Viewing page 263 of 372

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

1907. April 6. Saturday at Baddeck                  97   
Times Star Cincinnati O. 4 Feb 1907 
 
HOW CINCINNATI'S FIRST BALLOON WILL BE BUILT
Work on the gas-bag of the big balloon which Leslie Haddock and W. H. Dilger will build for President Norman Kenan of the Union Gas and Electric company and Col. Max Fleischmann will begin at once. Speaking of the work which they are about to undertake, Mr.Dilger said:
"Upon the material, the treatment it receives to make it gastight and the care taken in the construction of the ballon, depends the success or failure of its flight. This is the case whether it be used for a dirigible, with hydrogen for a sustaining medium, or only an old-style spherical aerostat, a plaything of the winds, and using coal or water-gas to lift it into the air. The "texture" or material used in making a balloon depends on the ideas of the maker. Gas balloons are constructed of the finest Chinese silk, but in some instances, mostly in Europe, two or three thicknesses of cotton and rubber are used, cemented together into one solid sheet. The material used, as a rule, is sewed together so as to form segments. This is done to keep the material from tearing farther than the nearest seam, thus insuring only a limited rent or tear, should the inside pressure burst the bag or should it tear from any other cause. The navigator will have a chance for his life if the balloon be made in segments for the drop would be retarded, as the gas can not escape fast enough to make the descent as swift as it would be were the balloon to rip from end to end. The seams are reinforced inside by narrow strips of the same materials used in construction, and a specially-prepared varnish applied in thin coats, each coat allowed to dry thoroughly before the next is applied. The varnish is put on thin, so the pores of one coat will not be opposite those of the next. Every precaution must be taken to confine the gas, which will escape in spite of every effort made to confine it. The loss averages from one to five per cent in twenty-four hours, according to care taken in selecting quality of material, in the sewing and, most important of all, in making and applying the varnish. The net used to fasten the car to the balloon is usually made of cotton twine, and resembles the ordinary fishnet. On a spherical bag it has a diamond mesh, on a dirigible it is square. In regard to sensation, the man in the basket does not feel any sense of motion; to him he is standing still and the earth is slowly slipping from him. He would not know that he was moving if he did not look at the ground below and use a landmark to go by. He seems to be in a world by himself, a feeling of loneliness comes over him, and the intense silence is appalling. The earth to him appears like a mammoth bowl, concave side turned up. If you want sensation and plenty of it, try ballooning."

Herald New York 
4 Feb 1907.

Another Steerable Balloon Achievement
 The Herald's special cables from Paris this morning contain a graphic account of Comte Henry de La Vaulx's remarkable success yesterday with his steerable balloon.
 He was in the air for twenty-five minutes after his ascent from Sartrouville, and covered a distance of more than seven miles. How thoroughly under control was the majestic airship during the journey from and the return to the plane of Montesson is fully shown in the interesting cabled story. 


Post. Washington DC. 
4 Feb 1907.

THOMAS ABANDONED TRIP.
Strong Wind Nearly Wrecked His Balloon at Norfolk.
Special to The Washington Post.
 Norfolk, Va., Feb. 4. -A fierce storm, accompanied by rain and sleet, thwarted the plans for a balloon ascension by Dr. Julian P. Thomas and other daring New York aeronauts, members of the Aero Club of America, who were here this afternoon, It was not the intention of the sky navigators to abandon the flight on the account of the weather, but so strong did the wind blow that the balloon could not be held to the ground before it was filled with gas, even though there were sand bags to the weight of 4,000 pounds hooked on to the cordage. The wind came dangerously near carrying the big balloon against a brick wall. The sand bags were dragged for a distance of ten feet. On becoming unmanageable, the 50,000 feet of gas in the balloon was released. Had that not been done the balloon would have been torn to pieces.
 It was the first time that Dr. Thomas has ever released gas from his balloon. Dr. Thomas and the others were greatly 
[[cut off]] The doctor was inclined to


Herald. New York.
4 Feb 1907

BALLOON OBEYS ITS PILOT'S HAND
Comte Henry de la Vaulx Achieves Great Success with Latest Airship.
WHEELS ROUND EASILY
Goes Against Wind at Speed of 22 Miles an Hour and Return with Increased Velocity.
DESCRIBES MAJESTIC CIRCLE
Inventor calls Flight the Best He Has Yet Made and Promises More with New Propeller. 
[SPECIAL CABLE TO THE HERALD.]
NO.49 AVENUE DE L'OPERA.}
PARIS, SUNDAY.]
 Comte Henry de La Vault achieved another remarkable success with his steerable balloon this afternoon, the most remarkable, in fact since the construction of the airship. In the presence of a great crowd the ascent was made from Sartrouville, above the Plain of Montesson.
 Within three minutes of the ascent the crowd heard the whirl of the motor and then the hum of the propeller. The balloon had drifted along with the wind some few hundred yards, but immediately afterward,