DREADNOUGHT OF THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1890, 27 October 1913, Page 11

DREADNOUGHT OF THE AIR

. ——— WHAT THE "ZEPPELIN LI" WAS LIKE. Zeppelin, LI, wrecked in a gale off the Gorman coast during the recMit manoeuvres (several lives being lost), was built at Friedriclishafen, in Count Zeppelin's works, and was officially inspected in October of last year by tho German Naval Commission appointed to watch her trials. She was a 'huge cigar-shaped craft or unequalled power at tho date when she was designed. Her length was 525 ft., or greater than that of the Dreadnought, and her diameter 60ft. She had a capaeity of 776,000 cubic feet. She was divided into eighteen separate compartments, containing the hydrogen gas which sustained her in the air, and had outside those compartments a ring-shaped double bottom containing air or nonflammable gas, the whole enclosed in rubber-ooited fabric. She was propelled by three engines, each, of 170 horsepower/ one placed in the forward .car suspended to her structure, and tho two others in. the after-car. On the'top of gas-chambers was a platform of aluminium alloy, carrying a one-pounder gun and used as an observation station. In addition to this weapon she is believed to have carried 'anothor one-pounder gun and four machine guns in her cars. She was fitted with a wireless telegraphy installation capable of sending messages 350 miles, and had a speed of about forty-five wiles in fine weather. Sho could carry a weight of seven tons over and abovo her engines, cars, and fittings. Tho framework of the ship was of alhimiiiium alloy and wood, maintaining her shape and tho rigidity of her gas-bags. To steer her vertically she had six vortical planes, and eight horizontal planes enabled her to ascend or descend and thus change her level. She was capable of rising to the height of a mile, and had a radius of action of about 1000 miles in fine weather at half-power. A Formidable Foe. Extraordinary reliance was placed upon her and ships of this type in Germany. Indeed, only a fow weeks sinCo a German technical periodical asserted that all non-rigid airships would be at the mercy of such a- vessel, and pro-: vision his been made for building ten Zeppelins of similar or improved type for the Germany Navy. It Was a Vessel of almost identical pattern, that is believed to have paid the famous surprise visit to Slieerness in the night- last year. Tho navigation of such airships is a work requiring peculiar 'skill and delicate handling, especially when entering or leaving their sheds. But it waß generally supposed before this disaster that they were safe in the open so long as thoir gas held out or no accident befo'l their engines. Most of tlie previous accidents to Zeppelins have occurred when they wore compelled by some misadventure to effcot a landing ill difficult country and in a wind. /' Being rigid, no pressure is required in tbfi gas-chambers to maintain the Zeppelin's shape, and thus, it was maintained, aircraft of this pattern were not readily vulnerable to projectiles, which would only tear small holes. The gas would escape through these but slowly, even if all the eighteen compartments were pierced, and tho vessel would be able to cotna down. Indeed, LI was regarded as a veritable Dreadnought of the air, and was the prido of ilio whole Gorman nation, whoso command of that element it was believed she and her successors would establish.