New-York tribune., 1906-04-25
WILL WELLMAN REACH THE PoLEr


The first arctic explorer who has undertaken
! to reach the Pole by means of a self-propelled
airship has just left this country for France.
where his vehicle and outfit will be secured.
The final venture will probably not be made un
Ill the middle or latter part of July-but the
interval is not too long for the completion of the
necessary preparations.
After Mr. Wellman obtains possession Of his
airship the most important step for him 70 take
is TO find out how much it is good for From
Spitzbergen. his base of operations. to his pro-
posed destination the distance Is ten degrees
or six hundred nautical miles To go and return
in safety he must make n voyage twelve hundred
miles in length. 1t is not absolutely essential
OF course. that his flight be continuous, but he
must find out whether the craft will retain Its
buoyancy long enough for round trip. At
least one descent will be necessary-at the Pole
If he ever reaches it-and others will be permis-
sible under conditions which can readily be fore
seen. An ascent can be made from any stopping
place If ballast is discarded. 1t will be neces-
sary, therefore, to carry a sufficient quantity of
this at the outset to enable the airship to rise
again whenever the pilot wishes. No fresh infa-
ton will be feasible along the route How long
the original supply of hydrogen will last, then,
is a matter that must be determined in advance,
with q close approach to precision. Mr.. Well
man must also ascertain how many miles his
store OF gasolene will take him. provided that he
can stay alOft until his tanks are exhausted
These tests. it is announced. will not be made
in Europe Something might be gained in time
by making them there. If any radical defect
were discovered only after Spitzbergen had been
reached the season might be far advanced
that return to Paris for repairs or alterations
would necessarily involve pOstponement for
year. However because OF the difference in the
prevailing temperature in France and in the vi
cinity of the group Of islands from which the
aeronautic expedition will start, Mr.. Wellman
has decided to try his machine only when he has
reached the latter locality. He is wise too. The
desired information could easily be secured by
traverSing a circular course only a mile in diam
eter and in sight of Spitzbergen and his tender.
In view OF the possibility that he may be
obliged to abandon his airship before regaining
his land base. Mr.. Wellman means TO carry with
him two motor sledges with engines which
will serve the purpose OF dog teams. Expert
ments which have recently been made In Nor
way inspire Mr.. Wellman with much confidence
In the utility of this new and additional re-
source. 1t is TO be hoped. however, that he Will
make independent trials of his own when he
reaches Spitzbergen. If motor sledges have thus
far been employed only on ice which covers land
or sheltered inletS, there can he no certainty
about their fitness for the ice pack which covers
the polar sea. Peary can tell Wellman good
many things about the difference between the
two which the Chicago explorer may not already
know.
Wellman's general programme is an excellent
one The Tribune has long been eager TO see
flying machines adopted for geographical re-
search. 1t believes that the time is not far
distant when by their aid the Pole will be
reached. However success does not depend
alone on a fine plan. ThOroughness of execution
is equally essential Whether Mr.. Wellman has
the capacity to meet the second Of these require
nents remains 10 be seen.