aeroplanes and dirigibles of war-第5节
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envelope taking the form of a polygonal cylinder with
hemispherical ends; constructed upon substantial lines with a
metallic skeleton encased within an impermeable skin; and charged
with a number of smaller balloon…shaped vessels containing the
lifting agenthydrogen gaswould fulfil his requirements to the
greatest advantage。 Model after model was built upon these
lines。 Each was subjected to searching tests with the invariable
result attending such work with models。 Some fulfilled the
expectations of the inventor; others resolutely declined to
illustrate his reasonings in any direction。
The inevitable happened。 When a promising model was completed
finally the inventor learned to his sorrow what every inventor
realises in time。 His fortune and the resources of others had
been poured down the sink of experiment。 To carry the idea from
the model to the practical stage required more money; and it was
not forthcoming。 The inventor sought to enlist the practical
sympathy of his country; only to learn that in Germany; as in
other lands; the axiom concerning the prophet; honour; and
country prevails。 No exuberant inventor received such a cold
douche from a Government as did Count Zeppelin from the Prussian
authorities。 For two years further work was brought practically
to a standstill: nothing could be done unless the sinews of war
were forthcoming。 His friends; who had assisted him financially
with his models; now concluded that their aid had been misplaced。
The inventor; though disappointed; was by no means cast down。 He
clung tenaciously to his pet scheme and to such effect that in
1896 a German Engineering Society advanced him some funds to
continue his researches。 This support sufficed to keep things
going for another two years; during which time a full…sized
vessel was built。 The grand idea began to crystallise rapidly;
with the result that when a public company was formed in 1898;
sufficient funds were rendered available to enable the first
craft to be constructed。 It aroused considerable attention; as
well it might; seeing that it eclipsed anything which had
previously been attempted in connection with dirigibles。 It was
no less than 420 feet in length; by 38 feet in diameter; and was
fitted with two cars; each of which carried a sixteen horse…power
motor driving independent propellers rigidly attached to the body
of the vessel。 The propellers were both vertical and horizontal;
for the purpose of driving the ship in the two planesvertical
and horizontal respectively。
The vessel was of great scientific interest; owing to the
ingenuity of its design and construction。 The metallic skeleton
was built up from aluminium and over this was stretched the
fabric of the envelope; care being observed to reduce skin
friction; as well as to achieve impermeability。 But it was the
internal arrangement of the gas…lifting balloons which provoked
the greatest concern。 The hull was divided into compartments;
each complete in itself; and each containing a small balloon
inflated with hydrogen。 It was sub…division as practised in
connection with vessels ploughing the water applied to aerial
craft; the purpose being somewhat the same。 As a ship of the
seas will keep afloat so long as a certain number of its
subdivisions remain watertight; so would the Zeppelin keep aloft
if a certain number of the gas compartments retained their
charges of hydrogen。 There were no fewer than seventeen of these
gas…balloons arranged in a single line within the envelope。
Beneath the hull and extending the full length of the latter was
a passage which not only served as a corridor for communication
between the cars; but also to receive a weight attached to a
cable worked by a winch。 By the movement of this weight the bow
or stem of the vessel could be tilted to assist ascent and
descent。
The construction of the vessel subsequently proved to be the
easiest and most straightforward part of the whole undertaking。
There were other and more serious problems to be solved。 How
would such a monster craft come to earth? How could she be
manipulated upon the ground? How could she be docked? Upon
these three points previous experience was silent。 One German
inventor who likewise had dreamed big things; and had carried
them into execution; paid for his temerity and ambitions with his
life; while his craft was reduced to a mass of twisted and torn
metal。 Under these circumstances Count Zeppelin decided to carry
out his flights over the waters of the Bodensee and to house his
craft within a floating dock。 In this manner two uncertain
factors might be effectively subjugated。
Another problem had been ingeniously overcome。 The outer
envelope presented an immense surface to the atmosphere; while
temperature was certain to play an uncertain part in the
behaviour of the craft。 The question was to reduce to the
minimum the radiation of heat and cold to the bags containing the
gas。 This end was achieved by leaving a slight air space between
the inflated gas balloons and the inner surface of the hull。
The first ascent was made on July 2nd; 1900; but was
disappointing; several breakdowns of the mechanism occurring
while the vessel was in mid…air; which rendered it unmanageable;
although a short flight was made which sufficed to show that an
independent speed of 13 feet per second could be attained。 The
vessel descended and was made fast in her dock; the descent being
effected safely; while manoeuvring into dock was successful。 At
least three points about which the inventor had been in doubt
appeared to be solvedhis airship could be driven through the air
and could be steered; it could be brought to earth safely; and it
could be docked。
The repairs to the mechanism were carried out and on October 17th
and 21st of the same year further flights were made。 By this
time certain influential Teuton aeronautical experts who had
previously ridiculed Zeppelin's idea had made a perfect
volte…face。 They became staunch admirers of the system; while
other meteorological savants participated in the trials for the
express purpose of ascertaining just what the ship could do。 As
a result of elaborate trigonometrical calculations it was
ascertained that the airship attained an independent speed
of 30 feet per second; which exceeded anything previously
achieved。 The craft proved to be perfectly manageable in the
air; and answered her helm; thus complying with the terms of
dirigibility。 The creator was flushed with his triumph; but at
the same time was doomed to experience misfortune。 In its
descent the airship came to 〃earth〃 with such a shock that it was
extensively damaged。 The cost of repairing the vessel was so
heavy that the company declined to shoulder the liability; and as
the Count was unable to defray the expense the wreck was
abandoned。
Although a certain meed of success had been achieved the outlook
seemed very black for the inventor。 No one had any faith in his
idea。 He made imploring appeals for further money; embarked upon
lecturing campaigns; wrote aviation articles for the Press; and
canvassed possible supporters in the effort to raise funds for
his next enterprise。 Two years passed; but the fruits of the
propaganda were meagre。 It was at this juncture; when everything
appeared to be impossible; that Count Zeppelin discovered his
greatest friend。 The German Emperor; with an eye ever fixed upon
new developments; had followed Zeppelin's uphill struggle; and at
last; in 1902; came to his aid by writing a letter which ran:
〃Since your varied flights have been reported to me it is a great
pleasure to me to express my acknowledgment of your patience and
your labours; and the endurance with which you have pressed on
through manifold hindrances till success was near。 The
advantages of your system have given your ship the greatest
attainable speed and dirigibility; and the important results you
have obtained have produced an epoch…making step forward in the
construction of airships and leave laid down a valuable basis for
future experiments。〃
This Imperial appreciation of what had been accomplished proved
to be the turning point in the inventor's fortunes。 It
stimulated financial support; and the second airship was taken in
hand。 But misfortune still pursued him。 Accidents were of
almost daily occurrence。 Defects were revealed here and
weaknesses somewhere else。 So soon as one trouble was overcome
another made itself manifest。 The result was that the whole of
the money collected by his hard work was expended before the ship
could take to the air。 A further crash and blasting of cherished
hopes appeared imminent; but at this moment another Royal
personage came to the inventor's aid。
The King of Wurtemberg took a personal interest in his subject's
uphill struggle; and the Wurtemberg Government