Albion Tragedy

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The Albion Tragedy

Summary

The Albion was a grand and highly advanced dirigible built by the British government using information computed by the great engines owned by various colleges and administrative bodies.

The launch was the grandest affair London had seen in a while, with thousands of people crowded into Hyde Park to watch the launching ceremony. It was planned to go to France and then to return the following morning, to be received again on the lawn of the palace.

What happened, however, was ever after referred to as the Albion Tragedy.

The Albion Tragedy

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Relevant News Articles

LAUNCH OF AIRSHIP ANNOUNCED!

from the London Times

A spokesman for Her Majesty issued a statement today that the latest technological achievement of our glorious Empire, the steam airship Albion, will be launched next week. The great vessel will depart from Carmichael Field at the culmination of a grand christening celebration, after which it will take a select complement of dignitaries and other passengers on a circular voyage over London itself, then cross the Channel to Carentan, France, returning the next morning to land again in London. . Albion was constructed by Garland and Fox of London, under the auspices of their genius engineer Harley Pittfield, utilizing a brand-new scientific calculating engine based on Babbage's principles to assist with the design. A sister airship, Britannia, is already nearing completion, and is expected to be launched this autumn.

PASSENGERS FOR THE ALBION'S MAIDEN VOYAGE ANNOUNCED

from the London Times

The London Times today has obtained an exclusive list of the august personages who shall be attending the launch of the Albion later this week. Each of the attendees selected was recommended to Her Majesty by a special panel of advisors, with the final selection being made by the Queen herself. The passenger list for the Albion's maiden voyage reflects Her Majesty's interest in technology and progress, to honor the memory of her late husband, the Prince Consort Albert.

As the great airship was comissioned as a testament to the grand achievements of British science, all of those scheduled as passengers on the Albion are loyal subjects of the Queen, though there will be many foreign dignitaries attending the launching ceremony before the flight.

The passengers, as announced, will be as follows:

In addition to genius engineer Harley Pittfield, who designed the airship, there will be: His Holiness John Sharpton, the Bishop of Wrackham. William R. Leiceister, who owns numerous factories, and his wife Margarethe. Sir William Pratt, the publishing editor of the Times. Baronet Edward Peter Gramercy, cousin to the Marquess of Sommerfield. Kingdom Wainscourting, the Dean of Antiquities at Cambridge and his Assistant, the Lady Z. Beaufort. The Duke and Duchess of Wellington. Sir Nicholas Fulton, the British Ambassador to France. Richard Tarrant, the second Vicount of Gwynedd, an executor of the East India Trading Company. The Earl of Cunningham and his son, the Viscount of Purcell.

GLORIOUS LAUNCH OF THE HMS ALBION

From Ladies' Day

As the capital waits with bated breath for the launch of the triumph of the age, the dirigible HMS Albion, excitement must be running high in certain privileged households. To the honour of marriage to some of the preëminent gentlemen of the realm is added the treat of being aboard for the first ascent of the mighty airship. The Duchess of Wellington and Mrs William R. Leicester are no doubt preparing ensembles for the occasion that will be quite as fascinating to the ladies as the launch itself. Rumour has it that Mrs Leicester will be dressed by one of Paris' leading couturiers, and that a special patriotic surprise will emerge from her headdress at a crucial moment.

Also on board will be Lady Zinnia Beaufort.

Viewing the launch from a sumptuous pavilion will be many more of the flowers of the realm. Lady Zinnia's sisters Lady Wrackton and Lady Elsie Beaufort will assume pride of place, with their sister-in-law Lady Havesborough.

The gayest and prettiest fashions will be on display, and many a young gentleman has been heard to murmur 'Simply must be there!'

Mrs Archibald Palm will be present with her lovely daughters, including Rosaline whose delightful coming-out we reported in our last issue.

Decorations have been provided by Mrs Robert White and her Ladies' Aid Society, who will be collecting for improvements to the Lambs of the Lord workhouse.

This establishment has recently been acquired by a fascinating visitor from abroad, Colonel Brand, who seeks a new start in the Mother Country after successfully amassing a fortune in the United States.

The Explosion

June 1. 4 in the AM.

Glistening ripples gave the Thames an early morning illusion of cleanliness. Though it would soon be dispelled by the coming of day, for the moment it appeared to be giving the slightest aura of hope in defiance against the chill, grey sky.

A thin shield of morning dew clung to the pale exterior of the dirigible as it floated almost serenely over the crowded blocks. At the height it was, a few rays of the rising sun managed to grace the outer fuselage of the Albion, lending a slight indigo hue to the improbable contraption. An unusual silence was its only company as it sedately made its way towards the Thames.

The gritty surface of the streets did not feel the weight of hundreds of expectant observers, nor did the air echo with deafening cheers. The return of the airship, in the minds of a still mostly slumbering populace, was not to occur for a few hours yet. The streets offered naught but a silent reception for the Albion’s return.

The early morning tranquillity was shattered by an explosion from the heavens above. Torn pieces of fabric and twisted, charred scraps of metal littered the streets below as the airship seemed to stutter in its journey. The oppressive grey sky provided a surprisingly effective contrast to the bright orange flames that erupted from the passenger compartment of the now-crippled dirigible. Like hungrily grasping hands, the fire caught the sides of the gas-filled balloon and raced up the sides. Within moments, the oblate spheroid shape warped and began to collapse upon itself as multiple holes melted open in the heat.

Several fireballs of combusting gas punctuated the almost graceful-looking descent of the wounded ship, drowning out what sounded like fading screams coming from the interior. Like the sun emerging from a full eclipse, tendrils of flame embraced the perimeter of the Albion, as if affectionately holding the collapsing vessel.

The airship described a curving course as it glided downward, jagged chunks occasionally blasting off in tangential arcs. A Vesuvian gloom blotted out the rising sun as choking clouds of gas rained smouldering ash and twisted debris in nearly a kilometre-wide radius around the dying vessel.

The angle of decent took a decidedly steeper turn as the dirigible didn’t quite clear the Tower Bridge, the rapidly melting fabric snagging upon the high spires. The pale glitters dotting the Thames took an angry, red shade as the conflagrating Albion, almost gently, struck the waves, spreading a burning cloak across the polluted river.

The inevitably brightening sky revealed an apocalyptic sight. A near inferno raged in the middle of the Thames, while innumerable smaller fires dotted the surrounding districts , like a dying empire desperately trying to spread its fading influence. Flames licked the underside of London Bridge, threatening to set the architecture alight. The sun rose to a chorus of starving fires, desperately trying to find purchase after consuming the airship. As if in consolation, the Thames washed a single limp, charred, bedraggled figure on its shore.