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below。 Naturally the latter； directly it observed the airman's
object； would endeavour to elude the pursuing trawling mine；
either by crowding on speed or by rising to a greater altitude。
The aeroplane； however； would have the advantage both in point of
speed and powers of climbing； while there is no doubt that the
sight of the mine swinging in the air would exert a decisive
moral effect upon those in the airship。
Attempts to render the mine harmless by discharging it
prematurely with the aid of rifle and machine…gun fire would； of
course； be made by the crew of the airship； but the trawling mine
would prove a very difficult target to strike。 If such a missile
were used against an airship of the proportions of a Zeppelin the
mine would inevitably be trawled across the vessel sooner or
later。 Once the airship had been fouled； the aviator would
merely have to drive ahead； dragging the wire and its charge
across the gas…bag until at last one of the contact levers of the
mine was moved by being dragged against some part of the vessel；
when the mine would be exploded。 In such operations the aviator
would run a certain risk； as he would be more or less above the
airship； and to a certain degree within the zone of the ultimate
explosion。 But there is no doubt that he would succeed in his
〃fishing〃 exploit within a very short time。
This ingenious scheme has already been tested upon a small scale
and has been found effective； the trawling bomb being drawn
across its target and fired by contact within a few minutes。 The
experiment seems to prove that it would be simpler and more
effectual to attack a hostile aircraft such as a Zeppelin in this
manner than to drop free bombs at random。 Moreover； we cannot
doubt that the sight of a mine containing even ten or twelve
pounds of high explosive dangling at the end of a wire would
precipitate a retreat on the part of an airship more speedily
than any other combative expedient。
The advocate of this mine…trawling method； who is a well…known
aviator； anticipates no difficulty in manoeuvring a mine weighing
30 pounds at the end of 300 feet of fine wire。 Success depends
in a great measure on the skill of the aviator in maintaining a
constant tension upon the line until it falls across its
objective。
The process calls for a certain manifestation of skill in
manoeuvring the aeroplane in relation to the airship； judgment of
distance； and ability to operate the aeroplane speedily。 The
rapid ascensional capability of the airship； as compared with
that of the aeroplane； is a disadvantage； but on the other hand；
the superior mobility and speed of the aeroplane would tell
decisively for success。
Among the many wonders which the Krupp organisation is stated to
have perfected； and which it is claimed will create considerable
surprise； is the aerial torpedo。 Many of the Krupp claims are
wildly chimerical； as events have already proved； but there is no
doubt that considerable effort has been expended upon this latest
missile； for which the firm is said to have paid the inventor
upwards of L25；000125；000。 Curiously enough the projectile
was perfected within gunshot of the British aerodrome of Hendon
and is stated to have been offered to the British Government at
the time； and to have met with a chilling reception。 One fact；
however； is well established。 The inventor went to Germany； and
submitted his idea to Krupp； by whom it was tested without delay。
Upon the completion of the purchase； the great armament
manufacturers did not fail to publish broadcast the fact that
they had acquired a mysterious new terror of the skies。 That was
some three years ago； and in the interval the cleverest brains of
the German firm have been steadily devoting their time and
energies to the improvement of the missile； the first appearance
of which was recorded； in a somewhat hazy manner； in the closing
days of December。
While the exact mechanism of this missile is a secret； the
governing principles of its design and operation are known to a
select few technicians in this country。 Strange to say； the
projectile was designed in the first instance in the interests of
peace and humanty； but while engaged upon his experiments the
inventor suddenly concluded that it would be a more profitable
asset if devoted to the grim game of war。 At the time the
military significance of the airship and the aeroplane were
becoming apparent； hence the sudden diversion of the idea into a
destructive channel。
This aerial torpedo is a small missile carrying a charge of high
explosive； such as trinitrotoluene； and depends for its
detonation upon impact or a time fuse。 It is launched into the
air from a cradle in the manner of the ordinary torpedo； but the
initial velocity is low。 The torpedo is fitted with its own
motive power； which comes automatically into action as the
missile climbs into the air。 This self…contained energy is so
devised that the maximum power is attained before the missile has
lost the velocity imparted in the first instance； the result
being that it is able to continue its flight in a horizontal
direction from the moment it attains the highest point in its
trajectory； which is naturally varied according to requirements。
But there is no secret about the means of propulsion。 The body
is charged with a slow…burning combustible； in the manner of the
ordinary rocket； whereby it is given a rapid rotary motion。
Furthermore it is stated to be fitted with a small gyroscope in
the manner of the torpedo used in the seas； for the purpose of
maintaining direction during flight； but upon this point there is
considerable divergence of opinion among technicians； the general
idea being that the torpedo depends upon an application of the
principle of the ordinary rocket rather than upon a small engine
such as is fitted to the ordinary torpedo。 The employment of a
slow combustible ensures the maintenance of the missile in the
air for a period exceeding that of the ordinary shell。 It is
claimed by the Germans that this projectile will keep aloft for
half…an…hour or more； but this is a phantasy。 Its maintenance of
flight is merely a matter of minutes。
The belated appearance of this much…lauded projectile and its
restricted use suggest that it is unreliable； and perhaps no more
effective than the aerial torpedo which appeared in the United
States during the Spanish…American War； and proved a complete
failure。 An effective and reliable means of combating or
frustrating a dirigible attack； other than by gun…fire or resort
to the drastic remedy of ramming the enemy； has yet to be
devised。
CHAPTER XVII
WIRELESS IN AVIATION
In a previous chapter the various methods of signalling between
the ground and the airman aloft have been described。 Seeing that
wireless telegraphy has made such enormous strides and has
advanced to such a degree of perfect