the ship drifted at the mercy of the wind, but
sustained little damage on landing. After being deflated, the hull
began to break up under the pressure of the wind and was completely
destroyed by the vandalism of the spectators.

In 1898 Graf F. von Zeppelin, inspired by the example of Schwartz, and
assisted by the engineers Kober and Kubler, conceived the idea of
constructing a rigid airship of considerable dimensions. For this
purpose a floating shed was built on Lake Constance, near to
Friedrichshafen. The hull was built of aluminium lattice-work girders,
and had the form of a prism of twenty-four surfaces with arch-shaped
ends. In length it was 420 feet, with a diameter of 38 feet 6 inches,
and its capacity was 400,000 cubic feet. The longitudinal framework
was divided by a series of rings, called transverse frames, into
seventeen compartments containing fabric gasbags. The transverse
frames were fitted with steel wire bracings, both radial and chord, and
to strengthen the whole a triangular aluminium keel of lattice work was
used. A vertical and horizontal rudder were fitted to the forward
portion of the ship, and aft another vertical rudder. The whole
exterior of the ship was fitted with a fabric outer cover.

Two aluminium cars, each about 20 feet long, were rigidly attached to
the framework of the hull. Each car was furnished with a 16
horse-power Daimler engine, driving two four-bladed screw propellers of
aluminium sheeting. These propellers were situated on the side of the
hull at the centre of resistance. The transmission was supplied by
steel tubes with universal cross joints through the medium of bevel
gears. Reversible driving arrangements were installed in the cars in
order that the ship could be driven backwards and forwards. Electric
bells, telegraphs, and speaking tubes were also fitted, and it can be
seen that for general arrangements this airship was a long way ahead of
any built at that date.

The first flight was made on July 2nd, 1900. The ship attained a speed
of 17 per hour, and the numerous technical details stood the tests
well. The stability was considered sufficient, and the height of
flight could be altered by the horizontal rudder. The landing on the
water was accomplished without difficulty, and could be regarded as
free from danger. The faults requiring remedy were, firstly, the upper
cross stays, which buckled in flight owing to insufficient strength for
the length of