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Dawn of Aerial Navigation 245 Another feature was the means incorporated to tilt the vessel for ascent and descent. The two cars were connected by a long corridor, which space also served to receive a cable along which was moved a sliding weight. When this weight was brought to- wards the stern of the airship, naturally that end descended to a level below the prow, thereby facilitating the airship climbing to a higher altitude. On the other hand, when it was moved towards the prow, it caused the nose of the airship to sink below the stern, thereby enabling the craft to dive. The first vessel was not a success, but another was taken in hand, and in this the defects of the original craft were eliminated. This second vessel succeeded, when in mid-air, in travelling at 13 feet per second. This vessel may be said to represent the real starting-point in the evolution of the Zeppelin airship. It is impossible to trace the story of this dirigible through its many failures, disasters, and disappointments, but it may be mentioned that each new vessel represented a distinct advance upon its predecessor. Each successive airship was equipped with more powerful motors, enabling higher speeds to be attained, while similarly the dimensions of each successive airship were increased, giving greater lifting power and increased radius of action—that is, mileage—which it was able to cover upon a single charge of fuel. This evolution has been prosecuted so energetically that to-day we have monster craft nearly twice the height of St. Paul’s Cathedral in length, fitted with motors developing 1,000 horse- power, capable of travelling at 58 miles an hour, and able to cover 2,000 miles at reduced speed upon a