Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1891 — By Balloon to the North Poles. [ARTICLE]

By Balloon to the North Poles.

Two members of the Paris College of Aeriel Navigation—M, Besancon, aeronaut, and M. Hermite, astronomer —propoeeseriously toreaehtheNorth Pole by means of a balloon, and have' explained to their colleagues the means by which they hope to succeed in their, object The balloon in which they are to travel will be made of two thicknesses of Chinese silk, and impenetrable varnish, will hold about 45,000 cubic feet of pure hydrogen gas and carry a weight of over 8,000 pounds. They will also take with them four small pilot balloons, which will be sent up from the North Pole—should they ever reach that much-longed-for spot—to test the air currents prevailing there, and four huge bags of hydrogen gas, to replenish the large balloon, should waste occur. The car in which the aeronauts will have to live will be coated with thin steel, and will contain in addition to its human occupants and their scientific Instruments, elghto dogs and a sleigh, a small unskinabie canoe, and provisions for a month. In order that the balloon may be kept at a regular distance from the earth, it will be furnished with a heavy rope and anchor, to drag along the surface either of ice or water. The intention is to equip two vessels at a French port and sail to Spitsbergen, There tbe hydrogen gas will be manufaot ured and the great balloon and its satellite inflated, the aeronauts starting on their voyage of discovery with the first favorable wind. They expect to be be about ten days in the air, and to be able to take photograph and scientific observations. Where they will descend they have no idea; but if all goes well they hope to reach some civilized point either in North America or western Asia. The duration of the expidition from France and back is estimated at six months, and the cost is put down at nearly £23, *OO, the larger part of which goes for the hire and equipment of the two vessels at Spitzbergen. This will be mainly defrayed by the aeronauts themselves, assisted by subsidies they hope to receive from both English and French scientific societies. This start will not be ‘made untill May, 18v2, the interval being ddvoted to experiments to as« certain how long it is possible to remain in a balloon without descending. The project is attracting much attane tion in scientific circle*.