The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-08-02
AN AERONAUTS PLAN.
He Will Start for the North Pole
in a Monster Balloon.
EMINENT SCIENTIST INTERESTED.

DIR. EikhoIm, the swedish Metcoroligist,
VIII Accompany NJ. Andree In His Bold
Enterprise, and Predicts Its success-Ths
Expedition VIII Start Next July.
LONDON, July 30.-The session OF the
international geographical congress was
occupied with the discussion OF polar eL-
plorations. DIR. Neumayer and Mr.. Joseph
Hooker, n survivor OF the Artic expedition
headed by Sir John Ross 1S29.33, 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 the
world and not as result Of private enter
prise A committee was appointed to draft
a resolution in favor of further explora-
tions.
Most OF the interest Of tho day conferred
In paper read by NJ. S. A. Andree, pro-
| posing balloon route to the north pole.
| The idea seems feasible rs propounded by
the explorer. The only difficulty appeared
to be how to make sufficient gas for the
| balloon Then, again, prominent goog-
| 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 n 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. Androe naturally
desired the approval of SO authoritative q
| body as the International geographical
congress. He explained that NJ. Yon, Of
Paris, has entered into contract to make
| 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 n height of 250 meters.
| NJ. Andree calculates that 700 to 300
cylinders filed with gas, under pressure
Of 100 to 900 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 a
| system Of sails and ropes, acting as a
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
| balloon house, and after filing tho 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
must, Of course, largely depend on tho
strength Of the wind. 1t might possibly
last only five or six hours, but NJ. Andrea
expects it will take at least forty. Thirty
days, he believes, will suffice for cruising
about the central polar basin in all direc-
tions, and taking complete survey Of 1t.
The return journey Is to be made to-
wards the inhabited parts of North
America or northern Siberia. With a
wind of average velocity, NJ. Andree says
the balloon can make 10, 400 kilometres in
thirty days, whereas the distance from
Spitzbergen to the Behring straits, via
the pole, is only 3,700.
| 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. The
project is by 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 DR.. Elk
holm, the eminent meteorologist, who
WAS in charge of the Swedish observatory
in .Spitzbergen in 1882 to 1888, 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.