’The body of this novel vessel consists of two covered decks, or galleries, connected by a series of narrow bridges, thrown across the open space between them, on a level with their floor; thus forming the body of the vessel, which looks not unlike a couple of Noah’s Arks, placed parallel to each other, and connected by means of the aforesaid bridges.  Suspended across the upper part of this open space, is a row of sixteen movable wings, placed one behind the other, and attached, by means of pivots, to the upper edge of the inner walls of the galleries; these wings are of oiled sail-cloth, set into oblong iron frames, and are worked by machinery.  They may be opened or closed, inclined to or from each other, at any angle, upwards or downwards.  At each end of the vessel, near the stem and the stern, is a pair of screws, similar to the propellers of a steam-ship, and worked by a couple of small steam-engines of three horse-power each, one being placed just above and behind each pair of screws.  Lastly, attached to masts projecting horizontally from each end of the ship, are a couple of triangular or lateen sails; smaller sails are also attached to the under part of the balloons, which, enclosed in net-work of strong cord, are fastened to the roof of the galleries, directly over the wings, beneath which, again, are the bridges from which the crew are to work the ship.

’These skeleton galleries, which, with the exception of the floors, and the walls and roof of their central portion, are constructed of lattice-work, faced with thin bands of iron, in order to render the whole as light as possible, are 162 feet in length, 8 feet in height by 4 feet in width in their central portion, but taper off to 18 inches in height and width at their extremities.  This mode of building gives an oval form to the framework of the vessel.  The central portion of the galleries, which is at the same time the highest and the widest, embraces a length of 66 feet, and is appropriated to the passengers.  The boilers are placed here also, one in each gallery; the steam being conveyed to the engines by pipes.

’The total length of the ship, including that of the two projecting masts, is 198 feet; and its total weight, including that of the machinery, and a crew of eight men, is 14,000 pounds.  The balloons are 66 feet in diameter, and will contain 15,000 cubic yards of gas.  Their ascensional force is 20,000 pounds.  The wings are 6 feet in length by 15 in width.  The screws are made of pitched canvas, rimmed with iron; they are 6 feet in length.

’The eight central wings, disposed in the form of an upright roof—­parachute—­or of an inverted roof—­paramont—­are intended, by pressing on the air above in ascending, and on the air below in descending, to furnish the necessary point of resistance, or fulcrum, from which to steer.  The other eight wings, four at each end of the central group, are intended, by being opened or shut, to act as a counterpoise; thus producing