TO THE POLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13904, 15 May 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

TO THE POLE.

by wei'lmans airship,

" Andree had a chance, but it was a very poor one. We are working out a scientific problem with practical meehtnical means, and if the weather givi-s us half an opportunity we shall get to the North Pole without a doubt."

The speaker was Mr Melvin Vaniman, engineer to Mr Walter Wellman's second airship 'expedition to the North Polo. Mr Vaniman wa.s discussing with a "Daily Chronicle" representative the possibilities of the success of this'second venture. The airship in which the attempt will be made is the same, with some improvements, which failed in 1007, and Mr Vaniman has brought it front Paris to the International Aero and Motor Boat Exlubition, at Olympia. " We are not building anything fantnstic." Mr Vaniman went on, "I designed and constructed the ship, and the fact that I am going in it shows that-I have confidence in its ability to survive all dangers. We know every tiling that science and engineering skill can think of. and if anybody has an idea we 'shall be very glad to consider it."

As at the previous attempt, .the start will lip marlp from Dane's Island, on the .west coast of Spitsbergen. From Dane's Tsland the North Polo is.distant onlv 700 statute* miles; and Mr Vanimaii believes that the party pan travel to their objective, and hack easily in three days. There will be no hilt at the Pole; assuming it is reaehed. As an alternative to turning haek the voyagers could, of eourse, reach Siberia or Alaska, provided they were not driven towards Behring Spa and the North Pacific. '•But" said Mr Vaniman with a slim" of his shoulders, "that, would not be ns good as coming back; we want to bring our ship haek to civilisa-

tion. The weather at Dane's Island is generally very favourable, with an even temperature for 24 hours a day. The first day's work I did there in ]:)07 .was done in my shirt sleeves. Then there are no artificial difficulties audi as tall buildings to interfere with the starting and the navigation of the ship. The starting of the airship was a difficulty last time. It had to lie held down by 40 men until the moment came for letting it "take the. air." .For this trip Air Vaniman has devised a car which will hold the ship down until it is ready to leave the shed. The' ship will take the car with it when it starts, but when it begins to pick Up the " oquilibrator," or guide rope, the car will be cut loose and allowed to fall to the ground.

The " omiilibrator " is one of the most extraordinary parts of the Wellnan airship's equipment. Tt> is both a guide-rope and a larder, for in addition to the provisions carried in the airship itself, the " equilibrator" will be packed in all its sections.with food of various kinds. This part of the vessel's equipment is snake-like in.appearance. 120 ft long, the sections being jointed together and covered with scales.

The Wellmnn airship is constructed of'material'which makes it impervious Lo everything except tire. Tt is not so large as the German Zeppelin, but is, according to its designer and builder, more than double the size of'the French Ville de Paris or the BvWUh Null! S"- • •nndus. Its. lenftth is 'lß2ft., and its diameter 52ft. The petrol tank is lloTt l"ng, and carries three tops of petrol. The envelope has a capacity of 7800 "übic metres, and the ship can can-v a fon and a half of provisions. Eight Esouimaux dogs will be taken and tl'ree sledges. These will be for travelling on the ice. if it should be necessary te "omo down, and in addition thn> - e will be a boat if the travellers should to take lo open water. Tnside the t shir> two "iialioonets" are susnon'ded. and into these air may be admitted with the object of counteracting the expansion _ or contraction of the 'gas in the larger vessel.

Th» expedition will be Provided with ""'fficient food to last eight months. The provisions will include larsre quantities of bacon, which Mr Vnnimaii savs is the most nourishing food that can be eatci in the Arctic recio'is.

"Wo have not the sb>htp*t desire to ]pip our lives." sa ; d Mr Van'man. "and if wp thought tlip dnngpr of oif expedition was rren+er fl'nn that of trying to props tlip Strand at a busy t.imo. wo would s f iv /it homp. As a nint ,r >r.nf T don't, spp how vro pan gpt into a dangerous nnsitin.n."