Drink of Water

Secretary of the Navy Wilbur paid a visit to the Shenandoah, now in perfect shape and flying better than ever. He was delighted with his visit. They gave him a good reception at the sta-tion--and a drink of water. When an airship has flown a great distance, she has naturally consumed an enormous weight of fuel. The ship being lighter, it was formerly necessary to release the valuable helium gas and diminish the lift of the gas bags to re-store equilibrium. Besi'des being a source of expense, this meant that there was less reserve of gas left for emergencies. A new process is now available on board the Shenandoah whereby the weight of the fuel burnt by the engines is automatically compensated for. When gasoline burns, the hydrogen it contains combines with the oxygen of the air to form water, or rather steam. In the new process the exhaust gases are cooled by huge water radiators, the steam condenses and is carefully collected as water ballast. The Secretary tasted some of this and pronounced it "excellent."

During the visit Admiral Moffet promised a mooring-mast for New York City, probably at Manhattan Transfer, spoke of the possible establishment of a two-day airship mail service to London.