The junction of this bridle with the two
cables from the skids forms the mooring point and there the main
trail rope is attached. This is 120 feet long and composed of
2-inch manilla. This is attached, properly coiled, to the side
of the car and is dropped by a release gear. It is so designed
that when the airship is held in a wind by the trail rope the
strain is evenly divided between the envelope and the car. The
grapnel carried is fitted to a short length of rope. The other
end of the rope has an eye, and is fitted to slide down the main
trail rope and catch on a knot at the end.
For steering and stabilizing purposes the S.S. airship was
originally designed with four fins and rudders, which were to be
set exactly radial to the envelope. In some cases the two lower
fins and rudders were abandoned, and a single vertical fin and
rudder fitted centrally under the envelope were substituted. The
three planes are identical in size and measure 16 feet by 8 feet
6 inches, having a gross stabilizing area of 402 1/2 square feet.
They are composed of spruce and aluminium and steel tubing braced
with wire and covered by linen doped and varnished when in
position.
The original rudders measured 3 feet by 8 feet 6 inches. In the
case, however, of the single plane being fitted, 4-feet rudders
are invariably employed.
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