gasbags were strengthened, and a number of broken wires were
replaced.

On September 22nd the ship was again completed, and on the 24th
she was again to be taken out and tested at the mooring post.
Unfortunately, while being hauled across the dock, the framework
of the ship collapsed, and she was got back into the shed the
same day.

Examination showed that it was hopeless to attempt to reconstruct
her, and she was broken up at a later date. The failure of this
ship was a most regrettable incident, and increased the prejudice
against the rigid airship to such an extent that for some time
the Navy refused to entertain any idea of attempting a second
experiment.


RIGID AIRSHIP No. 9

Rigid Airship No. 1 having met with such a calamitous end, the
authorities became rather dubious as to the wisdom of continuing
such costly experiments. Most unfortunately, as the future
showed and as was the opinion of many at the time, rigid
construction in the following year 1912 was ordered to be
discontinued. This decision coincided with the disbanding of the
Naval Air Service, and for a time rigid airships in this country
were consigned to the limbo of forgetfulness. After the Naval
Air Service had been reconstituted, the success which attended
the Zeppelin airships in Germany could no longer be overlooked,
and it was decided to make another attempt to build a rigid