Airships past and present, together with chapters on the use of balloons in connection with meteorology, photography and the carrier pigeon . must be paid for in gas and ballast,and therefore tend indirectly to lessen the distance which it ispossible to cover. The fastest journey in a balloon was made from Paris at thetime of the siege. The distance from Paris to the Zuyder Zee,amounting to 285 miles, was covered in three hours, at an averagespeed of ninety-five miles an hour. The greatest speed over ashort distance was probably attained by Captain von Sigsfeld BALLOONING AS A SPORT. 203 and D
Airships past and present, together with chapters on the use of balloons in connection with meteorology, photography and the carrier pigeon . must be paid for in gas and ballast,and therefore tend indirectly to lessen the distance which it ispossible to cover. The fastest journey in a balloon was made from Paris at thetime of the siege. The distance from Paris to the Zuyder Zee,amounting to 285 miles, was covered in three hours, at an averagespeed of ninety-five miles an hour. The greatest speed over ashort distance was probably attained by Captain von Sigsfeld BALLOONING AS A SPORT. 203 and Dr. Linke on their fatal journey from Berlin to Antwerp,when a velocity of 125 miles an hour was recorded. In competitions over great distances or for great lengths oftime, it is very important not to get worn out. At night time itis a good plan to take it in turns, and for one to sleep in theintervals. Warm clothing is an absolute necessity, as the coldmay be sufficient to prevent a man from sleeping. Should theprovisions run short, that may be an even more serious calamity,and it is generally found that something hot to eat and drink. Fig. 127.—The Hofburg, by Captain Hinterstoisser would add to the pleasures of existence. But fires are animpossibility, and enterprising persons have therefore thought-fully provided the aeronaut with a variety of tinned provisionswhich can be cooked by adding water to the quicklime with whichthe tins are surrounded. Injury to health may result from an ascent to a great height,and therefore competitions of this kind are not organised. Butraces are started with a view to reaching a definite place, thewinner being the man who comes nearest to the mark. Naturallyin this case everything depends on the direction of the wind,which must be ascertained before the start by means of a pilotballoon. Motor cars can be set to chase and capture a balloon, 204 AIRSHIPS PAST AND PRESENT. juhI many other forms of competition maybe organised,
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