Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-09-27
Contraction and Expansion
of Ships Giant Envelope
Would Wreck Framework
Contend Navy Scientists
BY CHARLES p. STEWART

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26.-At the
north pole and whereabouts the sum-
mer temperature on one side OF a
mans face may be up to 80 and on
the other side below freezing.
One of his cheeks may be wet with
perspiration while icicles gather in
his beard on the other one.
The sunny side of his nose may
burn until it blisters, at the same
time the shady side is being frost
bitten.
Ditto at the south pole.
This is no joke or exaggeration.
It's mentioned in the records of
many explorers.
The summer suns rays are most
intense at and around both poles.
But out of the sun-in shady places
the cold is equally intense.
Flight Was Postponed
This fact, though known, never
was appreciated at it's full value I'M
til the idea was advanced of sending
the navy dirigible Shenandoah on a
flight across the north pole.
Naval officers liked this sugges-
ton. The flight undoubtedly would
have been undertaken-and in all
probability that would have been the
last of the ShenandOah-if somebody
had not happened to raise the point
of the contraction of the airships
framework that might fairly be ex-
pected in the cold Of the arctic re-
gions.
Then it came out that, in all like
lihOOd, it wouldn't be contraction
alone the explorers would have to
reckon with-at the same time one
side was contracting, the other side
might be expanding.
That sort of thing, it was recog-
nized, would be apt to rack the
Shenandoah to pieces.
Another thing, it developed that
the material of the ships cover
hardens and becomes brittle in ex-
treme cold. Obviously this wasn't
going to do, either.
That's why the trip hasn't been
undertaken yet.
Experts Studying
1t hasn't been abandoned, how
ever. Experts are calculating now
just what structural notifications
must be made in the vessels frame
work to enable it to withstand the
peculiar climatic conditions it must
experience. They are experimenting
with various sorts of material for a
dependable envelope.
The problem is an intricate one,
but entire confidence is expressed by
the navy department that satisfac-
tory answer will be found
Naval officers are not the only
on interested in the flight. Mete-
biologists believe its results may be
very valuable
There appears to be an alternate
extension and shrinkage Of the north
polar ice and some scientists believe
there are even times when the polar
sea actually is open. They surmise,
too, that there is a certain amount
of periodicity in these changes, and
If this can be established it may have
an important bearing on future
weather calculations.
Enthusiasts are hopeful that with
IN few years, at least semi-annual
flights across the north pole will be
made for observation purposes.
The next thing, hints the navy de-
Dartment, will be adjustment Of A
similar system of flights across the
south pole.
This will be more difficult than
the northern flights, both because
the distance from base to base will
be much greater and because the
flying will have to be considerable
higher, due to the altitude Of parts
of the antarctic continent