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THE AERIAL SHIP! [[hand coloured image - Balloon, oblong shape with steering fins and large gondola. diagrammed; see below]] An Interesting Account of the above Stupendous Balloon CALLED "THE EAGLE," Which is shortly to ascend from KENSINGTON, with 17 PERSONS, and sail thro' the Air from LONDON to PARIS, and back again. [[double line]] IT may be in the recollection of our readers, that in August 1834, the public papers gave an account of the Aerial Ship intending to sail from Paris to Hyde-Park Corner; but unfortunately; just as the moment of its expected ascent, it suddenly turned topsy-turvy, and burst with a loud explosion! The Parisians being thus disappointed of beholding the long-promised spectacle, outrageously rushed upon the fallen balloon, and instantly tore it in pieces, and carried it off in portions, which were exhibited and sold in Paris, in the course of the afternoon. Count de Lenox ( the ingenious projector of the Aerial Ship) although thus defeated was not dismayed, and resolved to try his fortune on English ground. Accordingly in March last, he arrived in London, and engaged a spacious piece of ground in Victoria Place, Kensington, where he is now exhibiting his stupendous machine. As the Count de Lenox is a man of talent and enterprise, and profoundly skilled in the science of aerology, no doubt can be entertained of his accomplishing his herculean task. The Ballon is intended to leave London for Paris in August next, which it is expected to be accomplished in six hours. It is 160 feet long, 50 feet high, and 40 feet wide, and to be manned by a crew of 17 persons. The purpose for which it is constructed, is to establish a direct communication between the several Capitals of Europe. The ordinary balloon is, from its shape, wholly at the mercy of the winds, as a tub is of the waves; the Aerial Ship is capable of direction, although like its namesake of the deep, must depend for its velocity upon the wind. Its inventor, wisely turning to nature for a model, found one in the fish; and, in fact, the work should be called the Aerial Leviathan, or the great Air Serpent. It will be seen the body is oblong and at either [[end column 1 of 3]] [[start column 2 of 3] end it runs off to a point. This vast reservoir of gas is made of cotton fabric, thoroughly varnished so as to be air-tight. Suppose it to ascend into the air, being filled with gas, and specifically lighter than the atmosphere, it would naturally lie lengthwise in the direction of the wind, its greater lateral surface yielding until its end should lie before the wind's eye. As long as the wind remained in the same quarter, it would move on without turning, or winding round. If the wind should prove only slightly contrary, the inventors of this machine hope to keep their course by means of two fins or wings near each end of the machine, of broad surface and light construction, and also by means of a fan-tail or rudder, intending to act after the manner of fish. This tail is fastened not to the balloon itself, but to the car in which the voyagers take their places, and which being made of net-work and as little solid material as possible, is suspended beneath. It is long and narrow, and in the mid-way is the cabin for holding the machinery for moving the wings or fins. But should the wind prove contrary, and there can be no doubt now that the atmospheric currents are frequent and fitful, then nothing is left the voyagers but to descend towards the earth. It may be remarked, that by a partial descent an unfavorable may be changed for a favorable current. One of the most satisfactory of the whole machine, is that which renders ascent or descent perfectly easy. Here again the economy of the fish's construction is had recourse to. Within the balloon is a smaller balloon, to correspond with the air-bladder of fishes. This can be filled or exhausted at pleasure by very simple means. If it be filled with atmospheric air the gas in the cylindar may be compressed to such a degree, that what with the ballast in the car, the whole machine becomes specifically heavier than [[end column 2 of 3]] [[start column 3 of 3]] the air around it, and it descends accordingly. Should they wish to ascend, the small balloon is exhausted - the gas expands - the cylinder is of less specific gravity that the air, and rises. The result of the whole experiment seems to us to amount to this. The Aerial Ship will, with a fair wind, go rapidly any distance its crew desire - but it is liable to frequent delays. In either case it is safe. It cannot be turned to any very useful purpose, inasmuch as vast as is its bulk, it can but accommodate some twenty persons - one half crew and one half passengers. The passengers can never pay for the expenses of the immense quantity of gas which is required to fill the cylinder. Thus, uncertainty - great, but not so great as that in a common balloon - and expense must, upon a general calculation, countervail the advantages of its occasional velocity. Exhibition before, and at starting, may contribute to its outlay, but that only while it is a novelty. Count de Lenox calculates on being ready for the voyage the latter end of this month, or beginning of next. They are but making an experiment, in which they deserve encouragement. Some three years ago, they made the first trial in a smaller machine, and sailed from Paris, 127 miles across France. It is intended to make similar trips to Brussels. Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Madrid, &c. till the practicability of establishing an aerial communication between London and other capitals of Europe is fully and incontrovertibly demonstrated. In 1796 Mons. Campenus proposed the construction of a similar balloon, for Buonaparte, in which he intended to hover over the English fleets, and throwing downwards firebrands made of a substance which would kindle only by coming in contact with the ships, and so destroy them. [[end column 3 of 3]] Explanation of the References in the Engraving 1. The body of the balloon, or cylindar, containing a smaller air-balloon, and the gas. 2. The fan-tail, or rudder, to steer with, made of cane, and covered with lawn. 3,3,3. Wings, made of lawn, and netted over: they, as also the rudder, are worked by machinery enclosed in the cabin. 4. The cabin, which contains the machinery. 5. The sides of the car, secured with lattice-work for the protection of the voyagers, while perambulating or making of observations. [[Smeston?]], Printer, 74, Tooley Street. [[339 - handwritten in pencil at bottom of page]]
