by the wind than the other, and these cases with their
contents may by this means be made serviceable in assisting to prevent either
the fore or after part of the aerostat being raised to any degree comparatively
with the opposite portion that would be unsuitable or prejudicial under any
circumstances. The aperture through which the case or cases are inserted
is closed when the case or cases has or have been placed within the tube.
The manner in which I utilize the weight of any articles which are carried
in the aerial vessel, or of the cargo, or a portion thereof. when I utilize these,
in addition to the weight of the aeronauts or crew, or a portion of them, for
the purpose of actuating the aerostat, is as follows:-In aerial vessels
which are constructed as those last described, that is to say, in those in
which the fore part of the aerostat is raised, and then caused to descend
or strike downwards against the external air, I divide these articles or the
cargo, or that portion thereof which is to be so utilized, with the exception
of a certain portion which I reserve for an object herein-after specified, into
two equal parts, and I place these in two cases which are exactly alike and
of equal weight; 1 place castors under these cases, and I form grooves or
channels in the frames a-b, a-b, which are shewn in Figure 7, and an
elevation of one of which is shewn in Figure 8; Figure 7 is a plan of the deck,
shewing the position of these frames; the castors roll freely, but the grooves or
channels are of sufficient depth to keep them from slipping out. A, Figure 7,
is the fore part of the hull, and B is the stern; the frames may be so placed
that the angle which is formed where the after extremities of the two frames

page_text: meet, may be eitlier greater or less than in the Figure, as this will depend on
the precise form of the hull, or they may be placed as shewn in Figure 9.
d, d, are the openings in the deck through which the persons who actuate the
aerostat by means of their weight descend. as herein-before explained, when
causing the after part of the acrostat to descend, and ff, are the openings
through which they descend when causing the fore part of the aerostat to
descend. When the weight of the articles carried in the vessel, or cargo, or
à portion thereof, is utilized, in conjunction with the weight of the aeronauts
or crew, or a portion of them, for the purpose of actuating the aerostat, the
extremities a, a, of the frame are caused to descend into the openings f,f, as
herein-after explained, and therefore these openings will be required to be
larger in vessels in which the weight of the cargo or articles carried in tho
vessel, or a portion thereof, is utilized for this purpose, than in vessels in which
the weight of the aeronauts or crew alone, or a portion of them, is so utilized;
the frames a—b, a-b, are moveable on the hinges or pivots e, e, in such a
manner that either of the fore or after portions may be either raised or
depressed. While the persons employed for this purpose are causing the after
part of the aerostat to descend by the means already explained, the cases
which contain the articles whose weight is to be utilized, one of which is seen
in Figure 8, where it is indicated by the letter i, rest on the hinder portions of
the frames, which, during this part of the operation are in the position in
which one of these frames is shewn in Figure 8, and when this has been
effected they pass cords, the extremities of which are attached to the pro-
pellers, as herein-before explained, these cords being passed through rings or
tackles fixed in the lowest part of the hull, and then through rings or small
.tackles attached to the handles, and then through other rings or tackles fixed
in the lowest part of the hull near the first, so as to enable the persons to keep
down the after part of the aerostat by drawing these cords taut, and at the
same time draw forward the propellers; the persons now ascend the steps in
the same manner as in the vessels in which the weight of the aeronauts or
crew alone, or of a portion of them, is utilized to act the aerostat, as herein-
before explained, and walk forwards holding the cords taut, and ascend the
steps, the position of which is indicated by the letter g, in Figure 7, and from
thence step on the foremost extremities a, a, of the frames, upon each of which
a passage is railed off on the outer side to separate it from that portion on
which the cases roll; the number of the persons so employed is so propor-
tioned to the weight of the cases, with their contents, and that of the frames,
that the weight of these persons when they stand on the extremities a, u, is
sufficient to cause the fore portions of the frames to descend, and the after por-

page_text: tions to rise when they assume the position shewn by the dotted lines in
Figure 8, but only one of these frames is exhibited in that Figure, this will
cause the cases to roll from the after to the fore extremities of the frames by
the force of gravity; or this motion may be assisted by one or more persons on
each side drawing these cases towards them by means of cords; the persons
now grasp the handles to which the cords areattached, the opposite extremities
of which are attached to the sustaining arcs in the fore part of the aerostat, at
the same moment letting go the cords, which till this time have been keeping
down the handles by means of which the after part of the aerostat has been
kept down, and so permit the after part of the aerostat to rise as the fore part
descends, the propellers being also liberated at the same time, and the fore por-
tions of the frames, with the cases resting on them, descend into the openings
ff, the persons continuing to stand in the foremost extremities in the posi-
tions already mentioned; cords are attached to the cases, which cords pass
through tackles which are fixed in the after part of the hull, and then through
other tackles fixed in the fore part of the hull on each side; the position of
the tackles on the larboard side, as shewn in Figure 8, where they are
indicated by the letters o, o, those on the starboard side are similarly placed ;
the opposite extremity of the cord to that which is attached to the case on the
larboard side is attached to the larboard arm or fore part of the aerostat, this
cord being passed through the tackles on the larboard side of the hull, and the
cord which is attached to the case on the starboard side is similarly conducted
through the tackles on the starboard side of the hull to the starboard arm
or fore part of the aerostat to which its extremity is similarly attached, and by
this means the descent of the cases acts conjointly with the weight of the
persons and increases the force with which the fore part of the aerostat
descends or strikes downwards; these cords are of such length that they do not
act on the arms of the aerostat so as to cause them to descend till the cases
have rolled past the pivots e, e. When the foremost extremities a, a, of the
frames have descended into the openings ff, as described, the persons walk to
the after extremities of the frames along the portions railed off for that
pur
pose, which have been already described, and which may be furnished with
steps or pieces of wood nailed across in such a manner that the persons can
step conveniently on these while walking aft, as the foremost extremities of
the frames are now lower than the after extremities, and when the person's
have reached the latter, and by their weight caused them to descend and the
cases to roll to the after extremities, they grasp the handles to which the cords.
from the sustaining arcs in the after part of the aerostat are attached, and
cause the hinder part of the aerostat to descend as before, after which they

page_text: again return and cause the fore part to descend, as already explained, and
so on continuously.
I always reserve a portion of the cargo, or of the articles, the weight of
which is to be utilized, for the purpose of placing such weight, or any suitable
portion thereof, according to the force and direction of the wind, on the case
which is at the windward side, and I divide that portion of the weight to be
utilized which I reserve for this purpose into as many separate parts as it can
conveniently be divided into, in order the better to regulate the same accord-
ing to the force, and with reference to the direction of the wind relatively to
the vessel's course. I wish it to be understood, that when I distinguish aerial
vessels in which the frames a-b, a--b, are not used as vessels in which the
weight of the aeronauts or crew alone, or of a portion of them, is utilized for
the purpose of actuating the aerostat, that I do not consider the comparatively
small portions which are occasionally attached to the persons so employed, or
to the handles c, c, in order to kee, down the windward side of the aerostat,
ortogiveit the required inclination as herein-before explained when describing
aerial vessels in which the frames a-b, a-b, are not used, nor the cases which
are occasionally placed in the tubes n, n, for the same purpose, as coming
properly under the definition of weight utilized to actuate the aerostat, the
sole use of the first and the principal object of the latter being to keep down
the windward side of the aerostat, or to give it the proper incliuation, and not
to actuate it in the proper sense of the word; and I have made use of that
expression in order better to distinguish between the two modes of actuating
the aerostat, as most of the details of the operation differ more or less in each.
The cords from the wings E, E, must be so attached to the handles c, c, that
they can be disengaged whenever either of these wings is not required to be
worked, as will frequently be the case as regards the windward wing, or when
it is required to turn the vessel or change the direction; the principles by
which this is regulated are similar to those explained in the Specification
of iny Patent bearing date the 30th of January 1854.
In aerial vessels to which an oscillating or vibrating motion iscommunicated,
as that which is represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed, when I make use of the weight of the cargo, or of any articles which
are carried in the vessel, or of a portion thereof, in addition to or in conjunction
with the weight of the aerostats or crew,or of a portion of them, Iplace a frame
in which I form grooves or channels for the cases to roll across the deck amid-
ships, or rather more in front of them abaft the centre of the hull; and 1 cause
the starboard and larboard extremities ofthe frame to descend alternately into
openings provided for that purpose on the starboard and larboard sides of the

page_text: vessel,in similar positions to those already herein-before described as provided
for the persons to descend who are employed to actuate aerostats to which an
oscillating or vibrating motion is communicated by means of the weight of
the aeronauts or crew, or of a portion of them, without the assistance of the
weight of the cargo or articles to be carried in the vessel, or of a portion
thereof, but when the latter is used these openings must be of sufficient size
to admit of the extremities of the cases descending therein; the pivot on
which the frame is moveable, that is to say, by means of which either the
starboard or larboard portions are capable of being either raised or lowered,
is fixed in the centre of the hull in aerial vessels of this class,and the
person or
persons actuating the aerostat stands or stand on the extremity of the frame
which is to be made to descend, that is to say, he stands or they stand alter-
nately on the starboard and larboard extremity of the frame while grasping
the handles to which the cords from the sustaining arcs are attached at that
side of the aerostat which is to be made to descend, the starboard side of the
frame descending by the weight of the person or persons standing on it, while
the starboard side of the aerostat descends, and the larboard side of the frame
descending while the larboard side of the aerostat descends. A passage is
railed off at one side, or passages may be railed off at both sides of the frame
for the person or persons to walk along, which is or are so separated from the
portion on which the case rolls, and the person or persons walk along this
passage or these passages from the starboard and larboard extremities, as they
wish to cause theirweight to act alternately on the one side and on the other;
only one frame is required in aerial vessels, in which an oscillating or vibrat-
ing motion is communicated to the aerostat; two or more cords are attached
to each extremity of the case, and the cords from the larboard extremity are
passed through tackles which are fixed to the sides of the hull on the larboard
side,and the opposite extremities are attached to two or more of the sustaining
arcs on the starboard side of the aerostat, and the cord from the starboard
extremity of the case are passed through tackles which are fixed to the side
of the hull on the starboard side, the opposite extremities being attached to
two or more of the sustaining arcs on the larboard side of the aerostat, so
that when the case rolls to the starboard side the weight acts conjointly with
the weight of the person or persons employed in drawing down the starboard
side of the aerostat; and when the case rolls to the larboard side, the weight
acts conjointly with the weight of the person or persons in drawing down
the larboard side of the aerostat. The case rolls alternately to the starboard
and larboard side by the force of gravity, as the person or persons cause the
starboard or larboard side of the frame to descend by the application of their

page_text: weight, or it may be assisted by being drawn by cords in the desired direction;
the weight which is placed in the case is so proportioned to the weight of the
person or persons employed, that when he or they stand on either extremity
of the frame, that side is thereby caused to descend, and the opposite sidle
to ascend; it will sometimes be suitable to apply the weight only on the
windward side, and then to permit the aerostat to rise on that side so far as
it will do so without assistance, and in some cases it will even bo expedient
not to permit it to rise even to the full extent that it would rise without
assistance, but before it has even risen to this degree to apply the weight again
so as to depress the windward side, and in vessels of this class, in which the
frame is used, the person or persons employed may detach the cords from
thewindward side of the case, the opposite extremities of which are attached
to the sustaining arcs in the leeward side, and then walk to the leeward side
on the frame while the windward side of the aerostat is rising, so as to cause
that extremity of the frame to descend, and the case to roll to that extremity,
in order to have the advantage of the weight of the case with its contents, to
assist in causing the windward side of the aerostat again to descend; the
reason why these cords must be first disengaged is, that otherwise the lee-
ward side of the aerostat would be caused to descend, as he or they caused
his or their weight to act on the leeward side of the frame.
person
Another arrangement by which an oscillating or vibrating motion may
be communicated to an aerostat, constructed in other respects like thatwhich
is shewn in Figures 1. 2, and 3 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, is as
follows: A segment or portion of a circle is furnished with steps,in a similar
manner to that in which the entire circle which is placed within the aerostat
which is represented in Figure 24 of the Drawings which accompany the
Specification of my Patent dated the 4th September 1856, and which is
described in that Specification, is furnished with steps, so that the
or persons employed to actuate the aerostat by means of hisor their weight,
causes or cause it to perform a portion of a revolution by treading on these
steps,the starboard extremity of the segment on which he or they tread being
attached to the starboard side of the aerostat, and the larboard side being
attached to the larboard side of the aerostat, and when the aerostat has been
caused to turn the required portion of a revolution in one direction, the
person or persons turns or turn round and tread on the steps in the opposite
direction, and so cause it to perform an equal portion of a revolution in the
opposite direction; or it maybe either a greater ora less portion of a revolution
in the opposite direction as maybe suitable, according to the force of the wind
and its direction relatively to the vessel's course. In some cases it will be
J

page_text: suitable to cause the weight to act only in turning the aerostat towards the
windward side, in which case the person or persons walk back only as far as
the centre of the segment or portion of a circle, which is furnished with steps
as already mentioned, after having caused the aerostat to descend to the full
extent on the windward side, and then returning to the extremity of the
segment which is on the windward side, they again cause that side of the
aerostat to descend. When it is desired to turn the vessel or to alter its
direction, it will frequently be necessary to cause the weight to act only on the
side towards which is desired to turn the vessel, but this will depend in a
great measure on the direction of the wind relatively to the desired course,
and also the force of the wind at the time when working to windward; if.it
is required to turn the vessel so that it shall be carried in the direction of the
wind, it will be sufficient to work both sides equally in order to attain the
object. When I desire to utilize the weight of the cargo or articles carried
in the vessel, or a portion thereof,in conjunction with that of the aeronauts or
crew, or a portion of them,for the purpose of giving an oscillating or vibrating
motion to the aerostat, in vessels in which a segment furnished with steps is
used, as already described, I fix a tube under the segment, the tube being also
of the form of a segment, so that it corresponds with the segment under which
it is fixed, and I pack the articles, the weight of which is to be utilized, in
cases which are formed to slide or to roll on castors within the tube. I prefer
forming a groove or slot in the lower part of the tube, and fix castors under
the cases in such a manner that these castors roll freely, and the cases by this
means are caused to roll to either side of the tube, which is caused to descend
by the weight of the persons who tread on the sceps. I prefer generally
that the cases should not fill more than about a fourth or a third of the tube,
but they must never fill more than one half of it. The segment, with the
tube fixed below it, slides in a channel formed in the hull to receive it.
Aerial vessels, which are constructed in other respects like that which is
shewn in Figures 3 and 4 of the Drawings hereunto annexed. may also have
the required motion communicated to the aerostat, that is to say, the fore part
of the aerostat may be raised and then caused to descend or strike downwards
in these vessels by means of segments furnished with steps, instead of the means
herein-before set forth, in the following manner :-When I make use of
segments furnished with steps for the purpose of actuating the aerostat in this
class of aerial vessels,I place a segment on each side of the hull longitudinally
or fore and aft,and I attach the foremost extremity of each segment to thearm
or forc part of the aerostat on that side of the vessel at which the segment is
placed, and the persons employed to actuate the aerostat by means of their

page_text: weight cause the after part to descend by walking on the steps to the after
parts of the segments, and they cause the fore part of the aerostat to descend
by walking on the steps to the fore parts of the segments. When I utilize
the weight of the cargo or articles carried in the vessel, or a portion thereof,
in conjunction with the weight of the aeronauts or crew, or a portion of them
for the purpose of actuating the aerostat in these vessels, I fix a tube under
each segment, this tube being also a segment, so that it corresponds with the
forin of the segment under which it is fixed; and I pack the articles, whose
weight is to be utilized, with the exception of a
tis
portion which I reserve in
order to place it when required on the segment which is on the windward
side, in cases so formed that they slide or roll freely within the tubes, in a
similar manner to that in which the cases slide or roll in the tube which is
fixed under the segment in the class of aerial vessels last herein described,
except that they slide or roll fore and aft, as the fore and after extremities of
the segment are caused to descend by the weight of the persons who tread on
the steps. These segments, with the tubes fixed under them, slide in channels
formed to receive them in the hull. I reserve a portion of the weight to be
utilized, as already mentioned, in order to place it when required on the
segment which is at the windward side, and I pack this portion of the weight
in cases, which are fitted in tubes which are placed at the sides of the segment
to receive them, and in which they slide or roll on castors forwards and back-
wards or fore and aft, in a similar manner to that in which the cases roll in
the other tubes, already herein described, as the persons cause the fore or
after parts of the segment to descend by the application of their weight.
Similar tubes are attached to the segments at both sides of the vessel, but the
cases are only inserted in the tube on the windward side.
In aerial vessels to which an oscillating or vibrating motion is communi-
cated to the aerostats, whichever of the modes herein described is adopted for
that purpose, I make the propeller of the form shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of
the Drawings hereunto annexed. This propeller is convex above, and the
basal portion of its lower surface is concave, and the terminal portion isa; flat
as the nature of the materials used will permit, this form being given to it in
a similar manner to that in which a similar form, so far as the concavity of
the basal portion and the flatness or comparative flatness of the terminal
portion, is given to most of the propellers described in my former Specifica-
tions, and also to those herein-before described, that is to say, by drawing the
terminal portions of the canes which form this portion of the frame of the
propeller upwards, by means of cords which pass through small pulleys or
tackles, in the manner shewn in Figure 4 of the Drawings which accompany

page_text: the Specification of my Patent bearing date the 30th of January 1854; but
these canes are placed in different positions as regards their inclinations in the
different forms of propellers.
No separate arrangement is required to actuate the propeller in these
vessels; it is fixed to the stern of the aerostat, and the oscillating or vibrating
motion which is communicated to the aerostat is communicated also to the
propeller; the propeller inay be fixed immoveably, but I prefer connecting it
by means of a rod fitted within a tube, which latter is fixed in the stern of
the aerostat, in such a manner that the inclination of the propeller may be
adjusted or altered independently of the acrostat in case this should under any
circumstances be found desirable.
In aerial vessels in which the fore part of the aerostat is made to rise and
then descend or strike downwards against the external air, and in which it is
not actuated by means of the segments furnished with steps, upon which the
person's employed tread, and so apply their weight, I connect the aerostat
with the hall by means of a joint, which is connected to two pieces which rise
from the sides of the hull amidships, or nearly so, their lower parts forming
part of the framework of the hull; these pieces or ribs which are so raised
above the level of the deck being exactly opposite to each other on the star-
board and larboard sides, and being curved inwards, that is to say, towards the
centre of the hull, so that they uuite over the central line, that is to say, over
a line drawn through the centre of the hull longitudinally, or from stem to
storu, and the connecting joint is placed where their upper extremities meet.
In aerial vessels in which an oscillating or vibrating motion is communicated
to the aerostat,and in which it is not actuated by means of a segment furnished
with steps, upon which the person or persons employed treads or tread, and so
applies or apply his or their weight, I connect it to the hull by means of a rod
or shaft placed within a tube, in which it is capable of turning freely; this
tube being attached to the upper extremities of four or more pieces or
elongated ribs, the upper parts of which rise above the level of the deck, two
of these are always exactly opposite each other on the starboard and larboard
sides,and meet in the central line like those first mentioned, their upper parts
being curved inwards;and the upper extremities of the other twoare similarly
united, and also the upper extremities of as many pairs as are used for this
purpose, and the tube is fixed to their upper extremities where the upper ends
of each pair meet, that is to say, where the upper ends of each two of these
pieces or clongated ribs which are exactly opposite each other on the starboard
and larboard sides meet; and the aerostat is connected by cords to both
extremities of the rod or shaft, and the tube may be divided or cut across

page_text: .
between the two pairs of elongated ribs, or between each pair when more
than two pairs are used, sufficient space being left between the portions of the
tube to attach additional cords, in which case it may be said that the shaft is
supported by two or more tubes in which it turns freely. The outer envelope
of the aerostat, which is represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings
hereunto annexed, is extended laterally in the form of wings; this portion of
the aerostat, which is indicated by the letter 1), is filled with atmospheric air,
and I prefer furnishing it with valves, such asare described in the Specification
of my Patent bearing date the 4th day of September 1856, which permit the
external air to enter at the fore parts of this portion of the aerostat, in such a
manner that the air within becomes compressed in proportion to the force with
which the wind blows against the fore part of the aerostat, or in proportion to
the resistance that it offers to the progress of the vessel, as is more particularly
explained in that Specification; other valves opening outwards being provided
in the after part of the aerostat, so adjusted by means of springs, that they
permit a portion of the air contained within to escape at any time that the
compression within may become so great that there might be a risk of injury
to the envelope if there was no means of escape provided.
When I utilize the weight of the aeronauts or crew, or of a portion of them,
for the purpose of actuating the wings of aerostats, or the wings proper (this
term being understood as defined in my former Specifications as meaning the
wings attached to the hull), or the propellers, or all of those, in aerial vessels
.in which the weight is not utilized for the purpose of actuating the aerostat, I
attach cords to the wings proper, or to the propellers, or to both the wings
proper and the propellers if both are to be actuated by this means, and I
conduct these cords by means of guide pulleys or tackles fixed in suitable
positions, as is herein-after more fully specified, and I attach the opposite
extremities of these cords to handles; the handle by which the starboard wing
and propeller are actuated being at the starboard side, and that by which the
larboard wing and propeller are actuated being at the larboard side; one or
more persons at each side of the hull take hold of these handles, and then
ascend steps, which are raised on the deck for that purpose, from the after to
the fore part of the hull, by which means they draw the wings upwards and
the propellers forwards, by drawing forward the cords which are attached to the
handles; the cords from both the wings proper and the propellers must be so
attached to the handles that the cord from either wing or from either propeller
may be disengaged at any time that it is desired that either wing or either
propeller should not be worked or actuated. When they have ascended to the
upper step they let go these handles and take hold of other handles to which

page_text: cords are attached, which are conducted by means of guide pulleys or tackles
in opposite directions to those first mentioned, so that when the last-mentioned
cords are drawn or pulled they cause the wings to strike downwards, and the
propellers to strike backwards, and they spring down into openings in the deck
similarly placed to those the positions of which are shewn in Figure 7 of the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and which have been herein-before described,
and so cause the wings to strike downwards and the propellers to strike
backwards; they then ascend steps provided for that purpose to thedeck,and
walk aft, when they again take hold of the first-mentioned handles, which at
this time will have been drawn towards the after part of the hull bythe action
of the wings and propellers, and they again ascend the steps which lead to the
fore part of the hull, drawing the cords forwards as before, till they reach the
top, which brings them to a position from which they can spring down into
the openings in the fore part of the deck as before; after they have caused the
wings and propellers to strike each in the required direction, they again
return to the after part of the hull, and proceed as already described; and
so on continuously. When it is desired that either wing or either propeller
should not be worked, the cord whose office it is to cause such wing or pro-
peller to perform the stroke when drawn or pulled is released as well as that
which is used to draw it forwards. The cords which are used to raise the
wings proper are attached to the canes of the wing covers in a similar manner
in that in which are used to raise the wings proper are attached to the canes of
the wing covers, as described in the Specification of my Patent of 30th
January 1854, and they are conducted aft to guide pulleys or tackles which
are fixed to the hull at the stern, from whence they pass to the handles to
which their opposite extremities are attached. The cords which are used to
draw the propellers forwards are attached to the canes, which give the required
form to that side of each propeller which is not formed to strike with force
against the air, and the opposite extremities are attached to the handles. A
number of small cords are attached to the canes of the wing covers, and a
number are also attached to the canes of the covers of the propellers, but
I prefer that all the small cords which proceed from one wing or from one
propeller should be collected and formed in one, so that it can be passed
through one guide pulley or trckle when this is required, and beconducted in
the form of a single cord to the handle. I make use of two stern propellers
for aerial vessels in which the propellers are actuated in this manner, and
I connect them to the canes or bamboos, or combinations of canes with other
materials, such as are described in my former Specifications, and which are
similarly placed to those which are represented as used with the locomotive

page_text: aerial vessel which is shewn in the Drawings which accompany the Speci-
fication of iny Patent of 30th of January 1854, where they are indicated by
the letters z, z. The extremities of the cords which are used to cause the wings
proper to strike downwards are attached to the handles, which are held by the
persons who actuate them. The cords used to cause the propellers to strike
backwards are conducted round guide pulleys or tackles, which are attached to
a combination of canes with other materials, formed in a manner similar to
that described in the Specification of my Patent dated 4th September 1856,
which is attached to the stern of the aerostat in the centre between the two
canes to which the propellers are connected. The wings of the aerostat do
not require to be raised by means of cords; the cords which are used to draw
them downwards or cause them to perform the stroke are passed through
tackles which are attached to the aerostat in positions similar to those which
are indicated by the letters i, i, in Figures 1 and 4 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed, or as nearly so as the form and construction of the aerial vessel-in
which this mode of actuating the wings of the aerostat is adopted will permit.
When I utilize the weight of the cargo or articles to be carried in the vessel,
or a portion thereof, in addition to that of the aeronauts or crew, or a portion
of them, for the purpose of actuating the wings of the aerostat, or the wings
proper, or the propellers, or all of those, in aerial vessels in which the aerostat
is not actuated by these means, I make use of frames similar to those the
positions of which are shewn in Figure 7 of the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and an elevation of one of which is shewn in Figure 8, and which has been
herein-before described; and I place the weight to be utilized in cases similar
to those herein-before described as adapted to roll on castors in grooveswhich
formed in these frames, and the persons employed walk forward on these
frames instead of ascending steps raised on the deck,no stepsbeing required to
be raised on the deck for this purpose when the frames are used, and the cases
roll by the force of gravity, or are caused to roll, as herein-beforedescribed,to
the foremost extremities of the frames as the persons walk forward, and so
cause their weight to act on the foremost extremitics, which descend into
the openings in the fore part of the deck, as herein-before described, the
persons employed continuing to stand on them, and holding the handles to
which the cords which are used to draw down the wings and to draw back the
propellers, that is to say, to cause the wings and propellers to strike the air
each in the required direction are attached; the persons then walk aft along
the frames, in the same manner as herein-before described, and cause the
cases to roll aft; when these cases are used, additional cords are attached to
the wings proper and to the propellers, and also to the wings of the aerostat,
are

page_text: the opposite extremities of these being attached to the cases after having been
passed through tackles in suitable positions, and by this means the weight of
the cases with their contents contributes to increase the force with which they
strike. When the wings and propellers are actuated in the manner, very
light springs will be sufficient for the connection of the wings proper with the
hull, and hinges may even be used instead of springs for that purpose, but
I prefer making use of springs similar to those described in the Specification
of my Patent dated the 4th September 1856, their strength being regulated
with regard to the strength of the persons employed to actuate these wings, so
that they shall be able to raise them by the means already described. I prefer
connecting the propellere to the canes at the stern of the vessel by means of
spring joints, in the manner herein-before described, but the india-rubber
springs, as herein-before described, are not required; they may even be con-
nected to the canes by any simple kind of joining which will admit of their
being drawn either forwards or backwards as required.
My present improvements also consist in the construction and adaptation of
air channels to those acrostats to which an oscillating or vibrating motion is
communicated, in such a manner that they may assist the action or increase
the effect of the weight of the aeronauts or crew, or a portion of them, or of.
the aeronauts or crew, or a portion of them, in conjunction with the weight of
the cargo or articles to be carried in the vessel, or a portion thereof, when
utilized, as already described; these channels are so constructed and placed,
and have such inclinations or curvatures, each of the channels being inclined
or curved in opposite directions, and crossing each other at a point in the
central line of the aerostat, that is to say, in a line drawn through the centre
of the aerostat longitudinally or from stern to stern, and valves being provided
and adjusted in such a manner that the external air shall be permitted to enter
at the foremost extremity of either of these channels and to pass freely through
it and escape at the opposite extremity of the same channel, but shall be
prevented from entering the channel whose inclination or curvature is in the
opposite direction, a valve being placed at the point where the channels cross
each other, which can be drawn to either side, so as to prevent the air from
passing either into the portion of the one channel or of the other which is
abaft this point, that is to say, which is abaft the point where the channels
cross each other; cords are attached one to each side of the valve, so that it'
can be drawn to either side, as required, the opposite extremities of thesecords
being conducted to the handles to which the cords are attached, by means of
which the acrostat is actuated; and I also place valves at the fore and after
extremities of these channels, the valve at the fore extremity of each opening

page_text: inwards, and that at the after extremity opening outwards; and those valves
are closed by means of springs when not drawn open by drawing cords, which
are conducted from these valves; also to the handles already mentioned
additional cords may be used to assist the action of the springs. I attach tho
opposite extremities of all these cords to those which are attached to the valves,
to the handles to which the cords which are used to actuate the acrostat arc
attached in such a manner that when the persons employed to actuate tho
aerostat cause their weight to act so as to draw down the starboard side of the
aerostat, they at the same time draw the cords which open the valves which
admit the air to pass freely through that channel whose inclination or cur-
vature is adapted to cause the aerostat to turn or perform a portion of a
revolution towards the starboard side, and when they cause their weight to act
so as to draw down the larboard side of the acrostat, they at the same time
draw the cords which open the valves which admit the air to pass freely
through that channel whose inclination or curvature is adapted to cause the
acrostat to turn or perform a portion of a revolution towards the larboard side.
I give these channels an inclination backwards, and I place their fore
extremities or openings as near the foremost part of the ncrostat as is con-
sistent with the object of rendering them useful in assisting the oscillating or
vibrating motion of the aerostat, in order that they may at the same time
assist its progression or forward motion as much as possible, and also in order
that the current of air which will pass backwards as the acriul vessel is caused
to advance may enter the fore apertures with the greatest facility possible;
and I place the after extremities or apertures of these channels so far aft as is
consistent with the object of assisting the oscillating or vibrating motion of the
acrostat, in order to cause the air which passes out of the valves through these
openings to have the greatest effect possible in assisting the progression of the
aerial vessel. The after apertures of these channels are shewn in Figure 1,
where they are indicated by the letters T, T; an oblique transverse section of
one of them is seen in Figure 2, as it would appear if the aerostat were cut
through the centre longitudinally or from stern to stern, and the transverse
sections of the two channels at the point where they cross each other is seen
in Figure 3; the valve is represented in this Figure as closed so as to
prevent the entrance of the air into the channel T¹, while it passes freely
through the channel T3; the same valve when drawn in the opposite direction
serves to prevent the passage of the air through the channel T, while it is
permitted to pass freely through the channel T.
My improvements also consist in constructing the hulls of aerial vessels such
as are herein described, and the hulls of all aerial vessels which have the hulls

page_text: attached below the aerostat, with the exception of the aerial vessels which are
designed especially for perpendicular ascent, which are described in the Speci-
fication of my Patent of the 30th January 1854,and those which are described
as designed specially for the same purpose in the Specification of my Patentof
the 20th March 1855, and those which are adapted only for a single aeronaut,
of a double forin, on a principle as nearly as possible similar, that is to say, as
nearly similar as is suitable for the two different elements to that on which the
twin hulls are constructed for the navigation of the water, which are described
in the Specification of my Patent which bears date the 2nd of June 1854, my
object being to unite as far as practicable the advantages of the sharp prow
with those of the bluff prow, and to admit the current of air as it passes back-
wards from the front as the aerial vessel is impelled forwards as much as
possible under the centre of gravity, thereby better to assist or to have
increased force in assisting to sustain the weight; but as regards the hulls of
aerial vessels, I prefer forming the extreme foremost part of the combined
hulls in front, and decreasing the cross section gradually, or in a gradually
increasing proportion from the fore to the after extremity, as is shewn in
Figure 10 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, which shews the form of the
channel or passage for the air under the hull; the bottom of the hull is turned
uppermost in this Figure; the form and construction in every other respect
must be adapted to the aerial vessel with which the double hull is used.
When I make use of the double hull I make use of two pilot boats, such as I
have described in the Specification of my Patent of 30th January 1854, and
I place one pilot boat in each of the twin hulls, which are combined to form
the double hull. When the double hull is united to a rotary aerostat by
means of a shaft, as represented in Figure 19 of the Drawings which accom-
pany the Specification of my Patent dated 4th September 1856, I make this
shaft of a bifurcal form as regards those portions which proceed from the
double hull, one of the bifurcal portions proceeding from each of the prows a,a,
Figure 10, but these two portions of the shaft are united in one before they
reach the acrostat.
My improvements also consist in forming the vanes of such rotary acrostat
as are furnished with vanes, in other respects similar to those which are
indicted by the letters 1, 1, in Figure 20 of the Drawings which accompany
the Specification of my Patent of 20th March 1855, and which are indicated
by the same letters in the Figures in which rotary aerostats are represented
in the Drawings which accompany the Specification of my Pateut of 4th
September 1856, and which are inflated in a similar manner to these, with an
increased inclination at the hinder part, or with a slight curvature increasing

page_text: towards the hinderpart, or both. I prefer increasing both the inclination and
the curvature towards the hinder part; this increase of inclination or of
curvature,or of both, being gradual or in a regular increasing proportion; and
also in forming these vanes concave on that side on which it is required that
the air shall act as forcibly as possible against them, and slightly convex on
the opposite side, the concavity on the first-mentioned side increasing gradually
or in a regularly increasing proportion from the fore to the hinder extremity of
each vane. I furnish these vanes with valves opening inwards on the convex
side of each vane, valves opening outwards being placed on the concave side of
cach vane; the general principles upon which these valves are formed being
similar to those upon which the valves described in the Specification of my
Patent of Fourth September, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six,and
which are indicated by the letters & and to in the Drawings which accompany
that Specification, are formed. I prefer furnishing these vanes with air
channels, so constructed as to permit the air to pass through them from the
convex side of each vane to the concave side, but not in the opposite direction,
on a principle somewhat similar to that in which the air is permitted to pass
through chanuels in the improved propellers, which are described in the
Specification of my Patent dated the Fourth September, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-six; 1 place valves opening inwards at the extremity of each
channel which is at the convex side of each vane, and 1 place valves opening
outwards at the extremity of each channel which is at the concave side of the
vane; but these last-mentioned channels are not necessary. I have described
small oblique air channels in the Specification of my Patent dated the
Twentieth of March, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, as-used for
rotary aerostats,regarding which I claim the following improvement, that is to
say: When I make use of air channels passing through the vanes, I make use
of as many of these oblique air channels passing through theaerostat from the
main air channel to the outer circumference as I form air channels passing
through the vaues, and I prefer that these shall be as numerous as can con-
veniently be formed, according to the size of the aerostat, without adding too
much to the weight by the additional materials. I form these air channels of
silk, calico, or linen, to which I unite paper, with glue or copal varnish
to stiffen the material, and I sustain them in the required form by hoops of
elastic wood, and I place pieces of slit cane or recds, such as are described in
the Specification of my Patent of Thirtieth January, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-four, length wise, both the slit canes or reeds and the hoops
being sewed into the material; I place the small air channels which pass
through the aerostat from the main air channel to the outer circumference

page_text: with similar inclinations to that of the small air channels, which I have
described as passing from the main air channel to the outer circumference of
the rotary acrostat which is described in the Specification of my Patent of
Twentieth of March, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five; and I arrange
the positions of these air channels, and that of the air channels which pass
through the vanes, in such a manner that the air which passes out of each of
the small oblique air channels in the body of the aerostat passes out in the
direction of the aperture of one or other of the air channels which are formed
in the vanes on the convex side, so that the natural direction of the current of
air which passes through each of the smulloblique air channels in the body of
the acrostat shall cause it to enter the air channel in the vane which is nearest
to it, whenever the force of the current of air passing through the small air
channel in the aerostat is sufficient to open the valve with which the
extremities of the air channel in the vane is furnished.
I mentioned in the Specification of my Patent bearing date the Fourth
September, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, that curtains may be
adapted to the several forms of aerial vessels which are described in that and
in my former Specification, so as to protect them to a considerable extent
from injury from the weather while at anchor. My improvements in th's part
of my Invention consist in forming portions of these curtains in such a naiinor
that they are capable of being drawn over the fore aperture of the main
air channel while the aoriel vessel is sailing, or suspended in the air, in such a
manner that the air shall be either completely or partially prevented from
eutering at the fore aperture of the main air channel, the object being to assist
in stopping or retarding the progress of the aeriel vessel, either previous
to descending or at any time that this may be desirable; and also in making
use of curtains not only to afford a protection or partial protection to the
aerostats which are represented in Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of the
Drawings which accompany the Specification of iny Patent of the Twentieth
March, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, and those of a form and
construction similar to that which is represented in Figure 16 of the Drawings
which accompany the Specification of my Patent of Fourth September, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, but I form these curtains in such
a manner that a portion can be drawn across the upper aperture of the main
air channel when desirable while sailing, or while they are suspended in the
air; and curtains may also be adapted for similar purposes to the ascensional
aerostat, which is represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings which
accompany the Specification of my Patent of Twentieth March, One thousand

page_text: eight hundred and fifty-five, but they will be less likely to be found necessary
for the latter.
When I adapt curtains to the rotary acrostats I prolong the combinations
of caues or of bamboos and canes which are used to strengthen the vanes, or
it may be the combinations of cancs or of bamboos and canes which are placed
longitudinally and sewed into the material of which the envelope is composed,
or both, forwards, so that they meet or cross each other in front. I prefer
that the extremities which project in front should be light, in which caso I lap
the extremities of each two which are directly opposite to each other, so that
the extremities can be bound strongly together with light cords in the form of
a semicircle, or nearly so; four of these at the least must be so extended
across the fore opening of the main air channel, and I attach tackles at the
point directly opposite the central line of the aerostat at the foremost part, and
I'draw those portions of the curtains which are so formed as to be capable of
being diawn across the fore aperture of the channel by means of cords, a part
of each of which is sewed in the material of which the curtains are formed;
there must be at least four portions capable of being so drawn, and there may
be a greater number; they all terminate in points which meet at the centre,
where they are drawn forward directly in front of the central line of the
acrostat, tliat is to say, of a line drawn longitudinally through the centre of
the aerostat, so that when they are all drawn forward, the fore extremity of
the acrostat assumes a hemispherical form, or nearly so; when they are drawn
backwards they lie upon the outside of the aerostat, and other cords are
attached to them, which are drawn to tackles placed sufficiently aft to cause
them to lie closely on the aerostat; when they are drawn back the extremities
of the cords are conducted to the hull for acrostats, which are formed as that
which is represented in Figures 17 and 18 of the Drawings which accompany
the Specification of my Patent bearing date the Twentieth March, Oue thou-
sand eight hundred and fifty-five. The combination of canes which are placed
longitudinally and sewed in the seams to strengthen the aerostat, as described
in the Specification of that Patent, are prolonged in position in a similar
manner, and these portions of the curtains which are to be drawn across the
aperture of the main air channel, when so required, are similarly formed and
similarly drawn either across the fore aperture of the main air channel or
backwards when desired. In aerostats which are formed as those represented
in Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of the Drawings which accompany
the sume Specification, when curtains are used with these aerostats, portions
of which are capable of being drawn across the upper or foremost extremity

page_text: of the main air channel, combinations of canes must be sewed in the material
of which the envelope is formed, in such a manner that their upper or fore-
most extremities being of sufficient length they will meet or cross each other
in front of or above the fore or upper aperture of the main air channel; those
portions of the curtains which are to be drawn across the upper or fore aper-
ture of the main air channel, when so required, are drawn either across this
aperture or backwards, in a similar manner to that already described. I make
use of the expression, the fore or upper extremity of the main air channel, as
applied to the nerostats last mentioned, because being capable of having their
inclination changed, and their inclination being generally at a greater angle
with the horizon than the rotary aerostats, or those represented in Figures 17
and 18 of the Drawings which accompany the Specification of my Patent of
the 20th March 1855, it depends upon the degree of inclination at which they
may be placed, whether the term upper or fore extremity would be most
appropriate; and the same applies to aeriel vessels which are formed as that
which is represented in Figure 16 of the Drawings which accompany the
Specification of my Patent of 4th September 1856; when curtains of this
kind are used for aeriel vessels of this description, those portions which are
required to be capable of being drawn across the upper or fore aperture of the
main air channel are drawn either across or backwards in a similar manner,
as desired, combinations of ennes being sewed in the seams, and their upper
or fore extremities being united in front of the main air channel in a similar
manner to that described as applicable to the other aerostats; and curtains
may also be used for the ascensional aerostats which are represented in
Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings which accompany the Specification of
my Patent of 20th March 1855, portions of which may be formed and
adjusted sons to be capable of being drawn across the upper extremities of the
main air channel; when this is required to be done, combinatious of canes
must be sewed in a similar manner in the seams, and they must be of suffi-
cient length to meet or to cross each other at top above the centre of the main
air channel,and the portions of the curtains to be drawn' across when required
may be drawn in a similar manner either across the upper aperture of the
channel or downwards, as may be required.
My present Invention also consists in the construction of retractile tubes, or
of two tubes, one of which is capable of sliding within the other, or it may be
a greater number, capable of sliding within each other with a spiral spring
within then, the upper end of the spring being attached to the upper extremity
of the upper tube, and a rod being attached to the lower end of the spring, i:

page_text: such a manner that the lower end of the rod projects downwards to a sufficient
extent to strike the ground, or any obstacle which might be likely to injure the
aeriel vessel or machine, so as to give warning of the same to the navigator or
navigators, in the following manner, that is to say -This rod being continued
upwards within the spiral spring, and its upper end projecting to a sufficient
distance above the spring and the tubes, when the lower end strikes any object,
the spring is thereby contracted, and the upper end of the rod is caused to
strike against a bell or other alarm. I form the lower extremity of the rod of
a hemispherical form, or nearly so, in order that it may be as little liable as
possible to catch in any object against which it may strike ; excopt when a plank
is used in addition, as is herein-after described, 1 make use of one, two, or
more of these according to the size and construction of the aeriel vessel or
machine, but I prefer making use of two or more, even for the smallest
machines, and 1 fix the upper end of each in any convenient part of the hull
of the vessel, or under the scat of the aeriel machine when such is constructed
for the use of a single aeronant; one of these is shewn in section in Figure 11
of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Another modification, and that which I generally prefer, is as follows:-I
fix the lower ends of all the rods which are used for this purpose, in a plank,
in which they are firmly screwed or bolted, the lower side of this plank being
perfectly smooth, and I prefer that the edges should be rounded off, so as to
lessen as much as possible the danger of its becoming entangled or caught by
any object against which it may strike, and I prefer that this plank shall be
as long and as broad, or even a little longer and broader, than the bottom of
the hull of the aeriel vessel, or the bottom of the machine in vessels which
have not double hulls of the form herein-before described, in order to insure
the plank striking any object before it can strike against the hull; when used
with a double hull, I prefer fixing one of these planks, such as I have
described under each of the twin hulls, leaving an opening between for the
air to pass freely; the lower sides of these planks are seen in their position in
Figures 1 and 4 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, where they are indicated
by the letters s, s; the portions o, o. are made capable of either sliding longi-
tudinally, or being opened by means of hinges whenever the pilot boats are
required to be let down; the pilot boats are similar to those described in the
Specification of my Patent bearing date the 30th January 1854, but two
pilot boats are used with double hulls.
My present improvements also consist in forming the frame of that portion
of aericl machines which are designed for the use of a single aeronaut,

page_text: which immediately supports the aeronaut and other weight to be carried, of a
number of steel pieces so formed that they can be screwed or bolted together,
or taken to pieces when necessary, in such a manner that each steel piece, or
as many as may require it, may be passed through a block or blocks, or have
any additional strengthening pieces added to them, after which these steel
pieces are screwed or bolted together again in their proper places; these steel
pieces being the principal supports of the seat upon which the aeronaut sits,
and of that portion of the machine to which the grapnels cr anchors and other
weight which is required to be carried are attached, and to which the springs
are attached, by means of which the wings and propellers are worked.
As regards the application of parts of my present improvements to loco-
motion generally, I unite acrostats constructed on the principles herein-before
described to vessels navigating the water, or to locomotives to be used on land,
and I use them in conjunction with these, in a manner as nearly similar as the
different forms and construction of the acrostats lierein-before described will
admit, to that in which acrostats areused inconjunction with vesselsnavigating
the water, or with locomotives to be used on land, as described in the Speci-
fication of my Patent bearing date the 2nd June 1854, for " Improvements in
Locomotion on Land and Water,&c.," or to that in which acrostats are used
in conjunction with vessels navigating the water, or with locomotives to be
used on land, as described in the Specification of my Patent for "Improve-
ments in Aerial navigation, and the Apparatus connected therewith, Parts of
which are applicable to Locomotion generally," which is dated the 4th Sep-
tember 1856; and when so used in conjunction with vessels navigating the
water, or with locomotives to be used on land, I place the apparatus, which is
worked by means of the weight of the crew, or of a portion of them, or of
the crew or of a portion of them united with that of any convenient portion
of the cargo, or of any weight which is required to be carried in vessels
navigating the water, in the hull of the vessel; and in locomotives to be used
on land, I place the apparatus, which is worked by means of the weight of
men employed for that purpose, or of men in conjunction with that of any
portion of the weight to be carried, which can conveniently be so utilized, in
the carriage or body of the locomotive and when adapted to canal boats, I
place the apparatus in the boat; the apparatus being similar to that herein-
before described as adapted to aerial navigation, and similarly actuated, that
is to say, in vessels navigating the water with which an acrostatis used which
is actuated by the crew, or by a portion of them; and when the weight of the
cargo, or a portion thereof, is not utilized in conjunction with that of the crew

page_text: or persons employed for that purpose, the arrangement is similar to that
which has been herein-before described under similar circumstances as appli-
cable to aerial navigation; and when the weight of the cargo, or a portion
thereof, is utilized in conjunction with that of the crew or persons em-
ployed for the purpose, the arrangement is similar to that which has
been herein-beforo described as applicable to the purposes of aerial navi-
gation under similar circumstances. A vibrating or oscillating motion
may be communicated to the aerostat when combined with a vessel
navigating the water, or with a locomotive used on land, with which an
aerostat can be combined, and the apparatus is in this case adapted in a
similar manner to that in which it is adapted to give an oscillating orvibrating
motion to an aerostat for the purposes of aerial navigation; and I combine the
aerostat with the hull of the vessel, or with the body of the locomotive, in a
similar manner to that in which I combine oscillating or vibrating aerostats
with the hulls of aerial vessels, as herein-before described; or the fore part of
the aerostat may be caused to rise, and then to descend or strike downwards
against the external air, in the manner herein-before described when combined
with a vessel navigating the water, or with a locomotive used on land, with
which an nerostat can be combined, in which case the apparatus is adapted in
a similar manner to that herein-before described as used to actuate an aerostat
in this manner for the purposes of acrial navigation; and I connect it with
the hull of the vessel, or with the body of the locomotive, in a similar manner
to that in which I connect an aerostat to which this kind of motion is com-
municated for the purposes of aerial navigation to the hull of the aerial vessel,
as herein-before described. The weight of the crew, or a portion of them,
either combined with that of the cargo, or of a portion thereof, or otherwise,
may be applied to actuate the wings of acrostats which are used with vessels
navigating the water, which are constructed in a similar manner to those
described in the Specification of my Patent bearing date the 2nd of June 1854,
or to actuate the wings and propellers of vessels navigating the water, or loco-
motives to be used on land, which are constructed as described in the Speci-
fication of my Patent which bears date the 4th September 1856. The con-
struction of as many of them as have their extremities or terminal portions so
formed that they strike more frequently than the basal or main portions, being
so far altered that this action is dispensed with in the wings and propellers,
which are actuated by the means now described; and the cords which are
used to work the wings and propellers are conducted in each, as is shewn in
the Figures in which these vessels and locomotives are represented, previous

page_text: to their extremities being attached to the handles which are held by the
persons who actuate them; the arrangement of the apparatus being in other
respects similar to that which is herein-before described as used to actuate
the wings of the aerostat, and the wings proper, and the propellers aerial
vessels in which the aerostat is not actuated.
A propeller formed on a similar principle, so far as its vibrating motion, to
that which is described in the Specification of my Patent of the 4th of Sep-
tember 1856, and two modifications of which are shewn in Figures 13 and 24
of the Drawings which accompany that Specification, in the latter of which it
is indicated by the letter a, but of a longer form in proportion than either of
the modifications represented in those Drawings, especially when used for
railway cars or canal boats, may be used with any of the vessels for navigating
the water, or locomotives to be used on land, which are described in either of
my two last-mentioned Specifications; and when a propeller to which a
vibrating motion is given is used for any of these, I connect it to the hull of the
vessel, or to the body of the locomotive, in a similar manner to that in
which I connect an oscillating or vibrating aerostat to the hull of a vessel,
as herein-before described, except that I attach the propeller to the end of the
rod or shaft.
I do not limit myself to the exact forms and proportions represented in
the Drawings, but I prefer them.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
Firstly, the utilization of the woight of the acronauts or crew, or of one
or more of them, for the purpose of actuating the aerostats, or the wings,
or the propellers of aerial vessels, or all of these, in the manner herein-before
described; and the utilization of the weight of the aeronauts or crew, or of
one or more of them, in conjunction with the weight of cargo, or of any
articles that are required to be carried in the aerial vessel, or of a portion
thereof, in the manner herein-before described.
Secondly, the construction and employment of air channels, for the purpose
of assisting in giving an oscillating or vibrating motion to aerostats,as herein-
before described.
Thirdly, the construction of the hulls of aerial vessels in the form herein-
before described.
Fourthly,I claim generally the improvements, herein-before described, both
conjointly and separately, and the application to locomotion generally of these
improvements, or of a part or parts thereof, (with the exception of the im-

page_text: proved form of hulls for aerial vessels, and the improvement in the frame of
sinall aerial machines,and the contrivance to guard against accidents orinjury
to aerial vessels by striking unexpectedly against any obstacle, these being
only applicable to aerial navigation).
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin O'Neale Stratford, Earl of
Aldborough, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day
of October, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
ALDBOROUGH. (L.S.)