The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-23
PROF. MOORE DOUBTS IT.
Chief of the Weather Bureau Be ieves
in Andree but Not in the Pigeon.

Washington, July 23.-Prof. Willis S.
Moore, chief of the weather bureau,
was very much interested in the re-
port cabled from Christiania, Norway,
that carrier pigeon arrived yesterday
bearing this significant message stamp
ed on it's wings: North Pole, Jaw
4762.'
Prof. Moore, although he believes suf-
ficent time has elapsed for the re-
ceipt of such a message is inclined to
look upon the report as a canard. If
the bird had been freed by Andree he
thinks the ring on it's foot would have
been marked with his name and the
message would have been signed. He
also points out the fact that the mes
sage was not dated. Still if it should
prove to be true the news will be es-
pecially pleasant for Prof. Moore, who
on the day after Andree started, after
a careful examination of the chart of
atmospheric conditions and pressure in
the arctic region for this month, pre-
dicted that if Andree reached the pole,
the air currents would carry him on al
most the longitude indicated and land
him eventually near Point Barrow on
the north coast of Alaska.
With regard to Andrees means of To-
eating the pole Prof. BigeloW, the mag
netic expert of the weather bureau, says
that he would unquestionably use the
navigators sextant. The sun is always
above the horizon at this time of year
and there would be no difficulty in get
ting observations. OF course at the
pole there is no longitude but he could
know his longitude until within a very
short distance of the theoretical pole.
The magnetic needle would be value
less practically at such latitude on
count of the SWay1ng of the balloon
and the dip of the needle. The magnet
ic pole is longitude 9S west and lati-
tude 701a north. This would render the
use of the needle still more difficult.
Commodore Melville was not dispos-
ed to discredit the story of the news
from Andree Notwithstanding the alb
Sence of data as to the sender of the
niSr0On'S he
date of the polar discovery. This onliS-
sion, he said, might be accounted for
by the haste of the sender, and as it
was not known that any other party in
the Arctic regions was equipped with
carrier pigeons, degree of prObab ability
was lent to the report that entitled it
to consideration. Commodore Melville,
however, does not attach much impOr-
tance to the results to follow such an
expedition as Andree's even if il sue
ceeded in crossing the pole. He is con-
fident that it would not be possible for
Andree to have alighted at the pole
and then have resumed his flight, and
thinks that the best he could have done
would have been to cross the pole high
in the air.
His expedition, however, would solve
the question as to the existence of the
open polar sea which has been the sub
ject of so much controversy beaween
Arctic explorers, but beyond being able
to report upon that fact Andree prOba-
bly, would have little of value to con-
tribute to the present store of knowl-
edge of the far north.
Assuming that this pigeon message is
genuine and from Andree, there is grave
reasons to fear for the safety of the bold
aeronaut. If following the line of the
meridian upon which he reported him
self he landed on the north coast of
Alaska, not too far east of Point Bar
row. he probably would fall in with
some of the whalers who are still off
the coast or some of the few natives
along the shore. But if the balloon once
crossed the coast range and landed in
the interior, there would be little chance
of the explorer reaching civilization.