The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-07-30
AN AERONAU1TS PLAN.
he Will Start for the North Pole
in a Monster Balloon.
EMINENT SCIENTIST INTERESTED.

DR.. Eikhoin,, the Swedish Meteoroiisist.
VIII Accompany M. Andrse in His Bold
Enterprise, and Predicts Its success-The
Expedition VIII Start Next July.
LONDON, July 80.-The session Of the
International geographical congress was
occupied with the discussion OF polar ex-
plorations. DIR. Neumayer and Mr.. Joseph
Hooker, asurvivor Of the Artic expedition
headed by Sir John Ross, 1s29-s3, urged
that fresh expeditions be equipped, and
DIR. Murray, leader Of the Challenger ex-
pedition, argued In behalf OF the theory
that the Antarctic continent was not
succession Of volcanic islands and that in
vestigations In the Antarctic ocean ought
to be undertaken by the navies OF tho
world and not as result OF private enter
prise. A committee was appointed to draft
q aresolution In favor of further explora-
tions.
Most Of the interest of the day centered
in paper read by M. s. A. Andres, pro-
posing balloon route to the north pole.
The idea seems feasible as propoundod by
the explorer. The only difficulty appeared
to be how to mako sufficient gas for the
balloon. Then, again, prominent geog-
raphists seemed to think the proposal
would fail without the use Of boats, with
much provisions, to rely upon In case Of
accident. The general impression Of the
congress, however, was that the proposal
was lacking in practical application.
NJ. Andree has secured the sanction Of
the Swedish Scientific society to his bal
loon project, and has received 9 liberal
donation to help defray expenses from
King Oscar OF Sweden. Sufficient funds
have, In fact, been obtained, and the at.
tempt is assured, but NJ. Andree naturally
desired the approval Of SO authoritative
body as the international geographical
congress. He explained that NJ. Yon, of
Paris, has entered into contract to mako
the machine OF double silk, of which
about $500 cubic meters will be required,
the cost being R2. 200. The balloon is to be
capable of carrying three persons, with
the necessary instruments and ballast
and four months provisions. 1t will be
sufficiently gas tight to hover In the aiR
for thirty days at height of $50 meters.
NJ. Andree calculates that l ZOO to 500
cylinders filled with gas, under a pressure
Of 100 to 300 atmospheres, will be required
for the expedition, in order to refill the
balloon from time to time. He believes
he will be able to guide the machine by o
system of sails and ropes, acting as
brake in case of need by dragging on the
earth The car is to be spacious enough
to contain a sledge, a sailing boat, several
weapons with ammunition, and photo
graphic camera.
Early next spring it Is proposed to erect
a balloon house, and after filing the bal
loon to start on the aerial voyage for the
pole In July, with fresh south or nearly
south wind. The duration Of the voyage
nf tba
strength Of the wind. 1t might possibly
last only Ave or six hours, but NJ. Apdree
expects 1t will take at least forty. Thirty
days, he believes, will suffice for cruising
about the central polar basin in all direc-
tions, and taking q complete survey Of 1t.
The return journey is to be made to-
wards the inhabited parts Of North
America or northern Siberia. With q
wind of average velocity NJ. Andree says
the balloon can make 10, 400 kilometres in
thirty days, whereas the distance from
Spitrbergen to the Behring straits, via
the pole, is only 8,70o.
DIR. Ii. Wichmann, of Gotha, one Of the
most prominent German geographers, In
commenting on the project. says:
The execution Of this bold enterprise
may, Of course, be materially Influenced
by many unforeseen contingencies. Hhe
prolect IL py no means fantastic one,
but has been naturally and cautiously
worked out in the light of science. This
is best proved by the fact that DIR. Elk
holm, the eminont meteorologist, who
was in charge Of the Swedish observatory
in .Spitzbergen In 1889 to 1885, has an
nounced that he will take part in the ex.
pedition, and he predicts entire success.
Last evening Hon. and Mrs. George N.
Curzon gave reception to the Interna-
tional Geographical society at their man
sion,