Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-13
BY COMDR. GEORGE NJ. DYOTT.


Especial Disratch 10 The Star and North
| American NJ wsnaper Alliance,
NEW YORK. February l3--In plan
ming an expedition to foreign lands 1t
is always easy to fix the date of de-
parture, but 1t is another matter
getting away on schedule. Delays are
bound to occur.
! In the case of my preparations to
hunt for Col. p. H. Fawcett British
explorer. who with his son Jack. and
young Raleigh Rimell of Los Angeles,
! has been missing III the junglcS of
Brazil since May. 1928. the usual set
backs prevented my party leaving on
! time.
Everything is now in readiness and
my band of adventurous spirits. five in
all. will sail from New York this Sat-
urday on the steamship Voltaire,
Within fortnight we shall be in Rio.
capital Of Brazil ready to leave for
the Inferior.
With luck. tho end Of March should
see us in Cuyaba. the scat of local
government in Matte Crosse, and pro-
viding We have no trouble in procuring
mules and bullocks we should be ready
to plunge into the unchartcd wilder
ness by the first Of April.
Problems Requiring Attention.
To many. it might seem easier to
find the proverbial needle in a hay
stack than three specks of white
humanity in 100000 square miles of
UNEMPLOYED tropical greenery. But We
have set ourselves the task and we
must carry it through TO the best of
our ability.
The four men accompanying me are
enthusiastic about the prospects. They
are Jack Whitehead. assistant camera
man: Samuel K Martin. his helper;
the wireless expert. William De Mello
and w. Gerard Martin, jr, operator OF
the portable field set.
One reason for the delay in getting
started was the difficulty IN obtaining
delivery OF the canvas boats. They
had to be specially built 10 meet the
unusual requirements of the expedition
They incorporate many new features.
the result Of my experience last year
on the River of Doubt.
There also has been delay in design
ing and laying out suitable apparatus
for the wireless work. The efficient set
built for portable use was not such
problem as the main station.
Weight an Important Factor.
Weight is the most important factor
to contend with when travelling in the
remote interior of Brazil and it was no
easy task finding a generator and gaso-
line motor not too heavy. yet capable
of supplying power to the large trans
mitter. The engineers had TO do
great deal of experimenting before re-
suits satisfied them. but the delay seems
to have been justified. The completed
set gave splendid results the first time
1t went on the air BY radio. I shall
be able to keep in constant touch with
civilization
The wireless gear is the heaviest
part Of our equipment. though the small
field set is very compact and light. We
are using speciallymade storage
battery for supplying the filament cur
rent. and small motor for charging
the battery. The plate voltage is sup
piled by the usual batteries, put UP in
special groups TO insure long life and
simplicity of handling.
The main wireless station transm!tter
Is heavier instrument. but efficiently
designed with the weight reduced to a
minimum. The power for this set Is
supplied by a small two-cylinder motor
driving an airplane-type generator. The
various accessories pertaining to the
wireless weigh about so pounds.
When We leave Cuyaba We will carry
10 cases of gasoline. each containing 10
gallons Most of this will be left be-
hind when We erect our main station
Only IS gallons will be necessary TO
take into the very remote jungle for OPP
Grating the portable set.
Tra ttau Dro~ss;nos