Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-29

bearings on the position and resump-
ton Of the journey. While under the
ice it is, Of course, impossible to take
bearings and it would appear possible
that the ship might become so lost as
to run aimlessly until the fuel had
been exhausted. We are assured by
those who know the Arctic that open
spaces are sufficiently close together
to make this possibility negligible.
Ice Boring Machines
But supposing something did go
wrong so that the ship were unable TO
proceed. Then, by special boring ma
chimes located at the top of the boat,
it is possible to drill through fifteen
feet OF ice to obtain a supply of air
for the crew; 1t is also possible to
release a diver from a special COM
partment to set charges to blast the
way to the surface. The terrifying
part of the program, the long dark
ness underneath the impriSoning ice
is in reality not as bad as 1t may
easily be made to look. The length Of
time under the ice will be broken
into relatively short intervals, and in
the event of actual imprisonment, due
to accident or fuel shortage, the ice
can be pierced.
Now let us look at the advantages OF
this form of transportation in the
Arctic. Sir Hubert Wilkins is convinced
that it Is the only form which will en-
able us to make any progress. Why?
Let us proceed to this conclusion by the
elimination process. We can quickly
dispose of ships and dog sleds The
first Is limited to open water and is al
ways in danger of being caught in the
ice. The second is too laborious, slow,
and always in danger of being marooned
Hnn nt.naF
roughness and instability of the surface
rules out its use.
The dirigible offers another possible
made of travel which, however, has as
yet met with no success in Arctic ex-
ploration. While 1t has the advantage
Of being able to hover over any spot
which 1t Is desired to investigate, and
even to land exploring parties, 1t is too
much the subject of the vagueries of
the weather to be either dependable or
safe. It has figured in our worst
Arctic tragedies, beginning with its
forbear-the balloon of Andre. The air
plane must be ruled out because Of its
inability to land on the rough ice. It
| might be used for transarctic travel
were it not for the fact that the slight
est accident means disaster.
Subsurface Highways.
To all of these faults the submarine
is immune. 1t can travel alike in open
or ice-covered water. It can pause for
any kind of inspections which its crew
may care to make. It can make minor
repairs while en- route. And while the
Nautilus will run but four miles an
hour as q safety measure, it is posi-
BILE to exceed greatly this speed in
future submarine travel over the Arctic
The submarine not only offers a means
of further exploring this little known
part of the world, but it offers as well
possible future short cut to the other
side of the world which may eventually
become a regular lane The Nautilus
may blaze a trail which will become
what might be termed a subsurface
highway.
OF course, in analyZing the venture
which Sir Hubert and his men are
about to undertake, there is the pos
sibility that one may make the prof.
any appearance Of bravery. Every ex-
plorer knows that when he has pro-
yided against every possible emergency
which may occur to the imagination,
that there are still circumstances i'm
possible to foresee, which may bring
disaster to the most brilliantly planned
expedition. It is the duty of the ex-
plorer to provide against every emery
ency that can be foreseen and then
to rely upon his skill and experience,
and that of his men, to carry through
any emergency that they may en-
counter. That there may be plenty of
dangers lurking beneath the ice of
the frozen North there can be no
doubt. Sir Hubert and his men think
they are prepared to meet them, as
they undoubtedly are. But, however
well prepared they may be, the voyage
Is none the less not one for any but
the non-hearted.