APPENDIX. 873 



Giffard, or something analogous to it. Nevertheless, the loss of gas, 

 which is inevitable when the constituent elements are renewed, consti- 

 tutes a serious objection. It is to be regretted that experiments on 

 the decomposition of steam from water by iron have not been made, 

 for this process would be infinitely preferable. But I dare not recom- 

 mend it in the imperfect state of information which the scientific world 

 is in with regard to it. And yet the aeronauts of the First Republic 

 inflated their balloons with it during the campaign of 1794. 



If it were desired to inflate the balloons of the Polar expedition 

 with decomposed steam, it would be necessary to train the crew of the 

 Jeannette to its employment. 



It would be equally indispensable to train the aeronauts by prelim- 

 inary ascensions at sea, in the neighborhood of vessels, and with attach- 

 ments composed of guide-ropes with running knots. 



The car should be unsinkable, and shaped like a boat or like an ice- 

 sledge, with the anchors and guide-ropes disposed in such a manner 

 that the draft should always be effected from, the sides, and not from 

 the ends. 



Ascensions should not be made when the thermometer is too low, 

 for there is then a probability that the caoutchouc might be affected 

 by the frost, and might crack. 



The flaxseed-oil varnish is the only thing to be relied on, if it be 

 desired to make ascensions under such difficult circumstances. 



Efforts should be made to find some means of ascending and de- 

 scending without sacrificing gas. The experiments which I am mak- 

 ing in this regard will be concluded before the end of May, and I 

 shall then be able to give more precise details on the subject. 



Wilfred de Fonvieille. 



Paris, 15 March, 1879. 



APPENDIX B. (See page 67.) 



Shipping Articles for the Naval Service for Persons enlisting on 

 Board of the Arctic Steamer Jeannette. 



We, the subscribers, Petty Officers, Seamen, and others, do, and 

 each of us does agree to and with Lieutenant George W. De Long of 

 the United States Navy : 



In the first place, we do hereby agree for the considerations herein- 

 after mentioned, to enter the service of the Navy of the United States, 

 and in due and seasonable time to repair on board the Arctic Steamer 

 Jeannette, for a cruise to the Arctic Regions, for the purposes of 



