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The Barclay

Page history last edited by Michael 6 years, 1 month ago

back to the Castle Falkenstein index, or to The Matter of the Cheese Meteor

Captain Jonathan Wolff's famous steam-powered aerial vehicle has gathered much attention, as it is by far the largest and most ambitious non-magical flying craft of British origin. It recently flew across the Atlantic Ocean to America, and back.

It is named for Nemiah Barclay, the primary financial supporter for the project; the vessel is actually owned by the Great Atlantic Flying Ship Company. Captain Wolff is the founder and president of the company, but Mr. Barclay owns a slight majority of the stock.

Powered by steam, a large number of helical screws spin rapidly, both to support the massive weight of the vessel, to propel it through the sky, and to direct its movements from side to side. Several steam engines snort and chuff rapidly, belt drives and gear trains whir and buzz while transferring power to the air-screws, and the air-screws themselves make a cacaphonous, unsynchronized drone. Banks of levers and valve-handles control the machine, with dials and steam-filled glass tubes displaying information about the engines' condition and settings. Calcium lamps (aka lime-lights) illuminate the larger compartments.

A riveted iron gondola-carriage holds several dozen passengers and six crew (2 stokers, 2 mechanics, a captain and a mate), plus various cooks, stewards, musicians, etc as needed. The passenger accommodations include a drawing room, dining room, and "ball room" (more like a canvas-covered sun deck), plus two-bunk "stateroom" (fairly small, actually).

It can operate for six hours without needing water for the boiler, and a day before needing more coal. Top speed is 50 miles per hour.

The vessel takes 50 weeks to build, and costs £2500.

As a note: Captain Wolf's father was a sea-captain, acquainted with the German explorer, Paul Erme. The family is in possession of an interesting manuscript, bearing on the Inner Kingdom (also known as Thibet). It seems possible that the air-ship has been constructed to make an expedition to that strange and distant land possible.