AN AERIAL SHIP.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9896, 24 January 1895, Page 2

AN AERIAL SHIP.

Many people believe thm locomotion in the future will be by means of alt ships. Id was one of the central ideas In Erewhoh, and many inventors have been at> work at the problem, hitherto with very indifferent success.. Bat we are now fold that a prastloal air ship has been constructed and a voyage of 40 miles actually accomplished. That the news cornea from the land ot wooden nutmegs and artificial egga somewhat disconntß its value, bnt we give It for what it is worth. It seems that only a model has hitherto taken Its flight through the air, but ill was of sufficlant alza to carry its inventor, and It is said thab he and a companion are now at work on a larger air ship for exhibition purposes, to obtain funds to bnild one larger still, for practical aerial navigation, carrying Beveral passengers. The inventor is a young man named Walter 0. Meroer, who has " patented a number of excellent and advanced electrical inventions, whloh have been sold for good sums," and the Cincinnati Tribune, whioh has had an "interview" with the inveDtor, says that "he has made a supoesßfol trip of nearly 40 milea in an air ship, the Albatross, constructed wholly by himaelt on eclentlfio principles evolved from his own mind. This wonderful voyage, the first of its kind, was made near Trenton, N.J., on the 27th of last August by the boy inventor, alone and almost unobserved. Yet the strange oraft was seen, and the Daily Tim ■American, published at Trenton, stated the day following that an 'illuminated balloon passed over the city, going in an easterly direction, late on Sunday night.' The success of the trial trip of the Albatroßs was guarded with the same secresy that was observed daring its construction, and the statement about the 'illuminated ballooon ' is the only account in print ap to-day." The following description of the air-ship Is given :— •' The Albatross la lift 61n long and 6fb wide when the two silk wing parachutes are open. The ship Is built of alumininm, and weighs 1881 b Soz. It has one rear propeller 4ft Bln long, and four raising propellers 2ft each on top, used to elevate the ship. Inside the arrangement was complete, i There was an alumininm eleotrical engine of his own make and model, of 3} horse-power ; the armature and four motors were cleverly arranged with an Idea of economising space. The light, which gave rise to the theory of the illuminated balloon, was caused by an arc light shining through the peep, hole in the bottom. Mercer stood on the bottom in the centre and worked every thing on a switch-board."