Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-10-09
Fly 10 the Pole.

Fly 10 the Pole.
The most interesting event at the session
Of the Int irrational Geographic congress in
London was the development of a scheme,
whose trial seemed to be assured, to make an
eifrt to reach the North pole by balIoon.-
The project j. backed by the King of Swe-
den.
The session was opened with the discus.
sion of polar exploration. DR.. Neamayer
and Mr.. Joseph Hookrr, survivor Of the
arc ic exp' dion headed by Sir J"hn Ross,
lS29-93, urged that fresh expeditions be
equipred and Dr. Murray, leader of the
Challenger expedition, argued in support of
tie theory that the antarctic continent was
not a succes ion OF volcanic islands and that
Investigations in the Antarctic ocean ought
10 he undertaken by the navies Of the world
and not Ms result of private enterprise. A
small committee was appointed to draft a
,soution in favor of further explorations.
Mot of The interest of the day centered in
a paper read by NJ. s A. Andre. proposing
4 balloon route 10 the North Pole. The idea
seemed feasible as propounded by the ex-
porer. The only difficulty appeared TO be
how to make sufficient gas for the balloon.
Then again, prominent Biographies seemed
to think that the proposal would fail with
out the use of boats with much provisions, to
rely upon in case OF accident. The general
Impression of the congress, however, was
hat the proposal was lacking in proper ap-
pication
NJ Andre has secured the sanction of the
Swedish Scientific society to his balloon pro-
jec', and has received liberal donation, to
help to deiray expenses, from King Oscar Of
sweden. Sufficient funds, have, in fact,
neeh obtained and the attempt is assured,
hut NJ. Andre naturally desired the approval
Of 81 authoritative body as the Internation-
81 Geographical congress.
He explained that NJ Yon of Paris has en-
tered into contract to make the machine of
doub silk, of which about 9, 500 cubic me-
Ier- will be required, the COS, being $1,000.
The balloon is TO be capable of carrying
three persons, with necessary instruments
and ballast aud fur months provisions. 1t
wi be sufficiently gas tight to hover in the
air for 80 days a height of $50 meters, or
$40 feet.
VI. Andre calculates that seventeen hun.
dred to eighteen hundred cylinders filled
with "a, under pressure of one 10 two hun
dfed atmo-phrres, will be required ftr the
xpeduion, in order t. refill the balloon from
time to time. He believes he will be able
to guide the machine by system of sails
and ropes acting Il, brake, in case Of need,
by dragging on the earth. The car is TO be
spacious enough to coma ain sledge, sail
ing boat, several weapons with ammunition,
and photographic camera.
Early next spring il is proposed TO erect
nalloon house aud after filling the balloon to
arr on the aerial voyage for the pole in
July, with fre.h south or nearly south
wind. The duration Of the voyage must, Of
coure largely depend on the strength Of the
wind It might possibly last only five or
SIX hours, but NJ. Audre expects that it will
take at eat forty. Thirty days, he believes,
will suffice for cruising about the central po-
lar basin in all directions, and taking COM
plrte ,urvey of il.
Thr rr'urn journey is 10 be made towards
the inhabited parts of North America or
\ r hern Siberia With a wind Of average
velocity. NJ Andre says, the balloon can
make 200 miles in thirty days, whereas the
distance from Spitzbergen to the Bering
straits via thu pole is only 2,3OO miles.
DR. II Wichman. Of Gotha. one Of the
m st eminent G rman veographers, in com
mentng on the project says:
"The execution of this bold enterprise
may, Of course be materially Influenced by
many un orseen contingencies. The project
IS 10y no means a fantastic one, but has been
naturally aud cautiously worked out in the
ligh' Of science This is best proved by the
fact Dr. Elsholm, the eminent meteorologist,
who WAS in charge Of the Swedish observa-
tory, in ri Pi,zb-rg~n in 1882 and 1883, has
announced he will take part in the expcdi-
ton"