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！
big scale。 The colossal always makes a peculiar and irresistible
appeal to the Teutonic nature。 So he contemplated the perfection
of a big dirigible； eclipsing in every respect anything ever
attempted or likely to be attempted by rival countries。
Unfortunately； the realisation of the 〃colossal〃 entails an
equally colossal financial reserve； and the creator of this form
of airship for years suffered from financial cramp in its worst
manifestation。 Probably it was to the benefit of the world at
large that Fortune played him such sorry tricks。 It retarded the
growth of German ambitions in one direction very effectively。
As is well known Zeppelin evolved what may be termed an
individual line of thought in connection with his airship
activities。 He adopted what is known as the indeformable
airship： that is to say the rigid； as opposed to the semi…rigid
and flexible craft。 As a result of patient experiment and
continued researches he came to the conclusion that a huge outer
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
prev