The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-10-12

rises. The equilibrator is heavy, but
1t will float. Therefore when the di-
rigible sinks toward the water success
sive links of the equilibrator rest on
the surface and with the weight thus
relieved the balloon rises. When the
gas again expands the equilibrator
is raised and it's weight overcomes
the increased bouyancy, thus main
tanning the desired level, which is to
be between $50 and $50 feet above
the sea. The equilibrator is regarded
as one of the most useful and i'm
portant parts Of the airship.
Few Americans appreciate the ac>
complishments of Walter Wellman as
an explorer on land and sea, because
Of lack of knowledge of his achieve
ments. It is not generally known that,
in 1909. Wellman's airship America"
sailing from Spitzbergen, made a most
wonderful start toward the North Pole.
The ship was in the air seven hours,
going north at the rate of twenty miles
an hour. Wellman for that trip de-
vised the "equilibrator," the members
of the crew giving it a shorter and
easier name, SNAKE When about
seventy-nine miles away from Spitz-
bergen this SNAKE" thought to be the
safest part Of the whole craft, tore
loose and the journey to the Pole had
to be abandoned.
Peary's discovery of the North Pole
caused Wellman to abandon the quest
Also his experience with the snake
had convinced him on two points:
First, that his equilibrator theory had
proven good in practice; second, that
it would work better on water than
on land. He determined to cross the
Atlantic Ocean.
The America" as prepared for this
Atlantic Ocean voyage, is an enlarged
edition of the dirigible in which Mr..
Wellman twice attempted to reach the
pole. 1t is built on exactly the same
principle but has almost twice the lift
ing power. It can carry load of -
tons, and as equipped for the voyage
will bear the burden of the $500
pound steel car, 5000 pounds Of en-
gines, life boat, supplies, and crew,
10000 pounds of gasoline and lubri-
Gator
The car, built of light steel, is won
derfully strong. Its back bone is a
large steel tank and carries the main
supply OF gasoline in Is compartments,
each of which may be tapped separ
ately. Besides the engines, the car
carries the supplies, instruments, a
life boat and quarters for the crew.
1t is attached to the balloon in a
way that leaves the gas bag perfectly
smooth and non-resistant The bag
itself is made of several layers Of
silk and cotton, thoroughly impreg-
mated with rubber and vanished out.
side. It Is 50 feet in diameter. with
a capacity of $4,000 cubic feet Of
gas An air pump keeps the gas bag
in shape by pumping air into bal
loonets of separate compartments
within the bag to replace the leakage
Of hydrogen. This leakage. less than
one per cent per day. of course,
affects the lifting power but the cor
sumption Of gasoline and supplies will
tighten the airship faster Jnan the lift
ing power diminishes.
The wireless apparatus has been SO
planned as to obviate all danger of
sparks igniting either the gasoline
supply or the balloon. For its size
it is a marvellous powerful plant and
it is believed by Mr.. Wellman that
with it he can keep in constant touch
with ships and thus with land. Bulle-
tins are to be sent as often as pos
sible.
Hampton's Magazine has paid Mr..
Wellman a substantial retainer and
will pay him a much larger sum in
the event of sue essful trip across
the ocean Anyhow, that magazine
| will publish his complete account OF