MOTORS & MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2467, 21 May 1915, Page 9

MOTORS & MOTORING

| . [By Clutch.] A Remarkable Journey. United States Army engineers have recently completed a remarkable expedition aboard a motor wagon, driving half way across Alaska to a point within two degrees of the Arctic Circle, the farthest northern point ever attained by a motor vehicle, and officially confirmed. Fording scores of glacial streams running through canyons and crevasses of solid ice from 800 to 1000 feet in depth, crossing the Alaska and Chugach Mountain ranges 011 steep and icy trails, over unsued passes, blasting their way through fo.-ests and giant boulders, the party drove from Valdez to Fairbanks and return, a distance of 82G miles, in 19 days. Thrilling experiences with snow slides, washouts, and quicksand were reported by the party. In places steel wire cable had to DO wound around the driving solid tires to enable steop and slipping grades to be surmounted. A quantity of supplies and mial matter was carried throughout the journey, a. load of over 18cwt. being transported on tha return trig. Although the trip was undertaken primarily to determine tie possibility and practicability of motor transportation 111 Alaska ( the engineers mapped out a route which reduces by at least one month the time required to roach the larger interior towns, particularly those on the Upper Yuko l and the headwaters of the Tanana River, A Traveling Motor Bathroom. A travelling motor bathroom for the British Army is one of the latest uses that the motor-car is being put to in Europe. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining fairly frequent baths, ihe soldiers have to put up with very serious discomforts. Particularly in the case of wounded men removed from tlio trenches, it is often difficult for proper medical attention to be given promptly without washing facilities being first made available. To partly overcome this difficulty, ar. English manufacturer has now designed a car with a special body and equipment for supplying twelve hot baths at a time. The baths are constructed of stout proofed canvas, capable of standing hot water. These are mounted on u double iron frame. When folded, up they can be carried in a very small space in tho van-like body of the. car. When in use the baths are laid out six on oach 6ide of the car in tents formed by drawing out substantial canvases, which are sec ired to tent poles, forming two compartments of about 18ft. by 10ft. each, with the car in the centre. Canvases are also stretched on the ground under tho baths, and fitted to eyelets under the tent poles. When the car is travelling the tout canvases are rolled up under shelves on each side of the vehicle and strapped in position. The poles and cartings are carried on the roof, which is fitted with a luggago-rail. Hot water is supplied by taps projecting op each side of the forward part of the car body. Hoses are secured to their nozzles. The heating apparatus, which is in duplicate and is placed forward inside the body, consists of two circulating boilers containing coiled copper tubes, capable of supplying two gallons of hot water per minute to each bath tap. Paraffin is used as fuel. Sixty gallons of water are carried, and oxtra supplies are pumped up or taken aboard by a semi-rotary hand pump outside the back of car. The bath body can bo fitted to any good strong chassis of about 20-30 h.p., and already subscriptions are being called for in England to enable a large number of cars so fitted to be sent to the front, and thus assist in maiitaining the Army's welfare. A Motor Story from the Front. One of the best motor stories of the ivar reached our ears the other day from a very trutsworthy source (states an English motor journal), and l its authenticity cannot be doubted. A convoy of new motor lorries was proceeding to the front for service under the charge of Captain X and a subaltern. A fine Rolls-Royce limousine presumably for the use of headquarters staff, had also to be taken up, and, by accidont or design, the subaltern so managed things that, while Captain X led the way in his staff car, he brought up the rear in 'he R.-R. Night came on, but the lorries were wanted urgently, and Captain X kept on steadily. Calling a temporary halt at last, only half the convoy rolled up, the luxurious limousine also being missing. Round went the staff car, and Captain X dashed back, meeting lorry after lorry, ditched or tuning, and at the end of the string the- Rolls-Royce, the inside lights just visible through the curtains. Expecting he knew not what, Capaiu X "opened the door, to discover his subaltern clad in immaculate pyjamas, about to retire for the night. What followed must be imagined; the office censor cannot pass it. A 1000 Miles Raoa. The promoters of the big annual Indianopolis "500," the riohest, longest, and most important motor-car track race in the world, are proposing to run even a bigger event than the worldfamed "500." The latest idea- is to hold on the Indianopolis speedway a 1000 miles' race for prizes aggregating £20,000, or double the value of the "500" prize money. To make the event exclusive and more interesting, it is suggested that only the make of cars that have previously figured as winners of the 500 miles' race will bo eligible to compate. If this idea is carried out only four makes of cars would compete, viz., the Marmoit (1911), National (1912), Peugeot" (1913), and Delage (1914). Tho suggestion is that each of these makers be allowed to nominate from three to five cars each; also that the cars must each show a speed of 90 miles per hour for 20 lap 3 ot the track, equal to about' 50 miles. Whilst such an event would provide a magnificent contest, strong opposition will probably bo made by many of the leading American car manufacturers, who run racing teams, to the proposal to allow only two American and two French cars into such a rich event, with its £10,000 first prize. Should the "1000"' eieituate it will probably be found tint other leading American makers will be represented in the field. The annual Indianopolis "500" is to bo decided this month. Lamps Alight. Legal lighting up time for motorcars and motor cycles .-To-day, 4.38 p.m. Next Friday, 4.33 p.m. Here and There. An enormous' amount of English and French money is pouring into tho United States for American motor lorries, etc. One large concern has a contract for 1200 two-ton lorries, fitted with special bodies, and many others have orders ranging from 300 to 200 motors, oacli of from five to two tons capacity. In December last over £600,000 worth of commercial lorries were shipped to France and England. A private motorist now driving an ambulance car at tho front states that the French have suffered rather badly by the carriage of German spies, who have induced innocent drivers of travelling ambulances to give them lifts. Tho French are now very careful. 111 going up country each driver is supplied with a laisser-passor, which most minutely describes both driver and passenger, who are often amused hy the frequently too candid comments upon their appearance that ar- written on these documents At every barrier out-

side townships these passes hare to be shown while the inspecting official leisure!)' goes over eacli of the specified features, often with a subdued commentary to his comrado that makes anyone conversant with French roar with laughter or quiver with rage, according to temperament. A well-known American sports promoter is desirous of bringing out a strong team of racing cyclists, including Frank Kramer, the champion sprinter of the world, to Australia next season. It all depends on tlio attitude of tlie League of New South Wales Wheelmen to the proposed visit whether negotiations can be fixed up for the trip. The team spoken of comprises, in addition to Kramer, Goulott, (j-renda, Cavanagh, and several French, Belgian, and Italian cracks, also racing ond pacing motors. Should the necessary arrangements be completed, two six-days' races and a big handicap will be held. If this trip conies off, the team will leave America for Australia next December.

Edison, who has hitherto been mainly known in connection with his work in the electrical field, has npw turned his attention to the problem of recovering benzole as a motor-car fuel from coke-making pkuts, for it is reported that he is engaged on the construction of a plant for that purpose, and in accordance with his own designs, at Johnstown, Pennsylvania.