TO THE NORTH POLE BY AIRSHIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2497, 10 May 1909, Page 2

TO THE NORTH POLE BY AIRSHIP.

THE WELLMAN ENTERPRISE

At the International Aero and. Motor Boat Exhibition, London, the huge envelope of the "Wellman airship is hoisted into position,, looking exactly as though the start of the Polar expedition were merely a matter of hours. Even the sledge and dogs were aboard. When the exhibition closes the airship will be packed up and carted away to D arm’s Island in readiness for another attempt td discover tho North Pole.

“We are working out a scientific problem,” said the manager to an interviewer, “with practical mechanical means. We know every difficulty that is likely to occur, and we are taking precautions accordingly. Wo" have not the slightest desire,” he said, laughingly; “to lose our lives in the Arctic regions; and if we thought the danger was greater than trying to cross the Strand in a busy hour we should stay at home. THREE DAYS’ JOURNEY.

“From our starting point the distance is about 700 miles. With favorable conditions we ought to travel to the Pole and back again in three days. "We should come back rather than cross over to Siberia, because we shall all be anxious to get our ship back safe into civilisation in the quickest possible time. Circumstances being favorable our ship should he capable of travelling 2,000 miles. The weather at our base h all that wo could desire —an even temperature of Odeg. Fahrenheit, and sunshine for twentyfours a day. Preparing for my last expedition I worked in my shirtsleeves. Then there arc no houses or other obstacles to interfere with our work. Wo carry provisions for eight months, and with the help of the dogs and sledges with which wo are equipped we should be able to get back to civilisation from the worst possible position into which, we might "be precipitated.” The Wellman airship is not eo large as the Zeppelin airship,-but, according to Mr. Yaniman, it is more than double the size of the Ville de Paris or the Nulli Secundus. It is 182 ft Jong, with a diameter of 52ft. Its petrol tank has a length of 115 ft, and can carry 3 tons. The envelope lias a cubic capacity of 7800 metres, and carries enough gas for forty days. It Avill lift a total weight of 6L tons, including a ton and a half of provisions* eight dogs, three sledges and three men. Food is stared in the “ISouilibrators,” which trail from the balloon. They are .made of chrome leather covered with scales. They are

120 ft Jong. lusidei the envelope are balloonets, into which air may be admitted, with a view to counteracting the contraction and expansion of the main balloon.