On April 22, 1910, a fleet of German dirigibles, comprising the “Zeppelin II,” the “Gross II,” and the “Parseval I,” sailed from Cologne to Hamburg, where they were reviewed by Emperor William. A strong wind having arisen, the “Gross II,” which is of the semi-rigid type, was deflated, and shipped back to Cologne by rail. The non-rigid “Parseval” made the return flight in safety. The rigid “Zeppelin II” started on the return voyage, but was compelled to descend at Limburg, where it was moored. The wind increasing, it was forced away, and finally was driven to the ground at Weilburg and demolished. In May, 1910, the “Parseval V,” the smallest dirigible so far constructed, being but 90 feet in length, was put upon its trial trip. It made a circular voyage of 80 miles in 4 hours. For several months a great Zeppelin passenger dirigible had been building by a stock company financed by German capital, under the direction of the dauntless Count von Zeppelin. It was 490 feet long, with a capacity of 666,900 cubic feet. A passenger cabin was built with ¼-inch mahogany veneer upon a framework of aluminum, the inside being decorated with panels of rosewood inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The seats were wicker chairs, and the window openings had no glass. It was christened the “Deutschland.” After many days waiting for propitious weather the first “air-liner” set sail on June 22, 1910, from Friedrichshafen for Düsseldorf, carrying 20 passengers who had paid $50 each for their passage. In addition there were 13 other persons on board. The start was made at three o’clock in the morning, and the course laid was up the valley of the Rhine, as far as Cologne. Düsseldorf was reached at three o’clock in the afternoon, the airline distance of 300 miles having been covered in 9 hours of actual sailing. From Mannheim to Düsseldorf, favored by the wind, the great ship reached the speed of 50 miles per hour, for this part of the trip, outstripping the fastest express trains which consume 6 hours in the winding track up the valley. The next morning the “Deutschland” left Düsseldorf on an excursion trip, carrying several ladies among its passengers. The voyage was in every way a great success, and public enthusiasm was widespread.