eded 300 pounds. There is one cogent reason
for such a belief. A bomb weighing one ton is equivalent to a similar
weight of ballast. If this were discarded suddenly the equilibrium of
the dirigible would be seriously disturbed--it would exert a tendency
to fly upwards at a rapid speed. It is doubtful whether the planes
controlling movement in the vertical plane would ever be able to
counteract this enormous vertical thrust. Something would have to submit
to the strain. Even if the dirigible displaced say 20 tons, and a bomb
weighing one ton were discharged, the weight of the balloon would be
decreased suddenly by approximately five per cent, so that it would
shoot upwards at an alarming speed, and some seconds would elapse before
control was regained.

The method of launching bombs from airships varies considerably. Some
are released from a cradle, being tilted into position ready for firing,
while others are discharged from a tube somewhat reminiscent of that
used for firing torpedoes, with the exception that little or no
initial impetus is imparted to the missile; the velocity it attains is
essentially gravitational.

The French favour the tube-launching method since thereby it is stated
to be possible to take more accurate aim. The objective is sighted and
the bomb launched at the critical moment. In some instances the French
employ an automatic detonator which corresponds in a certain measure to
the time-fuse of a shrapnel shell fired from a gun.

The bomb-thrower reads the altitude of his airship as indicated by his
barometer or other recording instrument, and by means of a table at his
command ascertains in a moment the time which will elapse before the
bomb strikes the ground. The automatic detonator is set in motion and
the bomb released to explode approximately at the height to which it
is set. When it bursts the full force of the explosion is distributed
downwards and laterally. Owing to the difficulty of ensuring the
explosion of the bomb at the exact height desired, it is also made to
explode upon impact so as to make doubly sure of its efficacy.

Firing timed bombs from aloft, however, is not free from excitement and
danger, as the experience of a French airman demonstrates. His dirigible
had been commanded to make a night-raid upon a railway station which was
a strategical junction for the movement of the enemy's troops. Although
the hostile searchlights were active, the airship contrived to slip
betwe