The San Francisco call., 1907-01-18
TH|RTY-S|x HOURS
To NORTH POLE
BY A|RSH|P
Major Hersey, U. s. Wealth
er Bureau Inspector, Will
Join Aerial Expedition
OFFICIAL VISIT
TO THIS STATION

ssWithout accidents. we hope to reach
the north pole in thirty-six hours from
Spitzbergen, Norway, and, If land is
the northern extremity of the esrth's
axis, which has been the goal of ex-
plorers for 200 years. Our airship Will
be launched for its trial trips IN the
spring, and the voyage to the pole Is
set for next summer. There will be
five in the party, and there II every
prospect of success
With eyes sparkling and manner con-
fident, Major H. q. Hersey, United
States Weather Bureau Inspector. who
arrived yesterday at the Majestic Hotel.
described the plans of the Wellman
Arctic expedition, which will take the
aerial route to the pole. and of which
he will be the second in command. Ma
jor Hersey is here on his annual tour
of inspection. having visited the wealth
er bureaus of the Northwest. He will
soon leave for the south to complete
his work on this coast.
In speaking of the preparations for
the trip to the pole Major Hersey said
that headquarters for the expedition
were established on Spitzbergen islands
last year Supplies were brought 20
the uninhabited islands from France
and Norway, machine shops and balloon
sheds have been built and a stanch
Arctic ice vessel purchased as tender
for the airship.
Five men will sail in the airship.
Walter Wellman, war correspondent
and journalist, will be in charge of the
expedition. Major Hersey second in
command, Felix Rosenberg, a navi-
gator on the Pacific Coast will make a
third, and the other two will be chosen
from the force now working at Spitz-
bergen.
The ship is a dirgible balloon. with
a bag 165 feet long and a car 100
feet long The lifting power is $4,000
pounds The airship will be equipped
with power to drive her for fifteen
days, but under ordinary conditions 1t
will take but thirty-six hours to make
the trip. The airship is now on the
way to Norway and Major Hersey will
join the expedition in the spring in
time for the early trials.
Referring to his inspection trip 20
San Francisco, Major Hersey paid
compliment to Professor McAdie of the
local weather bureau for not removing
the bureau to Sacramento or Los An
geles, as he had a right to do. He
praised Professor McAdie's loyalty in
holding the Office here in the face of
adverse condition when he could have
worked unhampered in another city and
merely left an assistant here to make
the necessary records. Extra allow
ance of expense money for the local
bureau will be recommended to Wash
ington in Inspector Hersey's report.
Major Hersey held a commission
under Colonel Roosevelt in the Rough
Riders and after the Spanish War en-
tered the Weather Bureau service. He
has made a special study of aeronau-
tics and while in France as navigator
for Lieutenant Frank P. Lain was
instrumental in winning for America
the international cup given by James
Gordon Bennett for balloon races.
Lieutenant Lain. who, while on Gov
ernment work in France, became inter
ested in balloon aScensions. entered as
the American contestant for the cup.
At the last moment his French navi-
gator withdrew and Major Hersey vol
unteered to guide the car. His knowl-
edge OF atmospheric conditions en-
abled the American balloon to cross
the English channel, sail over England
and land near the Scottish line, fifty
miles beyond the nearest competitor,
an Italian. OF the twelve starters in
the race but three dared cross the
English Channel, the third being an
Englishman.