The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1906-05-19
TO POLE BY AIRSHIP.
DASH WILL BE MADE BY NOTED
EXPLORER.
Particulars Of the Daring Venture in
Contemplation-Craft to Be
Employed-Prospects
of Success.

Mr.. Walter Wellman, that notable
explorer and journalist who has twice
gone to the Arctic region In attempts
to reach the north pole, expects to
start from Spritzbergen the first OF
August on third expedition, which
will travel through the air in the
largest dirigible balloon ever built.
The envelope of the balloon is being
constructed by Louis Goddard, of Par
Is. II Is to consist of two layers of
rubber covered cotton and one layer
the inside one-of rubber-covered silk.
In its central zone, which Is the
strongest the envelope Is to have a
tensile strength of $500 kilogrammes
per square meter (about 575 pounds
per square FOOT thus giving a factor
of safety of to 1. The average fac
tor of safety is five to one, as against
3k to one of the Lebaudy airship. The
form of the balloon is to be main
tanned by an interior ballonette filled
with compressed air by means of a
five -horse power motor and compress
or. On account of the triple rubber
layers (Which are Tapped one inch at
the seams and sewed together, and the
stitching then covered with cemented
strips) the leakage of gas Is guaran-
teed not to exceed ~ per cent. per
day. The amount of fuel and supplies
consumed daily will more than coun-
terbalance this. The length of the gas
bag will be so meters C164.04 feet; Its
lreatest diameter, 16 meters (54.40;
it, surface, 1860 square meters (21,-
09s square feeD; It's capacity, $3.50
cubic meters (224,244 cubic feeD and
Its lifting power with gas having a
lifting power of 1,130 grammes per
cubic meter 7,240 kilogrammes, or 49,
900 pounds. The weight Of the balloon
Is 1850 pounds, while the framework,
steel car, motors, and all other para
phernalia bring this up to a total OF
1900 pounds. This leaves an avail
able lifting power of $500 pounds for
the crew of FIVE men, three or -four
motor sledges, a metallic boat, and all
supplies. says the Scientific American.
The airship is to have two four
cylinder water-cooled gasoline motors
of 55 and 25 horse power. The larger
motor drives forward propeller
smaller one propeller at the rear In
the same manner. A speed Of Is miles
an hour will be obtainable with the
55-horse power motor, and 10 miles ar
hour with both. The total distance tC
be covered Is about 1900 miles, while
the $500 pounds of gasoline to be car
ried should drive the airship nearly
ficient for 140-hour run Of the MAR
motor.
Should one motor break down be
yond repair, the travellers can use thu
other one; and II the airship gives ou
from any cause, the travellers can TAX,
to the sledges. A wireless telegraph
outfit is to be taken along, so tina
communication can be maintained
with the base as long as possible.
At meeting of the New York Mo
tor club on March %, Mr.. Wellman ex
planned fully his plans for the trip
and showed how he has tried to pro
vide for every contingency. The air
ship is to be transported to Spitzber
gen. inflated there, and experimental
with during the month of July. 1
everything works satisfactorily tn,
dash will be made In August and pro
visions will be carried sufficient for n
days. Everything has been so care
fully planned by Mr.. Wellman. wht
has an intimate knowledge OF what Il
required, that the expedition through
the air. n not altogether successful
bids fair to be by no means . disma
failure.