The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-28

IN Sweden, accompanied by two
IN II fellow countrymen, Nils
w strindberg and DR.. Fraenkel.
noated away from Amster-
dam island. one Of the spitzbergen group.
in quest OF the North pole. 1t was the
FIRST time in all human history that a
Polar expedition was thus attempted. and
II ID also worthy Of mention that this was
the FIRST attempt ever made to reach a
distant designated spot by sailing through
the air. Men had gone up and come down
IN balloons. but never with definite
course in view.
The projected route was over a region
that no human eye had ever seen and
over which no human being had ever
passed II was in ideal Arctic summer
conditions that the fight was made.
There was a mild. blue sky and we'll
defined breeze bore direct toward that
northern center OF the earth's polarity.
This was what for some time had been
awaited Now that the suspicious hour
had come. the great silken sphere was al
lowed 10 lift out OF its large octagonal-
shaped building, the three daring adven-
turers entered the swinging car. the air
ship swung loose, good-byes were ex-
changed between the departing passen-
gers and the group OF friends that were
there TO see them of. and In less than an
hour the poleward-bearing aerial craft
was lost to view. Over three and one
third years have now passed and-un-
broken silence.
II ID true that two authentic messages
from the party have been found. but
these were both dropped within few
hours Of departure and announced that all
was wen. There Is probably not more
than one chance in ten thousand that any
one Of the party is still living, and per-
haps but one chance in i've hundred that
anything authentic may yet be heard
from them.
After going into some detail regarding
the construction and equipment Of Prof.
Andree's balloon. tho undoubted physical
conditions Of the circum-polar region will
bc considered, and then. a. logically as
she case viii admit Of. o series of situa-
tions win be presented such ~ the ex-
plorers might be expected to encounter.
and In one Of which was undoubtedly
wrought their destruction. The enterprise
was indorsed by some Of the scientific So
cleties Of Sweden, King Oscar himself
having literally contributed financial aid.
Tho balloon WAS the usual pear-shape
structure, - feet high, nearly 90 feet 1t
IT. widest diameter. and held approxi-
mately 10000 cubic feet OF hydrogen gas.
A. Il requires 100 cubic feet OF hydrogen
10 lift seventy pounds avoirdupois, here
thsn was total lifting capacity Of about
Ave tons, including the airship's own
advised to make = eo0-miie experimental
balloon voyage in some settled country
and learn how near he could reach .
given locality. Had he done this the polar
voyage would never have been undertaken
IN the then undsvelopcd condition OF aero
nautics. He was also fully Informed as
10 the wholly incorrect plan OF the old
Montgoinsr style Of balloon. which Is as
illogical for aerial navigation ~ would be
= steamer intended to navigate the waters
standine on It's end. He was urged, II he
must persist In retaining the pcrpendicu-
Lar instead Of horizontal form, to use
three covers ~ = measure Of greater Sc
cuYfty and have the outer two 10 gradu-
atsd In siss - to leave spaces Of ut least
one foot all around. these spaces also to
be Allied with gas. This would have 30
miuamised the leakage from the interior
~ to make II practically proof against
loss. would have modifed the effect on
the hydrogen Of sudden changes In tenn
perature. and In case OF tho hull being
snssgcd this compartment plan OF wall
would allow the first and even the second
cover TO be perforated and still leave the
structure In good floating condition. Such
simple precautson needs only to be men
toned 10 be understood. and II seems In
credible that II was not acted on.
There was such q departure from the
single cover AS to double the top part
down thirty feet from its center and
triple II over a space twenty-five feet In
diameter. These several phys were pasted
together In a solid body and added
strength 10 resisting tho upward pressure
Of the gas where such strength. SO long
Ne the ship stood on an even keel. was
most necessary.
But the yielding cushion and compart-
ment features were rejected when. on this
plan. n balloon sphere could have been
ia .1aN. al.
OF abuse. The lower half OF tho ship and
the part most likely To meet with perfora-
fion II dragged over distractions was still
vulnerable with It's one strand whore in
vulnvrebility war most essential large
amount OF inescusahle and conspicuous
fonihardiness has been perpctrated In the
guia~ OF hunting the North pole hut the
Andrec expedition capped the climax
The aerial navigator was well aware of
The immense pressure exer,ed M into the
dome % his balloon by the $4,000 feet of
gas. which. as stated. was Ave tons hence
there was need Of triple thickness Of
goods at this zone % greatest pressure
Added 90 this was what the general pub
Tic Was never cA9niEant aS. namely. a
net work covering Of iwe-inch cables
This may seem excessive. but. considering
The much greater than usual quantity
Of confined gss ard the greater hazards
a. be Incurred. such a melted cable cover
ins was not disproportIonate
when the alrshla LETT It's ortaxanai
quarters at Amsterdam island Il carried
. regular eommtssary Of subsistence and
equipment and small arsenal % weapon.
and ammunition Exclusive OF the sNtp
proper. there was abou, $500 pounds az
margin fer passengers. equipment ana
ballast
Special ingenuity had been invoked In
concentration ard "a provide for such cx.
ierncic- as theoretically presented them.
selves - the men who WIRE % take such
hasArds There VAS a coiiapslhie haat.
knock .3owa sleds. harness 80 cantrlved
that tho user could utilise nj. strength
O. the best advantage. Ingenious stoves
iiauid fgci and altogether grub stake
snr,c. under good oondAinns. 20 tide over
the better Part as year Blankets ana
clothing came Ia tor thorough attaa.
ttan
nus she moEt novel feature ~ this real.
IS li-c0nevtved aerial craft wax III enc
drag rNpss ~ which means II was ex.
pee,ed AZ isas, IN some measure 20 sneure