l craft might participate in a subsequent naval
engagement, as, indeed, has been the case. Its participation, however,
would be governed entirely by climatic conditions. The fact that
the dirigible is a weak unit of attack in naval operations is fully
appreciated by all the belligerents.

The picture of a sky "black with Zeppelins" may appeal to the popular
imagination, and may induce the uninitiated to cherish the belief that
such an array would strike terror into the hearts of the foe, but the
naval authorities are well aware that no material advantage would accrue
from such a force. In the first place they would constitute an ideal
target for the enemy's vessels. They would be compelled to draw within
range in order to render their own attack effective, and promiscuous
shooting from below would probably achieve the desired end. One or
more of the hostile aircraft would be hit within a short while. Such
disasters would undoubtedly throw the aerial fleet into confusion,
and possibly might interfere with the tactical developments of its own
friends upon the water below.

The shells hurled from the Zeppelins would probably inflict but little
damage upon the warships beneath. Let it be conceded that they weigh
about 500 pounds, which is two-thirds of the weight of the projectile
hurled from the Krupp 128-centimetre howitzer. Such a missile would have
but little destructive effect if dropped from a height of 1,000 feet.
To achieve a result commensurate with that of the 28-centimetre howitzer
the airship would have to launch the missile from a height of about
7,000 feet. To take aim from such an altitude is impossible, especially
at a rapidly moving target such as a battle-cruiser.

The fact must not be forgotten that Count Zeppelin himself has expressed
the opinion, the result of careful and prolonged experiments, that his
craft is practically useless at a height exceeding 5,000 feet. Another
point must not be overlooked. In a spirited naval engagement the
combatants would speedily be obliterated from the view of those aloft by
the thick pall of smoke--the combination of gun-fire and emission from
the furnaces and a blind attack would be just as likely to damage friend
as foe.

Even if the aircraft ventured to descend as low as 5,000 feet it would
be faced with another adverse influence. The discharge of the heavy
battleship guns would bring about such an agitation of the air above as
to imperil the delicate equilibriu