The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1906-07-19
TO POLE BY AIRSHIP.
DASH WILL BE MADE BY NOTED
EXPLORER.
Particulars of the Daring Venture in
Contemplation-Cra 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 1t is to consist of two layers of
undiscovered cotton and one layer
the inside One-Of rubber-cOvered silk.
In its central zone, which is the
strongest, the envelope is to have
tensile strength of $500 kilogrammes
per square meter (about 575 pounds
per square FOOT thus giving a factor
of safety of 6 to /. The average fac
tor OF safety is five to one, as against
312 to one of the Lebaudy airShip. The
form CT the balloon is to be main
taircl by an interior ballonette filled
with compressed air by means of
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 11a 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 Q6404 feet; its
greatest diameter, 16 meters (5449;
its surface, 1850 square meters (21,-
09S square feeD; it's capacity, $3.50
cubic meters (224,24 cubic feet; and
it's lifting power with gas having a
lifting power of 1,130 grammes per
cubic meter) 7,240 kilogrammes, or 16,-
600 pounds. The weight of the balloon
is 2,S6O pounds, while the framework,
steel car, motors, and all other para
phernalia bring this up to a total Of
800 pounds. This leaves an avail
able lifting power of $500 pounds for
the crew of five men, three or four
motor sIedges, 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 a forward propeller
through reduction gearing, and the
smaller one a 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 an
hour with both. The total distance to
be covered is about ] 200 miles, while
the $500 pounds of gasoline to be car
ried should drive the airship nearly
twice this distance. This fuel is SUI
ficient for a 140-hour run of the main
motor.
Should one motor break down be-
yond repair, the travellers can use the
other one; and if the airship gives out
from any cause, the travellers can take
to the sledges. A wireless telegraph
outfit is to be taken along, so that
communication can be maintained
with the base as long as possible.
At meeting of the New York Mo-
tor club On March 23. 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 If
everything works satisfactorily the
dash will be made in August and pro-
visions will be carried sufficient for Is
days. Everything has been so care
fully planned by Mr. Wellman, who
has an intimate knowledge of what is
required, that the expedition through
the air, if not altogether successful,
bids fair to be by no means a dismal
failure.