St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-23
Off for the North Pole.

Two parties have just started north in
the hopes of solving the mysteries of the
unknown regions OF the Arctic
Herr Andree, the aeronaut, who con-
templates trip to the north pole by
balloon, assembled in his balloon Sunday
afternoon, July II, from Tromsoe Island
off Tromsoe, Finmark, Norway. The
ascent was made under favorable cir
cumstances, the wind was good and all
was well. The weather was clear and
the balloon, christened the Eagle, was
visible for an hour, travelling in north
northeasterly direction. When last seen
it was moving at the rate Of % miles an
hour.
Prof. Andree, who is director OF the
patent office Of Stockholm, Sweden, has
entertained for many years the idea now
being put to d practical test. The sug-
gestion oil reaching the pole in balloon
came from his observations Of the regu-
larity of the trade winds and study OF
polar air currents.
The distinctive feature of Andree's bal
loon is strong guide rope, which serves
two all-essential purposes. First, it keeps
the balloon at uniform height and so
insures that the supply OF gas will not be
diminished by expansion and underAow;
second, it acts as a keel to the airship,
which is provided with three sails. By
means of this keel the balloon can drift
before the wind at an angle 10 the
general direction.
Prof. Andree estimates speed of from
II to Is miles an hour. At this rate the
pole would be reached in six days,
favorable and constant wind being the
only necessity. The balloon has a
capacity OF 100000 cubic feet, and is
67A feet in diameter. Its basket, or car,
: is only 7 feet in diameter and 5 feet in
depth. Above this is the observatory.
, The car has room for one at time and
is the sleeping room. In the observa-
tory are the sextants, glasses and other
instruments. The stove is suspended rs
!. feet below the car, and is for cooking
only.
: Prof. Andree is accompanied by civil
engineer, an army officer, a chemist and
balloon expert London Graphic.
The steam sealing bark Hope, with
Lieut.. R. E. Peary and party on board,
bound for northern Greenland, left the
6 Boston port at daybreak Monday.
The object of the voyage is to bring
about the establishment of a settlement
at remote northern point in Greenland,
which shall be used as base of supplies
t for an expedition in search of the north
1 pole under Lieut. Peary in 1898. To this
= end party Of Esquimaux will be estab-
;, lshed at the new settlement, and will
s during the next year be engaged in max
ing preparations for Lieut.. Peary's expe.
j dition.
. In the party which left Boston are
&c 43 persons, including, besides Lieut.. ant
IS Mrs. Peary and their daughter, the ser
'e wants and the crew, Mr.. aud Mrs. H. ]
70 Lee of Meridian, Ct, Robert Stein of thu
~ United States geological survey, Alber
m Operti, the famous arctic scenic artist
4. and several investigating parties, on
y under the direction of Prof. c. H. Hitch
!" cock of Dartmouth, who will study gla
&c ciers and the relics OF the old Morse colo
/. nists from Iceland, and another from
o. the Massachusetts, Institute of Tech
u, nologv, and r. w. Porter, who will
~ remain in the north through next winte
tn to hunt the big game OF the country ant
re bring back geological specimens. Their
IS are also on board two representatives o
re the National museum, who are expected
"a to bring home several tons of fossil f1or;
u. for various museums.
IN The Hope will make direct for Sydne.
+ c. B., where she will take in coal for tn
" remainder of the voyage. The ship vii
OF skirt the coast OF Greenland, droppin,
ST the scientific parties at various point
II, and taking Lieut.. Peary to Whale sound
N where his plans for establishing a settle
i, ment will be carried out
So The return voyage will be begun, it
en- expected, in about five weeks after tn
~ Hope arrives, and the parties will b
- picked up on the way back.
Whatever may be the outcome OF tn
re campaign, SO far as discovery of the pol
6 is concerned, nothing is more certai
ne than that Lieut.. Peary's expedition wi
~. ~ result in material and valuable additio
as to the worlds knowledge regarding tn
he frozen north, which seems to be NOR
he fascinating now than ever, alike to sy:
tematic explorer like Peary or DARN
~ experimenter like Andree.
~ Try Aliens Foot-Ease.
L 4. IL.