But there was another point which
had escaped general observation. Standardisation of parts and
the installation of the desired machinery had accomplished one
greatly desired end--the construction of new craft had been
accelerated. Before the war an interesting experiment was
carried out to determine how speedily a vessel could be built.
The result proved that a dirigible of the most powerful type
could be completed within eight weeks and forthwith the various
constructional establishments were brought into line so as to
maintain this rate of building.
The growth of the Zeppelin, although built upon disaster, has
been amazing. The craft of 1906 had a capacity of 430,000 cubic
feet and a speed of 36 miles per hour. In 1911 the creator of
this type launched a huge craft having a capacity of 627,000
cubic feet. In the meantime speed had likewise been augmented by
the use of more powerful motors until 52 miles an hour was
attained. But this by no means represented the limit. The
foregoing vessels had been designed for land service purely and
simply, but now the German authorities demanded similar craft for
naval use, possessed of high speed and greater radius of action.
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