THE ATTACK ON THE NORTH POLE. A Second Attempt.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 6, 1 April 1907, Page 222

THE ATTACK ON THE NORTH POLE. A Second Attempt.

According to the latest information on the subject the Wellman Arctic expedition has established wireless communication from 600 miles of the Pole via Hammerfest (the northernmost town in Europe.) The balloon house is now nearly completed, and the aerial expedition to the Pole will start in the middle of August It is generally admitted that, if Mr. Wellman ever succeeds in reaching the North Pole and in coming back safely to relate the full narrative of his adventures and discoveries, he will have accomplished an exploit which will have thrown past performances, in which cool courage and scientific knowledge have been intermingled, far into the shade. The America is the name of the airship. It has a lifting power of no less than 16,0001b ; the weight of the ship.its machinery and appliances being only half that amount, thus leaving a balance of B,ooolb for crew and cargo. Unlike any previous airship, the America will carry 5,5001b of petrol, sufficient fuel for a vo} age of 1,800 miles, these calculations being based on the prevalence of calm. The total length of the car of the airship, which is constructed of wood, strengthened by steel, is 52£ ft. while its width is 6ft. What may be described as the deck is divided into three sections, the centre portion being occupied by a basketwork cabin 12ft. in length and 7ft. high, which will be the living and sleeping quarters of all on board. The motor power of the airship consists of two motors, one of 55 and the other of 25 horse-power. The first will drive the forward screw, which is 18Jft. in diameter, 280 turns a minute, whrle the latter drives the rear screw (14fft. in diameter) 350 turns per minute. Either may be worked alone or both together. The larger one is calculated to give a speed of twelve miles per hour, and both together eighteen miles per hour. The total crew of the airship will be five men, of whom three will always be on duty One of them will be stationed on the navigation deck, where he works the rudder and watches the instruments ; one in the engine room ; and the third will be on duty in the basket below the car, occupied in working the windlass which operates the drag anchor and the guide rope. It is not calculated that any of the crew will be able to get more th.ail three or four hours sleep per day. The plan is th&t the airship shall not rise to a greater average height' than 400 to 500 feet. The airship party will consist o f Mr. Wellman, who will hay* with him Major H. D. Hersey, who represents the United States Government and the national Geog"aphical Society of Washington as scientific observer and navigator, M. Gaston Herviev. the well knowu aeronaut, Mr. M. J. Smith, the wireless telegraph e^^pert, and Mr. Paul Colardeau, who will be in charge of the motors. The balloon portion of the airship is ] 64ft m length, hiving a diameter of 52ft, and a surface measuring 21,000 square feet, containing 224,000 cubic feet of hydrogen. Ten thousand square yards of material were required to make the balloon, which consists of three thicknesses of fabric, each coated with rubber, and all three cemented into one. This material will stand a strain of 7001b per square foot, or five times the maximum work to be put upon it From the moment in August that the airship leaves Spitzbergen for the pole, it is hoped that she will be in constant wireless communication with the stations at Spitzbergen and Hammerfest. Hence it is possible that Mr. Wellman may achieve the dramatic triumph of sending a wirelesss message from the Pole. Should any disaster happen to the airship, the expedition will resolve itself into a sledging party, the sledges, of which six will be carried on the airship, being drawn by two motor sledges, each of six horse-power. These motor sledges were designed by Mr. Wellman, and based upon his former experience with dog sledging in the Arctic. They are constructed on the principle of a motor cycle, weigh only 200 pounds each, and are thus capable of being lifted by two men over the rough ice. Mr. Wellman thoroughly understands (says a London paper) the futility of employing anything like an automobile over the rough Arctic ice. In addition the airship will carry a light steel boat 16ft. long and sft. broad, which will be employed for crossing open water. Food which will be of a total weight of 300 pounds, and contained m a small box of 16 cubic feet, a*nd sufficient for the whole party for seventy-five days, will be carried in the little cabin of the airship. The explorer estimates the probable return voyage with favourable wind should occupy five, and with adverse winds fifteen days.

He only is weakened by trial who runs away from it.