compared with those fitted in the
B.E. 2C.
For over two years these three types of S.S. ships performed a
great part of our airship patrol and gave most excellent results.
Owing to the constant patrol which was maintained whenever
weather conditions were suitable, the hostile submarine hardly
dared to show her periscope in the waters which were under
observation. In addition to this, practically the whole of the
airship personnel now filling the higher positions, such as
Captains of Rigids and North Seas, graduated as pilots in this
type of airship. From these they passed to the Coastal and
onwards to the larger vessels.
As far as is known the height record for a British airship is
still held by an S.S.B.E. 2C, one of these ships reaching the
altitude of 10,300 feet in the summer of 1916.
The Maurice Farman previously mentioned as being fitted with the
Hawk engine, carried out a patrol one day of 18 hours 20 minutes.
In the summer of 1916 one of the Armstrong ships was rigged to an
envelope doped black and sent over to France. While there she
carried out certain operations at night which were attended with
success, proving that under certain circumstances the airship can
be of value in operating with the military forces over land.
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