Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-08-05

n hero, they do not like him so well
In addition to his large personal for
tune. this achievement has given him
life position at the head of depart
ment in the University of Christiania
recently established with an endow.
ment of a million kroner. The mon.
ey was raised by a lottery and private
subscription "for promoting the ex-
ploration of the seas" Its purpose is
comprehensive enough to cover all
geographical work. An explorers
congress which met at Christiania last
May took up the subject of antarctic
exploration and will direct its en-
deavors toward that end OF the world
hereafter.
The Italian Duke OF Abruzzia. who
went farther north than Nansen did.
did not return to the arctics this year.
and his ship, the Polar Star, is now at
the Italian navy yard at Genoa. He
sent up another ship early this season
In charge of his old sailing master to
look for three members of his party
who became separated from the rest
while wandering on the ice about a
year ago and were lost. One of
them was Norwegian engineer, one a
Swiss and the third an Italian. Both
of the later are professional Alpine
climbers. They are all men of ex-
perience. they know where supplies
are cached and where the stations are
and the duke thinks they have found
them and are waiting for rescue, but
other people familiar with the case
are not so confident. The ship takes
mp memorial stone to be placed at
some appropriate spot in case the
men are found dead or cannot be trac-
ed. The father of the Norwegian
engineer accompanies the party
Scientific authorities in Norway are
becoming more and more convinced
that the present plan of exploration
is waste of life. money and time, and
that the pole will never be reached
| until permanent stations are estab-
| lished at frequent intervals-not more
than forty or fifty miles apart-with
men, dogs and horses, fully acclimat-
ed to work gradually forward. leav.
Ing beaten path by which they may
return to their base OF supplies. AS
one of the most eminent scientific
men in Scandinavia expressed 1t.
| Business principles must be applied.
The polar region Is no longer place
for adventure. but there should he
cooperation among the different ma
tions for systematic survey on the
same principle that your government
is directing its geological and topo-
graphical work.
There Is no longer any hope Of An
drees return. Scientific men In this
country and expehienced Ice pilots
and whalers all agree that he could
not have survived three months.
They place no faith in any Of the mes
sages and signs alleged to have come
| from him. II was Just four years
| ago this very day, July II, 1897 one
clear afternoon when the wind was in
the right quarter. that Andree sum
| moned his companions without cere.
rnony. cut the ropes that detained his
aerial carriages and scared away into
the arctic skies. Whatever may be
| thought about the prudence and sci
entihc practicability of a voyage to
the north pole in balloon, there was
| never so sublime an exhibition OF hui
man daring, Indifference to danger
| and death. as that given by the young
Swede and his devoted companions.
Fraenkel and Strlndberg. Having
| convinced himself and them that there
Is seady current of air like the trade.
winds of the tropics, from the bounda.
| ries OF the arctic circle to the pole.
they staked their lives on their faith.
built balloon and attempted to make
the voyage.
1t must have been remarkable
scene when they departed Andree
| had waited for favorable weather for
nearly two weeks after his arrange.
ments were complete and was becom-
| ing very impatient, when as he came
from dinner on the afternoon of the
| nth OF July. he noticed with gratifi.
cation that all conditions were favor
able. He hastily called his assist
ants. who made rapid preparations for
departure. Within half an hour ev-
erything was ready. Andree shook
hands with all the bystanders in n
most solemn manner, thanked them
|
est and assistance, stepped coolly in
to his car, called F'raenkel and Strind-
berg. who were saying goodbye to
their friends. and cut the ropes with
his own hands. AS the last cord was
severed and the balloon rose heaven
ward he leaned over the edge of the
car and shouted:
Greetings at home to Sweden"
The three aeronauts waved their
caps until they disappeared into ar
unknown world where the north wind
comes from.
The scaffolding built for Andree's
balloon and the cabins he used fol
his workshops still stand on the edge
! of the ford. awaiting the disposition
of their absent owner--a melanchol,
: reminder which appeals to the senti
ment OF the Norwegians. who will al
] low them always to stand as a monu
mept IN Andrpe Frapnkpl and Strind