AIRSHIPS IN WAR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3194, 20 May 1909, Page 3

AIRSHIPS IN WAR.

The recent announcement by ihe British Admiralty that the subject of aerial navigation is just now receiving their attention goes to show that the future possibilities .of the airship as a destructive instrument of war are now recognised. According to the "Motor," of March 9th, England is building Dreadnoughts which cost two millions apiece, but the future utility of event the best Dreadnoughts is more or less uncertain in view of the great development of the aeroplance and airship. There are close on a dozen dirigibles on the Continent to-day that can accomplish a non-stop trip of 500 miles easily; in fact, 700 miles would be nearer the mark. The extra carrying capacity of some of these apart from the crew is equal to about one ton. It is impossible to realise the amount of damage that ,could be effected by but a fraction of this weight of high explosive. The position of a large battleship with a dirigible equipped for dropping shells, within range, say, about halt'-a-mile, would be decided awkward. A 1001b shell charged with dynamite landed squarely amongst the upper works of a battleship would certainly wreck it. And so far there is admittedly no defence possible from the sea against an attacking airship. It can sail at so high an elevation as to be out of view, and yet be able to take its own bearings relative to forts, shipping, arsenals and dockyards. Then it can descend to closer range to discharge its explosives on the desired place. It may be argued that the dirigible could not hit any mark unless it descended to a very low elevation. Rangefinders and optical applances, however, would be used (the journal continues) to eliminate chance or guess work, just as in ordinary artillery flying. Then, as to cost, a long distance, high-speed dirigible, can be made for £IOO,OOO, or even £75,000, which means a fleet of 20 dirigibles as against one Dreadnought. The Germans, according to latest files, are seriously alarmed at the increase in the number of French dirigibles stationed within striking distance of their main hrfe of fortresses round about Metz and Strasburg, and have organised a motor-artillery corps, equipped with' high-angle guns, mounted on fast cars. It is not at all certain, however, to judge from military criticism of these, that the, airship destroyers will prove a success.