The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-25

open air Mr.. Andree win erect portable shed
TO cover the balloon when being filled.
The balloon under construction will be of
such carrying power as to support a large,
strongly built gondola. The gondola will con-
tain dark room for Photographic purposes, a
sleeping-room for three persons and will be
provided with q system of sails for steering.
The gondola will be suspended from the bal
loon in such a way that in case of disaster it
can be instantly detached.
An interesting feature of the projected trip
is that the balloon viii not rise higher over the
earth on an average than 825 feet. This will
be accomplished by means of draglines con-
structed of cocoa fiber, permitting them to
float on the water. The balloon can therefore
be kept at the same distance from the earth in
passing either over ice or water
The balloon will also be provided with O.
great number of free hanging ballast lines.
The object of these is that in case the balloon
from some cause or other suddenly sinks to a
great depth as soon as the ballast line touches
the ground the balloon will be relieved OF a
corresponding weight and the sinking will
stop before the gondola touches the ground.
The journey, as now planned, will be in a
direct line from Spitzbergen over the north
pole to Boring Strait, distance OF about 1894
miles, and will not, it is expected, occupy more
than six days, which is fifth part of the time
the balloon cdn float without refilling.
Geographical and meteorological observa-
tons en- route will be made by a competent
scientist. Photographs will be taken of the
country as the balloon floats forward, and
these will be taken in double sets. One set
will be developed on board the balloon in case
the travellers meet with accident and have to
take to the gondola. The balloon will also be
provided with Davys safety lamps and an
electric storage battery for cooking, etc.
In the polar regions during the month Of
July the sun, both by night and day, is above
the horizon, so that the Arctic regions are
peculiarly fitted for long aerial voyage.
The lowest temperature at Spitzbergen in July,
1883, was few degrees above the zero point.
Another advantage of ballooning in the Arc
tic regions is the absence of vegetation, and
thus the drag lines will pass along evenly and
without obstruction. Still another advantage
is the absence OF electrical storms. No record
has ever been made of lightning or thunder in
this part OF the globe. 1t has been suggested
that a heavy snowfall would destroy the bal
loon, and this would certainly be misfor-
tune; but from records made in July at Spitz-
bergen this danger is not to be feared.
The total cost of the expedition will be
about $4,000, and this amount has already
been subscribed. King Oscar of Sweden takes
great interest in the proposed balloon jour
Hey, ana Will no DOUBT materially dlu MT.
Andree.
Baron Nordenskjold, the famous polar trav-
eler and discoverer of the Northwest Passage,
has strongly recommended the expedition to
the Royal Academy and has stated the only
practical way of reaching the North Pole is by
means OF balloon. From his large expert
ence OF polar and arctic meteorological condi-
tions, he is satisfied that Andrees plan viii
be successful. AS the distance from Spitz-
bergen to the North Pole is only about seven
hundred miles, with a south wind the expedi-
ton should in q few hours see more of the
polar regions than would be discovered in
several centuries by the old methods of ex-
ploration.
DR.. Nils Ekholm, probably the best informed
meteorologist in Europe and one OF the mem
bers Of the Swedish Spitzbergen expedition
IN 1898, says that the wind currents are
favorable during the summer months for a
balloon voyage. The only danger he fears is
that on reaching the North Pole, or the center
OF the polar regions perfect calm may be
found to prevail; but experience has proved
that such a center is usually surrounded by
wind currents blowing outward.
Mr. Andree has European reputation as a
scientific aerial traveller. He is not an enthu-
siast but practical eool-headed man of
science, who has made many experimental
tests besides many balloon journeys. In his
balloon Svea last November he Travelled from
Gothenburg, on the west coast OF Sweden, to
the Island of Gotland, in the Baltic, distance
OF over 245 English miles, covering the dis
lance in five yours