The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-14
The North Pole Balloon Trip.

1t is a Swede, NJ. Andre, who is the
author OF the plan of exploring the pole
by means of balloon. AS is well known,
a belt of ice encircles the pole, where it is
believed an open sea will be found 1t is
/ this belt which it has been hitherto i'm
! possible to cross in vessel, that the bold
Swede proposes to cross through the air.
| The expedition will be composed of three
persons NJ. Andre, the chief, NJ. Ekholm,
a scientific man, and M. Strindberg. The
| last is the nephew of the celebrated novel
list, dramatic author and illustrious mis-
ogynist, some OF whose plays, esteemed by
literary men, have been given this season
at the Theater Libre.
Uncle and nephew are at present in
Paris. The former has come to make
known to the scientific world some inter-
esting chemical experiments by which ne
thinks he can demonstrate that sulph ur,
which hitherto has been classed by science
among the simple elements. may be re-
solved into several elements; for / forg OF
to say that the poet is also chemist, and
by no means an unappreciated one. The
n ephew has been sent to Paris by M. An
Dire to superintend the construction of the
pole Nord, !" the balloon which is to be
used on the expedition planned. He has
taken advantage of his visit to make some
experiments with a system Of sails and
guide ropes, which, as he thinks, viii per-
NIT him to direct the balloon partly, or at
/ least to make progress to windward.
I'VE have" be said to me, "made use of
the 'Brennus' for this experiment, bal
loon constructed directly under my super
vision by Mr.. Machuron, who is also con-
structing our Pole Nord. This balloon
; -, i. Il
my place in the car with MN. Machuron
and \. de Fonvielle. M. Cailete of the in
stitute watched our departure from terra
/ firma. At 1898 the 'Brennus' rises slowly
and drifts to the south-southeastward
having started from the factory at
Vanguard. We leave Paris above the Cha
.tillon gate at an altitude of 600 meters.
pass Villeiuif, then Villeneuve-St. Georges
Then we let our guide ropes trail; we
are above the forest of Senart; we arrange
the sails, the balloon shows itself at once
obedient to the direction, we visibly devil
ate from the direction of the wind and sue
coed in passing beyond the forest. | was
getting ready to measure the deviation
thus obtained when the rays of the sun,
which had been pouring for moment on
the balloon, made the gas in it expand
and send the balloon up abruptly,
which interferes with the observation
We try the experiments again after
passing Melun and Fontainebleau. By
means of an instrument devised
| by NJ. Ekho!m, member of the coming
expedition, was then able to measure the
angle of deviation from the direction of
the wind, which varied between eight and
ten degrees. We kept up the experiment
during nearly an hour, obtaining at will
deviations to the right and 10 the left,
making thus a zlgzag line. AT last, after
Journey of five hours, we came to land
near the little town of Egreviile, between
Nemours and Montagris, delighted, [ as
sure you, with the results of our days
work"
Thereupon l leave the Swedish aeronaut.
wishing him the success which he and his
comrades deserve in the expedition which
thew are about to take.-Paris Correspond
ent of the New York Sun:
Do not sairto read Thomas siater's advertise