SEADROMES FOR ATLANTIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20587, 28 November 1936, Page 17 (Supplement)

SEADROMES FOR ATLANTIC

FACILITATING OCEAN CROSSING QUEENSLANDER’S UNIQUE DESIGNS United Press Association—By RjectrU Telegraph—Copyright. (Receiced November 27, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, November 27 “The Dally Telegraph” reports that a Queenslander, Mr W. Heiser, an engineer who has worked for years in California constructing dirigibles, has designed a seadrome which will enable aeroplanes to cross the Atlantic in three hops. Leading naval architects and engineers approved the scheme, which was forwarded to official circles. The seadrome will not be anchored, as it is believed cables would not stand the strain but will be stabilised by stopper buoys, floating 150 ft under the surface, containing 70,000,000 gallons of fuel oil. The buoys would support 72 steel pillars carrying a u-shaped deck, one leg being available for land ’planes, and the other submerged 10ft. for seaplanes. Each of the legs will have an area of 2000 by 250 sq. ft. The remainder of the deck will be occupied by a radio tower, a light beacon, a hotel and hangars, over which will be a catapult deck 117 ft. from the surface and more than 60ft. above the waves of the fiercest storm. From this catapult ’planes carrying 50 passengers could be launched. The interior of the U will be available for a dock for ships and submarines or a naval base.

The seadrome is designed to float with its head towards the wind, in which it is assisted by 12 propellers and two rudders operated by electricity generated by wind power. Mr Heiser advocated two seadromes costing £7,000,000, between Ireland and Canada.