The suggestion is that these mines should be sent aloft at dusk
or upon the approach of thick and foggy weather, and should be
wound in at dawn or when the atmosphere cleared, inasmuch as in
fine weather the floating aerial menace would be readily detected
by the pilot of a dirigible, and would be carefully avoided. If
the network were sufficiently intricate it would not be easy for
an airship travelling at night or in foggy weather to steer clear
of danger, for the wires holding the balloons captive would be
difficult to distinguish.
The mines would depend upon detonators to complete their work,
and here again they would bear a close resemblance to sea-mines.
By looping the mines their deadliness could be increased. The
unsuspicious airship, advancing under cover of darkness or thick
weather, might foul one of the wires, and, driving forward, would
tend to pull one or more mines against itself. Under the force
of the impact, no matter how gentle, or slight, one or more of
the detonating levers would be moved, causing the mine to
explode, thus bursting the lifting bag of the vessel, and firing
its gaseous contents.
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