Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-08-14
Mr.. Wellman's DUN VielDs.

1t is interesting to note that in the,
gossipy discussions of the venture by
men who pretend to know nothing Of
aeronautics nor the polar regions, the
two objections most often urged are
the two which caused Mr.. Wellman
and his associates in the construction
and QUILTING Of the ship the most per-
plexity. The manner in which he pro-
poses TO overcome one of these dangers
that from fast, adverse winds-has
been explained by Mr.. Wellman, thus:
Eve have already explained how we
hope to make progress with our air.
ship by means of our motors and
screws when the winds are favorable
in direction, and also when they are
unfayorable, but not OF too great We
locity. What are we going to do when
they blow adversely and also too
strongly to permit us to advance with
the motors?
"This brings us to one of the funda-
mental features Of the method which
we have adopted. 1t is this:
81. With favorable winds or unfa-
yorable winds Of relatively small We
locities-motor at a proper speed of
from ten to II geographical miles per
hour, with 10 miles per hour as per-
haps the mean speed.
20. With unfavorable winds OF high
er velocities stop the motors and
throw out upon the ice sheet over
which we are sailing dragging an
Choir or retardateur device calculat-
ed to offer the maximum of resistance
IN proportion to its weight-and by
this means to drift slowly with the adj
verse wind.
Assuming that this method works
out as we'll in practice as In theory
and there are many reasons for believ-
ing that it will do SO to at least a fair
degree-we have then this principle:
Il. That the winds that blow with
our course, directly or obliquely, add
their movements to the advance which
we expect to make with our motors
and help us so much on our way.
y. But contrary winds Of velocities
greater than our motor speed, or SO
great that motoring against them
would be an uneconomical use Of fuel
are not losses to be deducted at full
value from the progress of the air
ship, because the influence Of such
winds is largely neutralized by the &C
ton Of the dragging anchor or re.
tardateur.
I'm other words, all OF the value o.
favorable winds is placed on the credit
side OF our ledger or log, while only
a part OF the value Of the unfavorabl.
winds has to be written down on the
| debit side.
"And the Significance Of this, In the
last analysis. is that 1t will require {
most extraordinary combination Of
circumstances to prevent us gettins
more help than hindrancs from tht
winds"
The expedition is distinctly Ameri
| can, for all the mechanical aid tha
foreign countries have given In tn,
| preparations. and for the deep interes
they are taking In the project. It IL a,
American journalist, backed by a,
American newspaper. to whom credi
ID due for the bold and intelligent con
ception. It Is typically American tina
all Of science and the arts that othe
nations had to offer has been mar
shaled under the American flag for tn
aerial journey Into the unknown
north. The giant airship has beel
clIristened the America" and, II tn
next few weeks shall demonstrate tina
the plans Of Nh. Wellman were vel
founded and the explorer shall sal
triumphantly to the pole, the first &C
will be the dropping Of the America,
Stars and Stripes over the spot whicl
has lured nearly . thousand brave me
to their deaths.