The morning call., 1891-02-08

obtained. His idea is to navigate his vessel
as close to the earth lis conveniently posi-
BILE, and In case of meeting storm to rise
above il. He thinks he could reach New
York from San Francisco within two days
For some months past two French gentle
men, one OF whom is prominent mem
her of the National Academy of Sciences,
Paris, France, have been at work secretly at
Pittsburg, Pa, says the Chicago Inter
Ocean, On the 26th of last month
the veil of secrecy was removed, and thew
gave an exhibition of flying machine, upon
which they had been at work during their
stay in that city. 1t was only thirteen feet
in length, and the place chosen for the ex-
hibition was limited in space, only the menu
bers of the press and some of the CITY offi-
Gals having been present. The inventor
rose in the air, went forward, backward.
stopped still, turned around, and, in fact.
did just whatever he pleased to show the
perfect control he had over his machine.
In the published account no description of
Its motive power or lis interior is given. but
the result Will not be long forthcoming.
ana now The theories of all OF these
theorists are to be concentrated into one
grand practical effort. Gustaye Hernitte
the French astronomer, acting under sup
gestiOns made by Nj. NJ. Siyei and SjlbeT
mann of the Chemical Laboratory of the
SorDonne, or Paris University, is engaged
IN me obstruction OF balloon, with which
to pass over the North Pole, starting from
some point III France in the spring OF 1892.
The balloon will be a Spherical airshin.
measuring l5,0OC cubic meters, and inflated
with pure hydrogen gas will be able to
carry sixteen and one-half tons: il will con-
sist Of two layers OF the best Chinese silk.
capable OF resisting pressure Of $3.50 pounds
per square yard. On the outside il viii he
coated with new kind OF air-tight varnish,
SPECIALLY invented for the purpose. inside
the bigger balloon will be adapted a smaller
one OF $3.50 yaldS, with sell-acting valves.
and yentllator worked by electricity. the
object of this apparatus is to regulate the
Inflow or outflow OF gas from one balloon
Into the other, accordingly as the fluid may
expand or contract, so as TO keep the chief
balloon constantly inflated. A manometer
fixed on the outside will in each case
measure the rarity OF the gas as it occurs
The travellers will be provided with four pilot
balloons OF 54 cubic yards, which will he dis
patched over the North Pole in order to
ascertain the aerial currents, and sixteen bal
looms Of 3S4 cueIc yards III the aggregate to
feed the chief one.
Two heavy guide ropes, made of twisted
steel wire, are to be used as drags in order
to keep the air-ship at given height from
the land, sea, or lceb ergs, SO that there NAV
be 10 interruption in The Photographic or
Typographical observations, taken in view of
mapping out eventually the regions discoy-
cred.
They will be provided against the con.
t!ngency OF an intensely cold Temperature
ali tie way 10 the pole. The car Will be in
wickerworK and tightly covered with steel.
ana VIII De Kept warm inside by petroleum
| apparatus and thick wooden wall fixtures
! IL will carry, besides NJ. BesancOn. who is A
| professional aer0naut, and NJ Hermitte.
three assistants, eight Esquimau dogs. a
sledge and llte-boat, in addition to two
months PROVISIONS. The drinking water
Will be kept from freezing by chemical
| process. The upper part, or ceiling of the
| Car, Will be fitted up 10 serve as a deck. and
midway between this deck and the balloon
| there will be lofty poop of circular shape,e
| TO which access may be had by means Of n
rore ladder. The inside of the car will be
| divided into three separate compartments.
VIZ, room to live in, laboratory, and
dog kennel.
The following is summary of the objects
| the balloon will carry: Five men and lug
| gage. 1l6S English pounds; sixty days food
Tor men and dogs, 5551 pounds; doss, III
| pounds; weapons aud tools, 551 pounds;
| scientific instruments and apparatus 6062
| pounds; netting, HOP pounds; valves and
| hoops, l2l2 pounds; car, boat, sledge, cap
STAINS, motors, ETC., DOLL pounds; guide
ropes, 1865 pounds; ballast, mostly water
| and alcohol, 1893 pounds; i'll all round
total of $4,000 English pounds.
| The enlire cost of the expedition esti-
| mated at S1l2,00O is at present subscribed,
and arrangements are under way to start
| from Bordeaux, or some other French port
| IN May, 1882, so as TO reach tie Arctic circle
before July OF the Sane year. The safety
anu lie SuccesS "a the aeIlal exploration
| depend upon the length of time the balloon
| can be kept atiOat in the air. One of
| the chief points about which they have
| been chiefly concerned is TO find out ths
staying properties of hydrogen gas when
| confined in silken fabrics saturated with
| yarnish. Coal gas is usually employed in
| Initiating air globes nowadays. They, how
| ever, must use hydrogen, about which little
] Is known in this connection; aud they must
| make it on the spot. THIS is their principal
| difficulty. The great point to ascertain is
whether balloon inflated with pure hydro
gen gas can be kept up long enough to reach
| the pole The solution Of this problem de-
ponds on the varhish, and to prevent the
! escape OF this most subtle of all fuiJts is
| their present maSnum opus. They think
| ing to their best calculations, Will last fully
SIX months.