按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
had undergone complete remodelling； while tools of the latest
type had been provided to facilitate the rapid construction and
overhaul of the monster Zeppelin dirigibles。 Nothing had been
left to chance； not an item was perfunctorily completed。 The
whole organisation was perfect； both in equipment and
operation。 Each of the above stations possessed provision for
an aerial Dreadnought as well as one or more aerial cruisers；
in addition to scouts or vedettes。
Upon the outbreak of hostilities Germany's dirigible fleet was in
a condition of complete preparedness； was better organised； and
better equipped than that of any of her rivals。 At the same time
it constituted more of a paper than a fighting array for reasons
which I will explain later。 But there was another point which
had escaped general observation。 Standardisation of parts and
the installation of the desired machinery had accomplished one
greatly desired endthe construction of new craft had been
accelerated。 Before the war an interesting experiment was
carried out to determine how speedily a vessel could be built。
The result proved that a dirigible of the most powerful type
could be completed within eight weeks and forthwith the various
constructional establishments were brought into line so as to
maintain this rate of building。
The growth of the Zeppelin； although built upon disaster； has
been amazing。 The craft of 1906 had a capacity of 430；000 cubic
feet and a speed of 36 miles per hour。 In 1911 the creator of
this type launched a huge craft having a capacity of 627；000
cubic feet。 In the meantime speed had likewise been augmented by
the use of more powerful motors until 52 miles an hour was
attained。 But this by no means represented the limit。 The
foregoing vessels had been designed for land service purely and
simply； but now the German authorities demanded similar craft for
naval use； possessed of high speed and greater radius of action。
Count Zeppelin rose to the occasion； and on October 7th； 1912；
launched at Friedrichshafen the monster craft 〃L…I；〃 525 feet in
length； 50 feet in diameter； of 776；900 cubic feet capacity； a
displacement of 22 tons and equipped with three sets of motors
aggregating more than 500 horse…power； and capable of imparting a
speed of 52 miles per hour。
The appearance of this craft was hailed with intense delight by
the German nation； while the naval department considered her to
be a wonderful acquisition； especially after the searching
reliability trial。 In charge of Count Zeppelin and manned by a
crew of 22 officers and men together with nearly three tons of
fuelthe fuel capacity conveys some idea of her possible radius
of actionshe travelled from Friedrichshafen to Johannisthal in
32 hours。 On this remarkable journey another point was
established which was of far…reaching significance。 The vessel
was equipped with wireless telegraphy and therewith she kept in
touch with the earth below throughout the journey； dropping and
picking up wireless stations as she progressed with complete
facility。 This was a distinct achievement； inasmuch as the vessel
having been constructed especially for naval operations she would
be able to keep in touch with the warships below； guiding them
unerringly during their movement。
The cross…country trip having proved so completely successful the
authorities were induced to believe that travelling over water
would be equally satisfactory。 Accordingly the 〃L…I〃 was
dispatched to the island of Heligoland； the intention being to
participate in naval manoeuvres in order to provide some reliable
data as to the value of these craft operating in conjunction with
warships。 But in these tests German ambition and pride received
a check。 The huge Zeppelin was manoeuvring over the North Sea
within easy reach of Heligoland； when she was caught by one of
those sudden storms peculiar to that stretch of salt water。 In a
moment she was stricken helpless； her motive power was
overwhelmed by the blind forces of Nature。 The wind caught her
as it would a soap…bubble and hurled her into the sea；
precipitating the most disastrous calamity in the annals of
aeronautics； since not only was the ship lost； but fifteen of her
crew of 22 officers and men were drowned。
The catastrophe created consternation in German aeronautical
circles。 A searching inquiry was held to explain the disaster；
but as usual it failed to yield much material information。 It is
a curious circumstance； but every successive Zeppelin disaster；
and their number is legion； has been attributable to a new cause。
In this instance the accident was additionally disturbing；
inasmuch as the ship had been flying across country continuously
for about twelve months and had covered more miles than any
preceding craft of her type。 No scientific explanation for the
disaster was forthcoming； but the commander of the vessel； who
sank with his ship； had previously ventured his personal opinion
that the vessel was over…loaded to meet the calls of ambition；
was by no means seaworthy； and that sooner or later she would be
caught by a heavy broadside wind and rendered helpless； or that
she would make a headlong dive to destruction。 It is a
significant fact that he never had any faith in the airship； at
least for sea duty； though in response to official command he
carried out his duties faithfully and with a blind resignation to
Fate。
Meantime； owing to the success of the 〃L…I〃 in cross…country
operations； another and more powerful craft； the 〃L…II〃 had been
taken in hand； and this was constructed also for naval use。
While shorter than her consort； being only 487 feet over all；
thisvessel had a greater beam55 feet。 This latter increase was
decided because it was conceded to be an easier matter to provide
for greater beam than enhanced length in the existing air…ship
harbours。 The 〃L…II〃 displaced 27 tonsfive tons in excess of
her predecessor。 In this vessel many innovations were
introduced； such as the provision of the passage…way connecting
the cars within the hull； instead of outside the latter as had
hitherto been the practice； while the three cars were placed more
closely together than formerly。 The motors were of an improved
type； giving an aggregate output of 900 horse…power； and were
divided into four separate units； housed in two engine…rooms； the
front car being a replica in every detail of the navigating
bridge of a warship。
This vessel was regarded as a distinct improvement upon the
〃L…I；〃 although the latter could boast some great achievements。
But her glory was short…lived。 In the course of the Government
trials； while some 900 feet aloft； the huge vessel suddenly
exploded and was burned in the air； a mass of broken and twisted
metal…work falling to the ground。 Of the 28 officers and men；
including members of the Admiralty Board who were conducting the
official trials； all but one w