Peter Campbell Airship, America was built by Peter Campbell, a jeweler in Brooklyn, New York. The America was 18,000 cubic-foot hot air airship balloon. The airship America was ovoid-shaped, about 60 feet long and 42 feet wide. The balloon was made of Japanese silk. Nassau Gas Company of Wallabout Bay made an engine that powered an eight-foot diameter propeller under the airship to give it lift. The rudder, which gave the airship steering, was constructed of a light fabric stretched over a reed frame. Hinged wings on both sides gave it control. Peter Campbell had the airship do some short trials at Coney Island.[1][2] Peter Carmont Campbell held US patent, number US-1887-362605 for his airship, America.[3] Peter Campbell had his airship, America on display at Geary’s World Museum.[4]
| Campbell America | |
|---|---|
| |
| Peter Campbell Airship, America | |
| Role | Privite airship |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Peter Campbell, Brooklyn, New York |
| Designer | Peter Campbell |
| First flight | July 16, 1889 |
| Status | Lost |
| Number built | 1 |
On July 16, 1889 at 10 o’clock America took off on a demonstration inaugural flight from Brooklyn. Peter Campbell had with him in the car Professor E. D. Hogan (1852–1889), an aeronaut with experience in airship flying. Professor E. D. Hogan had made over 200 flights before flying the America. Hundreds of New Yorkers came to see the demonstration inaugural flight. When the command was given to release the holding ropes, the airship was discovered to be too light for the gas in the balloon, and the airship quickly ascended to 1,000 feet. Professor E. D. Hogan started the engine to control the flight, but the eight-foot-long propeller under the airship broke off and crashed to the ground. The mechanical failure and now loss of control caused the wind blow the airship out to sea. The airship went out over the North Atlantic Ocean, East of Atlantic City, New Jersey in a southeasterly direction. There were some reports from ships that had seen the airship from afar, but neither the airship nor Professor E. D. Hogan were found.[1][5]
On September 4, 1888 Professor Edward D Hogan made the very first parachute jump off a hot-air balloon descending Quebec, Canada from 7,000 feet. Professor Edward D Hogan was born in 1852 in Canada. His first balloon ride was in September 1870. He moved to Jackson, Michigan at age 16.[6] His brother John Hogan was killed in a balloon lift off on August 29, 1891 at the Detroit Fair. John was at the fairground performing a trapeze act under a balloon at 1,000 feet. He lost his grip and fell.[7]
See also
editRelated lists
References
edit- ^ a b "Professor Hogan And His Lost Airship - 1889 | New England Aviation History". newenglandaviationhistory.com. April 14, 2015.
- ^ "blimpinfo.com, Peter Campbell Airship, America, NEW YORK, JULY 27, 1889" (PDF).
- ^ "Patent US-1887-362605 - Inventing aviation". econterms.net.
- ^ Center, The History (January 31, 2014). "History Center Notes & Queries: Geary's World Museum".
- ^ "PLUNGED INTO THE OCEAN.; FATE OF THE AIRSHIP AND ITS NAVIGATOR. THE GREAT BALLOON IS SEEN OUT AT SEA BY A PILOT BOAT MINUS ITS CAR--NO TRACE OF HOGAN". July 19, 1889 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Article clipped from Evening star, 1888
- ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-an-awful-plunge-dea/156917532/