Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1891-02-23
FOR THE NORTH POLE.


bers OF the body in question might fair
ly arouse the admiring envy of our own
modest little Balloon Sbciety, which,
when there is nothing of particular in
terest going on in the world of aerosta-
ton is content to discuss such extrane-
Gus topics as Shakespeare and the mu-
steal glasses, says the London Tele-
graph. The collegiate. aerial navi-
gators Of Lutetia aim at far more ex-
allied things than mere theoretical
d:iettantism. They are. nothing If not
practical; and two Of their alumni, one
an acronaut and the other an astron-
oner, propose at an early date to make
an attempt to reach the North Pole by
means Of a balloon. They have been SO
kind as to explain to their colleagues
their intended mode of procedure in
order to reach-and perhaps pass-the
Ultima Thule Of Arctic. exploration.
The North Polar balloon is to be made
of double thickness OF Chinese silk,
which will be induced with an impene-
trable varnish; and the machine will be
capable of holding about forty-tive thou
sand feet of pure hydrogen gas, having
sustaining force Of eight thousand
pounds. Accompanying. this huge
"piece de resistance" will be a few
pretty tiny kickshaws" in the shape of
small pilot balloons. which are to be sent
up as soon as the adventurous Voyagers
reach the North Pole, to test the air
currents prevailing in that distant re-
gion; and there will also be attached to
the machine four huge bags full of
hydrogen to replenish the main reser-
xy<ir IN st
"huge bags" will all be provided with
valves, else tho probability of their
bursting when tho balloon gets into
highly raretied atmosphere will be
far from remote contingency.
Tho car which, for an indefinite
period, is to be the residence of the
voyagers will be coated with thin steel,
and will accommodate, in addition to
tho aeronaut and astronomer, sleigh,
eight dogs to draw it, a small unsinka-
Bile canoe and provisions for a month.
The stores will, it is to be hoped, con-
tain good supply of antimonial ONT
,ment whereWith to anoint the edges of
the valves, to prevent their freezing in
high attitudes. The astronomer, like
wise, will of course be provided with an
adequate stock of instruments where
with to take the minutest observations
OF the Polar star or Little Bear, diScov-
cred in 1870 B. G. by the Chinese EN-
peror Hong III, who, rs everybody
knows, was q grandson of Admiral Noah.
Such is tho outline Of the certainly
enterprising scheme propounded to the
College of Aerial Navigation by NM.
Besancon and IIermite, who should not,
ut any rate, be denied the credit of hav-
ing paid minute attention to the details
OF an amusingly QuiXotic plan. In order
to keep the balloon ut uniform distance
from the earth it will he furnished with
stout ropo and a grapnel or anchor, to
drag along tho surface, either Of ice or
water. The experience Of the travellers
among pacl1-ice will probably be of the
most exciting description. The balloon,
however, is not to start direct from
Paris for tho Arctic regions; hence tho
contingency will be avoided of it's COM
ing down ingloriously at Carpentras or at
Brives'la- Caillarde few hours after it's
ascent. Two vessels are to be equipped
at q French port and sail for Spitz-
bergen. There the hydrogen gas will
be manufacturod-presumably by car
30 VI IFOu nllHSS 10 DO Carrlcu Dy one OF
the ships-and the great balloon and it's
satellites will be inflated. The aeronauts
estimate their stay in the air at about
ten days duration; and meanwhile they
will be employed in meteorological and
Photographic observations and expert
ments which, it may be hoped, will
not be disturbed by the barking
Of tho eight dogs in the car. Where the
adventurers will descend they have at
pre- ent no definite idea. They have
certainly very wide world before them
where to chooses; or, indeed, they would
have IL the wind in it's circuits allowed
any choice Of descent at all to aerial
navigators destitute Of any steering APP
paratus. -... ....-.
An important geographical fact has
boon ascertained at the sacrifice of
many valuable lives and the expcnd-
iture Of immense treasure; but that is
all. Tho duration OF the expedition of