New Britain herald., 1926-05-10

in it. We will stop al the first spot on Peary Land that promises good skiing for the plane"
 After depositing a thousand pounds of gasoline, food and other supplies, he planned to return 10 Kings Bay and bring another load before starting the attempted flights to and around the pole.
 100 Miles to Pole
 Prom our projected base in Peary Land it is approximately 40o miles to the pole" he stated. If we reach the vicinity of the pole, our instruments will enable us to determine while in flight, our loca- ton within a margin of twenty miles.
 ITO make sure that we have reached and passed the pole, we will make q wide circle around it, This circle will be less than 100 miles in distance, but it will be complete circumnavigation of the globe"
 If suitable landing place near ] inc pole was noted, Byrd said he would land before flying back to ! the base.
 Next we probably will under take one northwestward flight of not more thar 4@5 miles in search of unknown land" he said. After that we probably will have to re- turn at once 10 Kings Bay. It would be highly dangerous to con tinue flying much after May 15 on account of the fog"
 His expedition was described as : the best equipped ever sent 10 the polar regions. Two thrce-engine 1 Foltllor planes were stored away ! in the Chantier, the extra one for ! use in case Of an accident 10 the first. Other supplies and equip ment were assembled after much study and review of experiences ol other arctic explorers. Fifty-fyc . persons were listed as members Of the expedition.
 Wandcrlust Victim
 Wander1ust laid hold upon Byrd 1 early in life, but instead of becom- ing it's slave he so controlled and 1 directed himself that his great am 1 bition was achieved an airplane expedition to the north pole. i The same rare gift of persuasion which won Edsel Ford, John D. 1 Rockefeller Jr., and others to sup port of his polar flight gained ! notable decision back in 1901. 1 As a lad of twelve, Byrd wanted 10 make a trip around the world by himself and his arguments to q mother at first unwilling to grant permission proved successful. Start ing from Richmond, Va, city founded by his forafathers-Byrd went overland to san Francisco, where he caught q steamer for the Philippines. Then he traveled on coasting vessels from one Asiatic port 10 another.
 After the European journey, he crossed on q liner to New York, where, as the youngest uncscorted globe-trotter in the world, he was . interviewed by no less than fifteen 1 reporters.
 There were the tales of arctic explorations 10 excite his interest and h. determined when fifteen years old to make an effort to dis cover the north pole. Four years later, however, the youth while a student at the naval academy, re- criyod hard blow -- Peary reach. d the north pole.
 Wa, Undismaycd Tndismaycd. Byrd refused 10 give dp his hopes 10 explore the Arctic. To the aulacity. solf-roliance and sporting spirit which marked his "trip around the world, ho added science, technical skill, experience and important service 10 his coun- try which fitted him for the self appointed task.
 The sporting spirit had behind it serious purpose. He wrote in the New York Times shortly before set ting out on his expedition;
 "The sporting element appeals strongly to me, hut l am also deep Iv interested in proving tjat the airplanr can do inc job. want 10 soe it done for the prestige of air craft I believe that if we are snc- ccssml in making flights even from Spitzbergrn to Pcary Land and back, much good will result from inc con scquont awakening of the public 10 the vast possibilities of the air pIann."