This is not so with a dirigible balloon. It is held in the air
by means of the lifting gas, and once so in the air can be sent
in any direction by means of propellers and rudders.
Tom's aerial warship contained many new features. While it was
as large as some of the war-type Zeppelins, it differed from them
materially. But the details would be of more interest to a
scientific builder of such things than to the ordinary reader, so
I will not weary you with them.
Sufficient to say that Tom's craft consisted first of a great
semi-rigid bag, or envelope, made of specially prepared oiled
silk and aluminum, to hold the gas, which was manufactured on
board. There were a number of gas-tight compartments, so that if
one, or even if a number of them burst, or were shot by an enemy,
the craft would still remain afloat.
Below the big gas bag was the ship proper, a light but strong
and rigid framework about which were built enclosed cabins. These
cabins, or compartments, housed the driving machinery, the
gas-generating plant, living, sleeping and dining quarters, and a
pilot-house, whence the ship could be controlled.
But this was not all.
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