Amazing Stories, Vol. 2, No. 1 — page 61: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

60 The screw consists of an axis of hollow brass tube, eighteen inches in length, through which, upon a semi-spiral inclined at fifteen degrees, pass a series of steel wire radii, two feet long, and thus project- ing a foot on either side. These radii are connected at the outer extremities by two bands of flattened wire—the whole in this manner forming the frame- work of the screw, which is completed by a covering of oiled silk cut into gores, and tightened so as to present a tolerably uniform surface. At each end of its axis this screw is supported by pillars of hollow brass tube descending from the hoop. In the lower ends of these tubes are holes in which the pivots of the axis revolve. From the end of the axis which is next the car, proceeds a shaft of steel, connecting the screw with the pinion of a piece of spring machinery fixed in the car. By the opera- tion of this spring, the screw is made to revolve with great rapidity, communicating a progressive motion on the whole. By means of the rudder, the machine was readily turned in any direction. The spring was of great power, compared with its dimen- sions, being capable of raising forty-five pounds upon a barrel of four inches diameter, after the first turn, and gradually increasing as it was wound up. It weighed, altogether, eight pounds six ounces. The rudder was a light frame of cane covered with silk, shaped somewhat like a battle door, and was about three feet long, and at the widest, one foot. Its weight was about two ounces. It could be turned flat, and directed upward or downward as well as to the right or left; and thus enabled the aéronaut to transfer the resistance of the air which in an inclined position it must generate in its pass- ‘age, to any side upon which he might desire to act; thus determining the balloon in the opposite direc- tion. This model. (which through want of time, we have necessarily described in an imperfect manner) was put in action at the Adelaide Gallery, where it accomplished a velocity of five miles per hour; although, strange to say, it excited very little inter- est in comparison with the previous complex ma- chine of Mr. Henson—so resolute is the world to despise anything which carries with it an air of simplicity. To accomplish the great desideratum of aérial navigation, it was very generally supposed that some exceedingly complicated application must be made of some unusually profound principle in dynamics. So well satisfied, however, was Mr. Mason of the ultimate success of his invention, that he deter- mined to construct immediately, if possible, a bal- loon of sufficient capacity to test the question by a voyage of some extent—the original design being to cross the British Channel as before in the “Nassau” balloon. To carry out his views, he solic- ited and obtained the patronage of Sir Everard Bringhurst and Mr. Osborne, two gentlemen well known for scientific acquirements, and especially for the interest they have exhibited in the progress of aérostation. The project, at the desire of Mr. Osborne, was kept a profound secret from the public —the only persons entrusted with the design being those actually engaged in the construction of the machine, which was built (under the superintend- AMAZING STORIES latter gentleman near Penstruthal in Wales. Mr. Henson, accompanied by his friend Mr. Ainsworth was admitted to a private view of the balloon, on Saturday last when the two gentlemen made final arrangements to be included in the adventure. We are not informed for what reason the two seamen were also included in the party—but, in the course of a day or two, we shall put our readers in pos- session of the minutest particulars respecting this extraordinary voyage. The balloon is composed of silk, varnished with the liquid gum caoutchoue. It is of vast dimensions, containing more than 40,000 feet of gas; but as coal gas was employed in place of the more expensive and inconvenient hydrogen, the supporting power of the machine, when fully inflated, and immediately after inflation, is not more than about 2,500 pounds. The coal gas is not only much less costly, but is easily procured and managed. For its introduction into common use for purpose of aérostation, we are indebted to Mr. Charles Green. Up to his discovery, the process of inflation was not only exceedingly expensive, but uncertain. Two, and even three days, have frequently been wasted in futile attempts to procure a sufficiency of hydrogen to fill a balloon, from which it had great tendency to escape owing to its extreme subtlety, and its affinity for the surrounding atmosphere. In a balloon sufficiently perfect to retain its contents of coal gas unaltered, in quality or amount, for six months, an equal quantity of hydrogen could not be maintained in equal purity for six weeks. The supporting power being estimated at 2,500 pounds, and the united weights of the party amount- ing only to about 1,200, there was left a surplus of 1,300, of which again 1,200 was exhausted by bal- last, arranged in bags of different sizes, with their respective weights marked upon them—by cordage, barometers, telescopes, barrels containing provis- ion for a fortnight, water-casks, cloaks, carpet-bags, and various other indispensable matters, including a coffee-warmer, contrived for warming coffee by ,»means of quick-lime, so as to dispense altogether with fire, if it should be judged prudent to do so. All these articles, with the exception of the ballast, and a few trifles, were suspended from the hoop overhead.’ The car is much smaller and lighter, in proportion, than the one appended to the model. It is formed of a light wicker, and is wonderfully strong, for so frail-looking a machine. Its rim is about four feet deep. The rudder is also very much larger, in proportion, than that of the model; and the screw is considerably smaller. The balloon is furnished, besides, with a grapnel, and a guide- rope; which latter is of the most indispensable im- portance. A few words, in explanation, will here be necessary for such of our readers as are not con- versant with the details of aérostation. As soon as the balloon quits the earth, it is sub- jected to the influence of many circumstances tend- ing to create a difference in its weight; augmenting or diminishing its ascending power. For example, there may be a deposition of dew upon the silk, to the extent, even, of several hundred pounds; ballast has then to be thrown out, or the machine may descend. This ballast being discarded, and a clear a ence of Mr. Mason, Mr. Holland, Sir Everard sunshine evaporating the dew, and at the same time _ 4 Bei, ies al and Mr. Mae) at the seat of the eae the gas in the co the scom sighs - © Mm m iebo ok ag kN tht ry 20 ees 5 ea —y