h were subsequently
brought down, and also from other sources. Acting on this information,
various improvements were embodied in R 33 and R 34, which were in a
more advanced state; but in the case of the three other ships the size
was increased, and the ships, when completed, will bear resemblance to
a later type altogether.

As a comment on the slowness of construction before mentioned, the fact
that while we in this country were building two ships on two slips,
Germany had constructed no fewer than thirty on four slips, certainly
affords considerable food for reflection.

The two airships of this class having only just reached a state of
completion, a detailed description cannot be given without making
public much information which must necessarily remain secret for the
present. Various descriptions have, however, been given in the daily
and weekly Press, but it is not intended in the present edition of this
book to attempt to elaborate on anything which has not been already
revealed through these channels.

It is regrettable that so much that would be of the utmost interest has
to be omitted; but the particulars which follow will at any rate give
sonic idea of the magnitude of the ship and show that it marks a
decided departure from previous experiments and a great advance on any
airship before constructed in Great Britain.

It is also a matter for regret that these two ships were not completed
before the termination of hostilities, as their capabilities would
appear to be sufficient to warrant the expectations which have been
based on their practical utility as scouting agents for the Grand Fleet.

In all its main features the hull structure of R 33 and R 34 follows
the design of the wrecked German Zeppelin airship L 33. The hull
follows more nearly a true streamline shape than in the previous ships
constructed of duralumin, in which a great proportion of the total
length was parallel-sided. The Germans adopted this new shape from the
Schutte-Lanz design and have not departed from this practice. This
consists of a short parallel body with a long rounded bow and a long
tapering stem culminating in a point. The overall length of the ship
is 643 feet with a diameter of 79 feet and an extreme height of 92 feet.

The type of girders in this class has been much altered from those in
previous ships. The hull is fitted with an internal triangular keel
throughout practically the entire length. This forms the mai