| The hydroplane |
Présent / The hydrospace 4.35 & 5.22
| The hydroplane is a boat the main features of which are its special hull and its propeller drive system. It must not be confused with the hovercraft which is a machine flying low over the ground or water. |  |
In France, Count Lambert de Versailles was the first to introduce a plan for a hydroplane. He did so in 1897.
In 1907, the Brazilian airman Alberto Santos Dumont (1873-1932) reached 100 km/h during a trial on the Seine River, by the Neuilly quay (on the Western Parisian boundary). His hydroplane was made up with three aluminum and wood cigar shaped frames covered in silk.
In 1912, A. Charles Roux invented the "Colonial". That propeller driven boat could sail with a draught of only a few centimetres. In comparison with the previous hydroplanes it was the first one offering a worthwhile size : it could weigh as much as 2600 kg. when fully loaded and travel at 25 km/h. It was tested in Nogent sur Marne (in the East of Paris), with a view to being used in the French colonies of that time.
à être passés nous voir depuis le 01/01/98 :-)
