CONQUEST OF TIME AND SPACE 



the Channel to England) are highly efficient. But 

 the passenger service of the German dirigibles gives 

 them particular interest. The equipment of the 

 passenger coach of the two "Deutsclands" and their 

 successor the "Schwaben," compares not unfavorably 

 with that of a railway coach. The cabin has an 

 aluminum frame lined with mahogany and rosewood 

 and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The cabin is about 

 35 feet long and 7^2 feet wide, and divided into five 

 apartments equipped with wicker chairs. The win- 

 dow openings are of course wide, so as to give an 

 almost unobstructed view in all directions. There is 

 room for 24 passengers and a crew of 8 men. The 

 destruction of the Deutschland on its second trip, 

 though unattended with loss of life, doubtless damp- 

 ened the ardor of a good many would-be passengers; 

 but the long series of safe passages achieved by the 

 Schwaben and the Parseval ships has served to re- 

 store confidence, and there is every reason to suppose 

 that the airships will grow in popularity. 



The ships have proved themselves able to travel 

 in all kinds of weather, and their speed compares 

 favorably with that of the fastest ocean steamers. 

 The Parseval ship "L. P. VI," for example, has a 

 record of a trip from Munich to Berlin, a distance of 

 346 miles, at an average speed of 26 miles an hour. 

 The Schwaben has three 145 horse-power motors, 

 capable of driving the ship at a speed of about 35 

 miles an hour. Its carrying power is 20 tons at sea 

 level. 



It is rumored that similar airships are to be built 

 for passenger service in America in the near future. 



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