Aeronautics and Insular Defences

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 53, 20 October 1892, Page 4

Aeronautics and Insular Defences

"Iff can rise" (says Mr M, Maxim, of gun renown) '• from the coast of France, sail through the air across the Channel, and drop half a ton of nitro glycerine upon an English city, I can revolutionise the world. I believe I can 00 it, if I live long enough; If I die, someone will come alter m 3 who will be successful if I fail." Well may Captain Fullerton, K.E., an authority on this subject, say that if they realise the expectations of their inventors aerial machines will enormously affect the position of the United Kingdom. A total change (as he observes) will have to be made in our defensive By stem ; the value of navy will be very much reduced, and the " silver streak," of which we hear so constantly, will for all practical purposes, disappear. An aerial navy of the very first class will then be an absolute necessity. Fortunately * or ns there are some practical difficulties and unsolved problems, Mr George Phillips, R.K., oberves that a successful aerial machine heavier than ai r will require co be able to to take its own weight irom rest, and to come down vertically and gently; Mr String fellow— a name which may have a prophetic significance for Mr Maxim if he should be catighi with! his nitro-glycerine balloon anywhere in these isles — adds that if any part of the mechanism wenc w-rpng, or the motive power were to stop, all control would be lost, and it must come down crash ; as a bird will if it is winged. — Daily News.