BARROW’S SECRET

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2622, 2 October 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

BARROW’S SECRET

PROGRESS OF GREAT LINER OF TLIE CLOUDS. With regard to the great dirigible now being built by Messrs. Vickers, referred to by Mr. Haldane, the utmost secrecy lias been preserved, and all detailed information has been rigidly withheld by the firm and its officials. In his statement, Mr. Haldane said that it xvili he spring of next year before tlie airship is ready, but lor all that it is possible that it will hax’e made its appearance before then. The different parts of the dirigible are understood to be in various stages of completion in the engineering xvorks, and many trials hax r e already been made xvitli models. The airship is to be of rigid construction, and similar to the Zeppelin. No doubt the framework will be of aluminium or aluminium alloy. It is possible that it may possess a greater power than the Zeppelin, for Messrs. Vickers are in the forefront in motor-engine construction, and it is said that at the present time they are on the eve of great developments in regard to this class of engine. As to the size there is no doubt that xvlien completed this airship xvili be close on 500 feet in length. The construction of the shed, in xvhich tlie different parts of the great machine xvili be fitted together, lias been left to the firm of Francis Morton and Co., of Liverpool. It is to be a substantial building, 600 feet long, 100 feet broad, and between 80 feet and 100 feet high. It xvili be built on piles xvhich are tvt present being driven in the Ca\ r endish Dock. Some difficulty is being experienced xvitli the piling oxving to the fact that solid foundations are hard to find. This may mean a short delay ip the completing of the shed, hut xvili not affect the actual completion of tlie airship. The Cavendish Dock has an expanse of enclosed xvater of varying depth, and is 146 acres in extent. The shed xvili be built alongside one of the embaiikment and a roadway will separate it from the extensive buildings xvhich xvere lately used ds a ropeworks, and xvhich Messrs. Vickers have secured. The front of the shed xvili face the Walney. Channel and Morecambe Bay. Nothing but a loxv embankment separates the dock from the channel, hence there xvili be little or no difficulty in manoeuvring. Tins airship construction probably means a new industry for Barroxv, and if tlie submarine boat may be taken as an example, it is interesting to note that sin«e Messrs. Vickers took up Holland’s patent 60 submarines have been built or are completing on this design.