The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1897-07-21
The NORTH POLE
The Goal of Prof. Andree and His
BIG BaIlon
A vENTUREsOME BALLOONAHc
logging Along Northward at the
Rate Of Twenty Miles
an Hour.
A vENTUREsOME BALLOONATIc
ANOTHER NEWS FOUNTAIN

TRoMsoE, Island of Tromsoe, Fin.
mark. Norway, July 1.-THE steamer
Svenskund, which has arrived here
from Spitzbergen, reports that Herr
Andree, the aeronaut, assembled in his
balloon on Sunday afternoon, at 2 80.
The ascent was made under favorable
circumstances the wind was good, and
all was well.
As the wind conditions were more ia
vorable on Sunday morning than they
had previously been, the order was
given that the start should be made as
quickly as possible. Tho preparations
occupied three and one-half hours. The
balloon, which was christened tho
Eagle, made q successful ascent amid
the shouts and cheers Of the crowd
which had gathered to witness its de-
parture. Despite the hghtness Of the
wind the balloon rose rapidly, until an
tanned, when IL was forced down nearly
to the surface of the sea. After few
sandbags had been thrown out, how
ever, it again assembled. The weather
was clear and the Eagle was visible for
an hour, travelling in a north-north-
easterly direction. When last seen 1t
was moving at the rate Of 20 miles an
hour.
The balloon in which Andree Is at
tempting to penetrate the Arctic re-
gions is constructed with reservoir
having a double covering said to be i'm
pervious to hydrogen, or at least suffi-
GENTLY SO as 70 keep the balloon afioat
for 30 days, and having a capacity of
5S, 800 cubic feet, and lifting povpr,
when inflated with hydrogen, OF about
1895 pounds.
The balloon will carry three persens
and provisions for four months, besides
scientific instruments and Benton's coll
lapsable boats and the car is capable Of
instant detachment from the reservoir.
No propelling apparatus is to be used,
the wind alone to be the means of pro-
pulsion. 1t is provided with sail and
also drag or guide ropes, which will
trail along the surface below and retard
the balloon, making its rate Of speed
about 20 per cent less than that of the
wind, and, hence, capable of being
steered.
This apparatus has often been used by
Herr Andree, enabling him to sail at an
angle of % degrees to 40 degrees from
the direction of the wind. The sailing
altitude is to be $50 meters, equal to
9,S42 l-2 feet or = little less than two
miles and IL is expected that this alti-
tude will keep the balloon above the
surface fogs and below the lowest
cloud. This viii be accomplished by
the guide ropes, the weight OF which ON
the balloon constantly increases during
ascent, as rope Is taken mp from the
surface. till point is reached where II
will counterbalanoe the lifting power Of
the gas The contrary effect is produced
by descent, in proportion to the weight
Of rope supported ON the surface; 80
that any tendency to vary from the sail
ing altitude fixed by this counterbal-
ance will be checked in this way. Tha
ropes are so constructed a. 10 be sup
ported on the surface Of the water as
we'll as on that of land
The balloon was taken TO SpitxberRen
in June and inflated In . temporary
structure, erected there. hydrogen con-
densed in tanks being transported there
for this purpose. Andree's hope was 20
sail from Cape Thorsden on clear day
in July. when the wind was from the
south, and with an average speed Of 10
miles an hour, which, Il IL expected,
can be maintained, reach the pole In IS
hours the voyage TO be continued
thence to Bering strait the pole lying
nearly in direct line between that
point and Cape Thorsden.
The average velocity Of the wind At
Cape Thorsden Is about ~ miles am
hour, and. allowing for 20 per cent
retardation by the guide ropes. this
gives a sailing speed OF about 10 miles
an hour. as above The average tenn
perature at this point In July Il 90 de-
prees Fahrenheit. the lowest being AZ
degrees, and the highest 81 degrees
and there are no stOfms. and but little
snow at that time OF the year. the tom-
porature being 50 nearly even.
From this Il may 10 inferred that >
similar eyenness OF temperature and
| freedom from storms WIN DO found
| further north, near the pole. this date
being near tho middle OF the Arctic
| Summer, when the sun - conlinuaIiy
1 above the horizon. Hence, though q
lower temperature viii. Of course. %
I found a. the polo. excessive cold n
| hardly 10 be expected. aud tho condI.
tions for tho successful voyage are AZ