An astonishing account of an airship voyage to the North Pole

Written in 1911 by American newspaper publisher Walter Wellman, this highly readable account of his polar expeditions to the North pole, his audacious attempt to use an airship to reach the Pole, and then utilizing the same airship (improved) to make the first Atlantic ocean air crossing in 1910. An Hour by hour account of the attempt and subsequent rescue at sea will keep you riveted.

Packed with details and photos; chapters describe the mathematics of propulsion speeds/fuel requirements/weight vs. lift, engine technology, navigation, and the challenges of preparing/outfitting an expedition for polar exploration.

This classic of grand aeronautic adventure is not to be missed by anyone interested in either Arctic exploration or golden era of early airship development.

From the introduction...

"Will you walk with me a while in the paths of adventure? For that is what this book is to deal with—adventures in Polar Ice, far out upon the broad sea, and high up in the air which covers them both. By adventure I mean strange and thrilling experiences which come to one who sets out, not for adventure, not for hardships, not for narrow escapes from death, but with a desire to achieve something in the way of exploration and scientific progress for the good of mankind and the advancement of knowledge; and who, in this spirit endeavoring, experiences more of adventure, danger and hardship, and ill fortune followed by the fair that leaves life intact after hope had almost gone, than he had ever dreamed of—so much, perhaps that if he could have foreseen it all he would never have had the courage to venture forth from the quiet of his home."

Keywords: airship,arctic,expedition,North pole,balloon,hydrogen,transatlantic,crossing