Northwest History. Alaska. Explorers, Exploration & Discoveries.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1926
• Subjects: snow motors; plane; Fairbanks; Alaska; Point Barrow; Wilkins transpolar expedition; A. Malcolm Smith; Nenana; Anchorage; Nome; Captain George Hubert Wilkins; dog driver; Leonard Seppalla; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Alaska Point; Arctic; Pacific; Wilkins; Barrow
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/91099

Flyers To Drop Snow Motors: Alaska Snow, Gravel And Ice Too Much -- Will Move Supplies By Plane. FLYERS TO DROP SNOW MOTORS Alaska Snow, Gravel and Ice Too Much—Will Move Supplies by Plane. FAIRBANKS, Alaska, Jan. 29. (/P) -- Abandonment of snow motors and the use of airplanes to transport supplies to Point Barrow for the Wilkins transpolar expedtion, was strongly indicated here today. A. Malcolm Smith, head of the supply party, which left today for Nenana, was said to be seriously considering abandoning the anow motors after conference with representatives of the Alaska road commission. The commission had declared the machines a failure after a 58-mile test here. It was pointed out that snow in northern Alaska, which is very dry, does not give the motors traction. The machines would also be exposed to gravel, ice and overflows, which are all barriers to the machines. Grades to be surmounted on the route were also said to be greater than anticipated, and fuel and oil is expected to exceed two or three times that first estimated. Famed Dog Driver Will Help. ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 29. (/P) --Leonard Seppalla, thrice victor in dog derbles at Nome, Alaska, is expected to join an aerial arctic expedition of Captain George Hubre Wilkins. If Seppalla accompanies the Wilkins expedition, it is assumed he and his dog team would convoy the supply caravan from Nenana to Point Barrow to help in freighting fuel and food for the flight toward the pole. Preparations to test snow motors with which Alexander Malcolm Smith is to haul supplies from Nenana, Alaska, to Point Barrow, on the arctic shore, for Wilkins were reported in progress today at Nenana.