The shed is mounted
upon a centre pivot and wheels engaged with these inner and outer
tracks. In this manner the shed may be swung round to the most
favourable point of the compass according to the wind.
In the field, however, such practices are impossible, and the
issue in this connection has been overcome by recourse to what
may be termed portable harbours. They resemble the tents of
peripatetic circuses and travelling exhibitions. There is a
network of vertical steel members which may be set with facility
and speed and which are stayed by means of wire guys. At the top
of the outer vertical posts pulleys are provided whereby the
outer skin or canvas forming the walls may be hauled into
position, while at the apex of the roof further pulleys ensure
the proper placing of the roofing. The airship is able to enter
or leave from either end according to conditions. The material
is fireproofed as a precautionary measure, but at the same time
the modern aerial bomb is able to penetrate the roofing without
any difficulty and to explode against the airship anchored
within.
The one great objection to the Zeppelin harbour is the huge
target it offers to hostile attack, which, in the event of a
vessel being moored within, is inevitably serious.
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