for manoeuvering the ship on the ground are provided under the
bow and under the stem. A group of four Eta patches are placed
close together, which form the point of attachment for two guys
in each case. The forward of these groups of Eta patches forms
the anchoring point. The bridle, consisting of 25 cwt. steel
cable, is attached here and connected to the forepart of the
skids of the car. The junction of this bridle with the two
cables from the skids forms the mooring point and there the main
trail rope is attached. This is 120 feet long and composed of
2-inch manilla. This is attached, properly coiled, to the side
of the car and is dropped by a release gear. It is so designed
that when the airship is held in a wind by the trail rope the
strain is evenly divided between the envelope and the car. The
grapnel carried is fitted to a short length of rope. The other
end of the rope has an eye, and is fitted to slide down the main
trail rope and catch on a knot at the end.

For steering and stabilizing purposes the S.S. airship was
originally designed with four fins and rudders, which were to be
set exactly radial to the envelope. In some cases the two lower
fins and rudders were abandoned, and a single vertical fin and
rudder fitted centrally under the envelope were substituted. The
three planes are identical in size and measure 16 feet by 8 feet
6 inches, having a gross stabilizing area of 402 1/2 square feet.

They are composed of spruce and aluminium and steel tubing braced
with wire and covered by linen doped and varnished when in
position.

The original rudders measured 3 feet by 8 feet 6 inches. In the