The transatlantic service if successful could then be extended
until regular passenger routes are established encircling the
globe.
3. Quick commercial service for certain types of goods.--
Certain mails and parcels are largely enhanced in value by the
rapidity of transport, and here, as in the passenger service
outlined above, the airship offers undoubted facilities. As we
have said before, it is mainly over long distances that the
airship will score, and for long distances on the amount carried
the success of the enterprise will be secured. For this purpose
the rigid airship will be essential. There are certain instances
in which the non-rigid may possibly be profitably utilized, and
one such is suggested by a mail service between this country and
Scandinavia. A service is feasible between Newcastle and Norway
by airships of a capacity of the S.S. Twin type. These ships
would carry 700 lb. of mails each trip at about 4d. per ounce,
which would reduce the time of delivering letters from about two
and a half to three days to twenty-four hours.
A commercial airship company is regarded in this country as a new
and highly hazardous undertaking, and it seems to be somewhat
overlooked that it is not quite the novel idea so many people
imagine.
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