POLAR GEAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20132, 29 December 1939, Page 6

POLAR GEAR

! BYRD EXPEDITION ! HIGHLY MECHANIZED ! _____ | TRANSPORT FEATURES MODERN IDEAS Expense has not been spared ‘ in making the United States Antarctic Expedition, the best equipped that has ever sailed. One of its ships, the North Star, which arrived at Wellington on Wednesday, is loaded and has her decks stowed high with an amazing assortment of gear including the huge “snow cruiser,” two aeroplanes, sledges and tractors. The expedition is taking four aeroplanes. These are two Curtiss Condor biplanes, each powered with twin engines of 1400 horse-power, a Beechcraft monoplane with two engines, each of 350 horse-power, and a Barklev Crow monoplane with two engines each of 450 horse-power. The last-named machine is on board the Bear and one of the Condors is to be picked up later at Valparaiso. On the foredeck of the North Star is a giant automobile known as the 1 snow cruiser ” When assembled it measures 55ft in length, 20ft in width and 15ft in height. Its weight is about 27 tons, and when fully loaded about 37i tons. Planned by Dr. T. C. Poulter. who was second in command of the second Byrd Antarctic Expedition, the snow-cruiser was designed by the Research Foundation of the Armour Institute of Technology under his direction.

Both motive and auxiliary power for the snow cruiser is supplied by two 150 h.p. Diesel engines, each directly connected to a traction-type generator. A 75 h.p. traction motor is affixed to each wheel and power may be directed to any one wheel or to any combination of one, two, three, or four wheels.

Features of the Snow Cruiser

One of the most interesting features of the snow cruiser is the ingenious arrangements which will enable it to cross 15-foot crevasses in the ice. Each of the wheels is equipped with a hydraulic lift, making it possible to raise any one—or any combination—of the 10-foot, rubber-tired wheels a distance of four feet.

When the snow cruiser reaches a crevasse, power is directed to the rear wheels, the front wheels are withdrawn and the back wheels push the nose across the crevasse. When the rear wheels reach the crevasse, the front wheels are lowered, power is diverted to them, the back wheels are drawn up and the tail of the cruiser is pulled across the opening. Once across, the back wheels are lowered into normal postion and the cruiser proceeds under four-wheel drive.

The snow cruiser, which can turn, around in its own length, move sidewise at a 25-degree angle or climb 37 per cent grades, has a cruising range of 5000 miles and a maximum speed of 30 miles an. hour. In the Antarctic, it .vill carry a year’s supply of food for the four or five-man crew of scientists and technicians, two spare times, 2500 gallons of Diesel fuel oil and 1000 gallons of petrol for the five-passenger, ski-mounted cabin aeroplane which will be moored on the top deck. The snow cruiser contains living quarters, combination gaiiey and dark room, two-way radio station, engine-room, scientific laboratory, a machine shop and controlroom.

The plane will be equipped as a laboratory and also will carry special aeriql cameras. It will operate within a 300-mile radius of its moving base, enabling the crew to photograph and map large unexplored areas of Antarctica. It is hoped that the snow cruiser and its plane, together, will be able to accomplish more in the way of exploration and survey during its first three months in the Antarctic than have all previous expeditions combined. Dr. Poulter will command the snow cruiser during its first three months in the South Pole region. When it returns for supplies to one of the two stationary bases to be established at strategic points he will return to the United States, remaining in touch with the snow, cruiser by means of radio. Dr. F. A. Wade, chief scientist of the expedition, will then become commander of the cruiser. Other members of Ihe cre.v will include Corporal Felix Ferranto, radio operator, Theolcre A. Petra?, aeroplane pilot, both of the United States Marine Corps; Charles Meyer, chief machinist’s mate, U.S. Navy, Numerous Sledge Dogs

There are 74 dogs on board the North Star, not including a number of pups born since the voynge began. ; The Bear is carrying 76 dogs, which also have added to their numbers at sea. The dogs will be divided between the two bases in the Antarctic to provide teams for the numerous sledges to be used in transport work there. Three United States Army tanks, specially adapted for work on snow and ice, form an important part of the transport equipment of the expedition.

Special attention has been given to the rommissririat department, and the ample foodstuffs have been specially selected and prepared for Antarctic requirements.

It is of interest to record that the North Star’s crew includes two Eskimos, the first of their ’•ace ever to go t- the Antarctic. One ; s employed as a cook end the other in the engineroom department.