TO NORTH POLE BV AIRSHIP

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 276, 18 May 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

TO NORTH POLE BV AIRSHIP

CAPT. AMUNDSEN'S PROJECTED TRIP.

Capt. Ronald Amundsen, discoverer of the South Pole, recently sailed from New York on his way to Christiania to make final preparations for his aerial trip to the North Pole. He expects to return to America once before making the flight, to purchase the most highly developed aeroplane for the attempt. Capt. Amundsen will witness the launching of his new polar ship at Christiania. The equipment which 110 has been gathering together in America will be placed on the ship, and the explorer will then return to the United States to procure the aeroplane in which lie will make tiie final dn.sh.

The now polar ship will for- 'e its way through the ice to a position in the Arct'c situated at RMog. north latitude. This base is 69 miles from the pole. From there the explorer will fly toward the Polo, with the exportation of roaming it in loss tlinji p.n hour of flight. The aeroplane which Capt. Amundsen will use will bo capable of 150 m'los an hour, the explorer hopes. With him in the final flight will be an observer.

"Ideal conditions for flying prevail at the North Pole." Capt. Amundxen said enthusiastically. "The atmosphere is clear and still. Many people think of tiio North Pole as oxtremetv oo!d, but it is much warmer in the cummer time, soeminglv. than it 's at present on the do-k of thin ship. Onlv when the winds are high does one suffor from cold near the Pole. and. fortunately, there is little wind around tlio Pole. , 4 . "There are no air pockets to disturb the balance of the aeroplane. The atmosphere is un'form in weight, and is >-o clear that the human eye is I ke the Ion" of :< telescope. "I hone to flv all round the North Pole, with inv observer taking notes all Hie while. The t rip is being made soloIv for scientific reasons."