THE NORTH POLE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 25, 30 September 1913, Page 4

THE NORTH POLE.

Captain Ronald Amundsen lias stated to an interviewer that two hydro-aero-planes of large size are now being constructed at San Francisco for use during 'his forthcoming expedition to the North Pole, and that each will have an engine of 100 horse-powei and be able to start from open water or ice, say® the Morning Post. Questioned regarding the effect of cold, Captain Amundsen declared that he did not fear it, and that he had no doubt as to the success of aviation in the Polar. regions if ascents were n otmade on tire coldest days. Captain Doxrud ,who will command the Fram, is being trained, and Captain Amundsen himself is already sufficiently experienced to use aeroplanes. Captain Amundsen is confident that it wili'be possible to make a dash in the direction of the Pole by means of air-craft-should the Fraip ,be stopped on diverted from j. hep pour§e during the, drift through the icp. He is ; of opinion that aeroplanes , yvilL be, invaluable during future expeditions.-(jThe Franl has' left for Colon, where she will embark Rear-Admiral Peary and Captain Amundsen. From Colon she expects to proceed to the Panama Canal, and it is even hoped she will be the first vessel to pass through. The Fram, with Captain Amundsen, .will : then, : go to the Arctic regions, and,; it is the intention of the explorer to reach the Pole by making use of the Arctic currents. The Fram will return tp Christiania via Spitzbergen. The expedition is expected to last six years. Captain, Doxrud proposes to take up aviation at San Francisco with the object of flying in the Polar regions.