The greatest energy was displayed in preparing the new stations,
which were selected as bases for the airships building for this
anti-submarine patrol. Small sheds, composed of wood, were
erected with almost incredible rapidity, additional personnel was
recruited, stores were collected, huts built for their
accommodation and that of the men, and by the end of the summer
the organization was so complete that operations were enabled to
commence.

The S.S., or submarine scout, airship proved itself a great
success. Beginning originally with a small programme the type
passed through various developments until, at the conclusion of
the war, no fewer than 150 ships of various kinds had been
constructed. The alterations which took place and the
improvements effected thereby will be considered at some length
in the following pages.


S.S.B.E. 2C

The envelope of the experimental ship S.S. 1 was only of 20,500
cubic feet capacity; for the active-service ships, envelopes of
similar shape of 60,000 cubic feet capacity were built. The
shape was streamline, that is to say, somewhat blunt at the nose
and tapering towards the tail, the total length being 143 feet 6
inches, with a maximum diameter of 27 feet 9 inches.

The gross lift of these ships with 98% pure gas at a temperature
of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and barometer 30 inches, is 4,180 lb.
The net lift available for crew, fuel, ballast, armament, etc.,