The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-14
SOAR OVER THE ALPS.
Swiss Scientists VIII Try To Cross the
Great Mountains i'm "A Balloon.

WASHINGTON. July h special.--An
interesting attempt m behalf OF science
viii be made this summer By Captain c.
SpeHeilhi 10 cross lhe nigh Alps or swift
erdha IN balloon. for the purpose Of
making meteorological and geographical
observations. says cOnsui-Oentrai Du
Bois. writing from 81. Call The Swiss
weather Bureau and many Swiss scien-
tsts are Interested in the venture. II
successful. Il Will be the FIRST air ship
that has ever crossed the high Alps
The principal parts of The balloon have
already been constructed in the factory
of George Hasacon. at Paris. and the
basket, network, and other features arc
being perfected a. rapidly AZ possible.
The dimensions of tho balloon are as fol-
lows. Diameter 1871 meters - l3 yards),
circumference 3T.Sl meters % yards).
contents 3.26S cubic meters 0t5.ti46t
cubic feet. or 42f4.bl cubic YARDS. sur
face. l,o65 quadrat meters u,@l3I - square
yards) weight Of balloon, basket and
network, about 202O pounds, carrying
power. !, co. pounds.
The movement OF the balloon is 10 ha
ascertained by typographical and baro-
metricai observations one reglsieflns
anerOid barometer and one controlling
quicksilver barometer Will be used Tor
This purpose. AZ the time ~ the journey
frequent observations are 20 be mace az
the Swiss meteorological stations, ana ~
this plan the cO-eXistlng dluerence or ""
direction and rapidity Of the wind IN we
various high strata OF air are hopeu Y" ~
a
made from the air ship as 20 the humlQl-
ty and temperature, as wei as Ia the
color phenomena OF the almosphot'f
strata of vapOr formation OF CLOUDS. elS'
one of the most important and interest
ing results expected Is the photographlns
OF mountains from the balloon. inc point
of view from which these photosiapNs
must be taken I'm order 20 be OF me great
est use for cartography, geography Seoi-
ogv. as well as for best execution, has
been carefully planned, ana lmpol laiN
results are confidently expected, Lue
science Of photography Is also 90 oe usel
Inn the study of the formation OF VaDof
and clouds i'm high Alpine attitudes
The question OF from which point ana
i'm which direction the aerial Journey
shall be made has been thoroughly SUI
| died hv some OF the best-known swiss
| soioutfsts Government mcfeorolokisi i
stationed az the highest possible alutudes
I'm Switzerland claim that 10 Is imposs,-
/ bic FOR a balloon 20 san over lhe Nlt
Alps from north % south or from south
| to north. because the south winds are nov
strong enough 10 reach the higher ayr
| currents and the strong north Wlhe1
| arc so rare that no dependence can %
The NE preyauing wind I'm the high Alps is
| from tho southwest. and captain opel.t-
| rinl claims that. I'm nearly al or hlp
! aerial expeditions IN Switzerland, ne mas
/ Ioet, driven northeast when ever he pass
| "a an altitude OF 10 600 feet BY TINS
! experience hc is satisfied that py aseoii,-
| inc i'm Lugau0 he would as soon AZ ne
! bad reached the altitude of 10000 Fee,
/ be driven into the Tyrol Mountains it
/ has. therefore. been decided that ne snait
! make the ascension et Slltth' pm tn-
/ canton ~ Wallis. whence. after reaching
an altitude sufficient he expects 10 Be
! driven over the Finsteraar group. the
| Timer and Glarner Alps toward the pber
! Rhine Valley. between Sargans ana Lake
The length OF this Journey would be
| obout 13O miles and. n the wind Is AZ the
| ner second the Journey will be made IN
| about eight hours.