TO THE WORTH POLE BY AIRSHIP.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9439, 8 May 1909, Page 2

TO THE WORTH POLE BY AIRSHIP.

At the International Aero and Motor Boat Exhibition, London, the huge envelope of the Wellman airship is hoisted into position, looking though the stait of tl\e Polar expedition were merely a matter of hours. Even the sledge dogs are aboard. When the Exhibition closes the airship will he packed up and carted away to Dane’s Island in readiness for another attempt to discover the North Pole. “We are working out a scientific problem,” the manager said to an interviewer, “with praotolal mechanical means. We know every difficulty that is likely to occur, and we are taking precautions accordingly. “We have not the slightest desire,” he said, laughingly, “to lose onr lives in the Arctic regions, and if we thought the danger was greater than trying to cross the Strand in a busy hour we should stay at home. THREE DAYS’ JOURNEY. “From our starting point the distance is 700 miles. With favourable conditions we ought to travel to the Pole and back again comfortably in three days. We should come back rather than cross over into Siberia, because we shall be anxious to get our ship back safe into oivilistaion in the quickest possible time. Circumstances being favourable, our ship should be capable of travelling 3000 miles. The weather at our base is all that we conld desire—an even temperature of Odeg Fahrenheit, and •sunshine fcr twenty-four hours a day. Preparing for our last expedi tion, I worked in my shirt-sleeves! Then there are no houses or other obstacles to interfere with oar work. We carry provisions to last eight

months, and with the help of the dogs and sledge with which we are equipped we should be. able to get back to civilisation irom the worst possible position into which we might be precipitated.” COLOSSAL DIMENSIONS. The Wellman airship is not so large as toe Zeppelin airship, but, according to Mr is more than double the size of the Ville de Paris or the Nnlli Seoundns. It is 182 ft long, With a diameter of 52ft. Its petrpi tank has a length of' 115 ft, and can carry 3 tons. The envelope has a 'cubic capacity of 7800 metres, and carries enough gas for forty days. It will lift a total weight of tons, including a ton and a-half of~ provisions, eight dog, three sledges, and three men. Food is stored in the “Eqnilibrators,” whiobJtraiLfrom the balloon. These are made of chrome leather covered with scales. They are 120 ft. long. Inside the envelope are halloonnets, into which air may be admitted with a view to counteracting the contraction and expansion of the main balloon.