The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-06
.WELLMAN TO GO
AFTER POLE AUG. |
Explorer Starts for spitzbergen,
Whence He Will Take
Flight for Goal.

- H. - F r. g. .-&-
Tromsoe, Norway, July 6.-The Well
man Chicago Record Herald Arctic ex-
petition sailed yesterday on the
steamer Frithjof for Spitzbergen. The
steamer King Hedge, sailing today, will
carry material for gas making and for
dwellings. Mr.. Wellman is on the
Frithjof with his principal assistants.
He hopes to make his first wireless test
in about fortnight. The people here
gave the expedition hearty send-of.
Tromsoe is the last of the cable sta
tions in the far north, and is distant
about 1000 miles from the north pole.
In order that he may keep in communi-
cation with the outside world during
the period of his outftting at Danes
island and also when he undertakes
his aerial flight to the pole, Mr.. Well
man has established wireless telegraph
station at Dane IS island, one at Ham
merfest and third at Tromsoe
And when the great airship is ready
for it's journey to the land which has
thus far baffled the efforts. of explorers
it will have installed wireless outfit
which will enable the expedition to
keep in touch with the outside world
during the entire progress.
The Airship.
When the airship which is to bear
Mr.. Wellman and his companions to the
north from Dane island is ready for
flight it will be the largest and most
scientific vehicle of it's character ever
constructed or even attempted The
balloon part of the ship is over 1854
feet in length, and it's greatest diameter
5212 feet. Its surface is 21,O9S square
feet, capable of containing 224,225
cubic feet of gas, with a lifting power
OF 10000 pounds.
The car to be attached to the balloon
is constructed entirely Of steel tubing
and is 50 l-3 feet long. It contains
the engine-room and cabin for the
crew, while attached to it will be the
great basket carrying the gasolene fuel
for the motors There are three of
these; the first of seventy horsepower,
the second of twenty-five horsepower
and the third of five horsepower. The
large motors will drive the two pro-
| ranging from 10 to 10 miles an hour.
The Exploring Party.
When the assembling and testing
operations have been completed in the
great shed at Spitzbergen the five men
who are to make the perilous tri will
step aboard and the ship will be point
ed toward It's final destination. These
men are: Walter Wellman, Major
Herzey, representing the national gov
eminent and the Geographic society;
CASTOR Hervieu, a celebrated French
aeronaut; M. J. Smith, wireless expert,
and Paul Colardeau, in charge of the
motors.
Three men will be constantly on duty
during the flight to the pole-which it
is now calculated will consume 100
hours time-one on the navigation deck
to handle the rudder and watch the
instruments, one in the engine-room
and one to work the windlass operating
the guide rope and drag anchor Three
or four hours day sleep will be as
much as any man will secure.
Will Start Aug. 1.
| It is the expectation Of Mr.. Wellman
that preparations for the final rise of
the airship will be completed by the
LIST of August and that he will be on
his way to the farthest north by the
middle of that month
BY the LIST of September he hopes
to be able to report the success of his
daring expedition and offer to scien-
fists, and the public information con-
corning the great frozen country which
has held the attention of adventurous
and scientific men for centuries.