New-York tribune., 1916-11-28
Explorer Plans to Study
Air and Water Currents
for Weather Tables
VISITS u. S., HE SAYS,
TO MAKE UP PARTY
Expects to Sail in 1918, and
Will Use Aircraft When
Ice Blocks Path

Captain Roald Amundsen. discoverer
Of the South Pole and navigator OF the
Northwest Passage, arrived yesterday
on the Frederick VIII, and told OF his
plan to fly over the North Pole in a
specially constructed seroplane.
Captain Amundsen said that he ex-
pected TO make observations Of the
ocean and air currents at the pole
which would aid in weather prognosti-
cations.
"If the scientists of the world have
the necessary data regarding the move
ments of the waters and airs at one of
the earth's axes they will be enabled to
compile many much needed figures"
Expects to Start in 1918
The expedition, which may not get
away until the spring of 1918, due to
the slowness of completion OF Captain
Amundsen's ship owing to the war or
ders which the Norwegian shipyards
are completing, will be composed OF
many leading scientists, both here and
abroad.
CAPTAIN Amundsen said that the per-
sonnel of his party had not yet been
decided upon, and it was largely for
that reason he had come to America, as
America had furnished so many men
for polar scientific and research work.
He expects to purchase two large aero
planes, probably of different makes,
and a large supply of provisions, sui
fcient to last two years. Inc aero
planes and provisions will be pur-
chased here owing to the scarcity IN
Europe caused by the war.
During the July following the com
pletion Of his ship Captain Amundse,nl
will proceed as far as the ice hoes VIII
permit, and he hopes 10 be carried stili
further by the polar currents. AS soon
as his progress is halted he intends TO
use aeroplanes to fly over the pole.
Depends on Aeroplane
az believe that the aeroplane will
solve many difficulties Of polar eXplora-
ton work, especially since the aircraft
has attained such high state OF per
lection. Ii is now possible to cover
200 Kilometres an hour, where formerly
IL took two weeks to cover the same
distance with slow dog sledges. be-
lieve that | am the pioneer to use an
aeroplane for polar exploration, but |
am not deferred in my resolve, espe-
cially since | have recently obtained
military aviator's license"
While in New York Captain Amund-
sen expects to confer with Orvlile
Wright and Glen Curtiss regarding the
best type of American aeroplane Tor
polar work. He expects to go to chi,
cago to buy large quantities OF canned
meats before returning to Norway
Captain Amundsen's plan to use
aeroplanes as a means of reaching the
North Pole received the highest COM
mendation in aeronautical circles yes
terday. D..
that has been considered Tor some
time. Not having been tried one can
not tell to what extent planes might
be used. But it would seem appareMnt M
that for scouting purposes at ieasI Uhey
would be of great value
Ruth Law Praises Plan
Ruth Law feels sure that the ex-
plorer's plan is practicable.
'T have risen from and landed on ice
and snow" she said. 81 do not believe
there would be any difficulty II the
plane were forced TO descenGG Inc
cold would not affect propellers as
much As heat does. And the aviator
would, | believe, not suffer any more
from cold than he does when flying IN
n more temperate zone. Even at that
Il would be possible to construct an
inclosed machine with the cabin hested
bv the exhaust Of the engine, but ! 90
not believe it would be necessary.
Henry Woodhouse commented on 'he
usefulness of the aeropiane ior epot-
ting members of the exploring party
tba, might be separated from the man
camp and lost. Dark objects sgsins'
the white snow background would De
easily visible to n flyer, and assistance
could be brought by air route more
quickly than by any other means.
A number OF aeronauticai experts
spoke of possible engine diihcuitiles
Yet they were all of the opinion tns'
experimentation would solve any prop
lens that might arise, just as the pro
heller problem at the border had peeh
solved