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WAR NOTES.

BIGGER AND BIGGER ZEPPELINS. Notwithstanding the remarkable increase in size of German airships, even greater craft ave being seriously discussed. Herr C. Dornier, Count von Zeppelin's associate engineer, in an article contributed to the proceedings of a body corresponding to the British Institute of Naval Architects, calculates that it is possible to build a Zeppelin 985 ft long and 98Vaft in diameter. To appreciate the size of such an airship it must be

understood that the "Saxone" naval Zeppelin airship type, built in 1914, and considered by many aeronautical engineers to represent a fairly close approach to the limits of the practical as regards the of craft that could be handled iii the difficult operations of launching and landing, was only half the length and half that diameter. The "Saxone"

type has actually been surpassed in size in the largest naval type Zeppelins built and used in this war; but nothing approaching Herr Dornier's latest calculations for a mammoth airship has yet appeared. He allows an efficiency of 70 per cent, for the engines, a fuel consumption of .531b per h.p. hour, a freight load of 33,0001b, and gives an assumed speed of only 5o miles per hour, with a radius of flight of 3172 miles in . r >7 l /s hours. It is a tremendous conception, and if translated into fact would give Germany a sinister weapon indeed. So far the Zeppelins have been unable to accomplish anything of military value by way of offensive action; but we have long ceased to treat them 'ightly, and one would now hesitate to predict what the future of such craft is to be. Their growing abiljjby to carry heavier loads further distances and at greatly increased heights suggests that.sooner or later they may 'have to be taken as serious weapons of offence in a strictly military sense. The great drawback of the Zeppelins of to-day is that they are compelled to operate at night; but the rapidly increased climbing power may conceivably, in the future, enable thera to "Operate in half-lights, if not in broad daylight, and so will their bomb-drop-ping become less and less a haphazard business.

JELLICOE AND HIS MES. A Russian journalist, who recently inspected the British Fleet, writes as follows of Admiral Jellicoe and' his men:

—"ln Russia Sir John Jellicoe is a national hero, almost a national idol. Our children cherish his photograph, and know his features by heart. Yet when we were at last confronted by the man who directs the immense destiny of the British' forces on the seas I could hardly believe lay eyes. He seemed much too simple and modest and genial a personality to be at the ftelm of such a terrible and tremendous machine as the British Navy. And yet, when I asked him if it was true fhat he had written a personal letter to a little English girl who had sent a gift td the Fleet, he told me that every day he had similar letters to write to his children friends at home. Nevertheless the evidence of his power and strength of character was everywhere—in the discipline, efficiency, and quickness one saw in the conduct of his officers and men. Best of all I liked the British sailors. I talked to many of them, and they talked to me, and showed me their quarters, and their cheerful mottoes and notices on the wall, and the ingenious toys they had made out of battle-splinters. My body still aches from the heartiness of their many friendly slaps on the shoulder. They arc' splendid, handsome fellows, full of optimism, courage, and high spirits, doing their work as quickly, cheerfully, and enthusiastically as if they were playing a game—as indeed they are! I met one sailor who had'jumped overboard in the coldest weather and risked his life to save a drowning dog. And there was a little midshipman I talked to whose relatives lived only four hours' journey away, but who had not been able to-see them for eight months, so arduous were his duties. But he was quite cheerful, taking everything in good part, and recognising that it all was part of the game he and his friends had set themselves to play."

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19160517.2.14

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1916, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
705

WAR NOTES. Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1916, Page 3

WAR NOTES. Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1916, Page 3

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