Two more Astra-Torres were ordered from France, one known as No.
8, being a large ship of 4,00,000 cubic feet capacity. She was
fitted with two Chenu engines of 240 horse-power, driving
swivelling propellers. This ship was delivered towards the end
of the year 1914. The second Astra was of smaller capacity and
was delivered, but as will be seen later, was never rigged, the
envelope being used for the original coastal ship and the car
slung to the envelope of the ex-army airship Eta.
On January 1st, 1914, an important event took place: the Army
disbanded their airship service, and the military ships together
with certain officers and men were transferred to the Naval Air
Service.
Before proceeding further, it may be helpful to explain the
system by which the naval airships have been given numbers.
These craft are always known by the numbers which they bear, and
the public is completely mystified as to their significance
whenever they fly over London or any large town. It must be
admitted that the method is extremely confusing, but the table
which follows should help to elucidate the matter. The original
intention was to designate each airship owned by the Navy by a
successive number. The original airship, the rigid Mayfly, was
known as No.
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