Evening star., 1925-05-22


landing can prevent the flyers reach
ing their goal. The polar experts on
the farm say the ideal weather that
marked the hop-off continued at mid
night last night. The atmosphere
had the brilliance of 5 o'clock in the
afternoon on a clear May day in the
lower latitudes.
Hop-On Superb.
The hop-off of the two great
Dornier Wal flying boats was superb.
The N-24 and N-25 pulled themselves
up from the ice with load of we'll
over 5000 pounds each. probably a
new world record for airplanes
An examination of the tracks left by
the planes on the snow showed each
ran about a mile across the ice.
During the first quarter of the way
the planes broke through the ice
sheet to the depth of 10 inches. AS
they gained momentum they TAXED
more lightly.
The entire getaway was carried off
without a hitch. To the onlookers,
however. the suspense was SO acute
that the cheers that went up as the
planes took the air was almost hys-
terical. During the first hour after
the departure most of us expected
the planes to return. When they did
not we knew that the long planned
dash for the top of the world was a
reality.
Leaders Instructions Clear.
Wind, weather and atmosphere were
auspicious. The pilots declared flying
conditions were as good as could be
expected at any time in this latitude.
The meteorologists, from a study of
their intricate charts and observations,
predicted three days of fairly steady
weather.
But Amundsen, with the caution of
his veteran experience, was not en-
tirely satisfied. Perhaps this will
prove only a practice flight" he said
manned beside.
His instructions were clear. I'VE
shall fly northward along the coast to
Danes Island" he said. Then to
Amsterdam Island. At the end Of one
hours flying, we shall know whether
everything is exactly as it should be
and If all is well, we shall then turn
straight to the pole. But If everything
is not satisfactory, we shall return to
Kings Bay or land at Danes Island
awaiting there the arrival of the
Ships.p
Weather Report.
Prof. B. Jerkness, chief meteorolo
gist, gave the following report on the
weather at the zero hour Of the planes
departure:
There is high atmospheric pressure
over the Loar Basin; our stable obser
walton balloons indicate light east to
southeasterly winds up to height OF
1900 meters; light northeas asterly winds
between !, 500 and 5000 meters. These
winds have swept away all local
storms and we can apparently depend
on clear weather north Of the Spitz
bergen polar ice. We cannot expect
better conditions than now prevailing.
If the planes lose contact during
their northward flight Amundsen's in
structions are that his second plane
No. "a, shall continue. under the com
mand of Lieut.. Dietrichson, who has
been formally authorized in the name
of his majesty, the King of Norway
to take possession of any land eventu
ally discovered. Amundsen's own Off
cial authority is derived from a tele
gram from the Norwegian prime
minister, M. Mowinskel. A few
minutes before the take-off Amund
sen received another telegram from
Premier Mowinckel wishing him
"Good.by and God speed" in the
name of the entire Norwegian nation
The expeditions steamship Hobby
left Kings Bay few hours before
the hop.off, and was already beyond
the island ice belt when the planes
left the surface. Both this ship and
her sister boat, the Farm, will head
straight up the coast, with Danes
Island as their destination, ready for
emergency service in any eventuality
Amundsen's Statement.
Before the hop-off Capt. Amundser
issued the following statement:
Though our equipment has beer
pared to a minimum to enable our
planes to carry enough fuel for 2(
or more flying hours, we are, never.
theless, carrying a novel and interest
ing assortment of luggage. The guam
uty of our personal clothing probably
sets a record for an aerial expedition
Almost every article was made eX