Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-13
LOSES HIS A|RSH|P
Failure of WeIIman's First At
tempt at Ascension.
BALLOON SAILS OFF ALONE
After Two Years Of Preparation and
Promises.
BALLOON SAILS OFF ALONE
EXPEDITION ON ITS WAY HOME
Car of the Airship Gathered in After
Two Days Hard Work-Explorer's
Record of Fiascos.
Special Cablcgram to The Star.

| Special Cablegram to The Star.
| COPENHAGEN, September ia dis
| patch from Christiania says that Walter
| Wellman has returned to Tromsoe from The
Island of Spitzbergen, having abandoned
| for the present his contemplated trip by
balloon to the north pole.
/ Wellman reports that he attempted un-
successfully to make an ascent ON Septem-
Der 2, but strong northwest wind forced
the balloon in shore and the balloon broke
loose and disappeared.
The remainder of the equipment wa.
saved. He intends to make another at
tempt next year with new balloon
Calendar of Procrastination.
Special Cabegram 10 The Star.
TRONDJHEM, September 13.-The Days
posten says that Wellman arrived at from
soc on board the Frithjof last night When
the wind drove the balloon southwark it
was cut adrift, but the car and other parts
were recovered after two days work
This is the second time that Wellman has
been baffled in his attempt to reach the
north pole by balloon. He made one dash
for it on foot when he was in northern lati-
tudes with some Norwegian companions in
1898. But. after he had travelled 200 miles
from his base, he fell into a crevasse and
broke leg and had to be brought back on
a sledge
His first balloon attempt was made last
year, and all was apparently ready on the
Island of Spitzbergen, as it was this year,
when, August IS, the following announce
ment was received from Wellman at Ham,
merfest, Norway:
Promises Year of Action"
Il have decided not to attempt a voyage
northward this year on account Of defects
in the mechanical equipment of my air.
ship. According to the announcement made
last winter, In anticipation of such posi-
bilities, the expedition will continue next
year. My party Is completing a great bal
loon house and other features of the plant
and making experiments with a view to the
campaign of 1897. This year will be one of
preparation, and the next will be one of ac-
ton"
But it was not.
Welman returned to civilization, as ex-
emplified in Paris, and also visited the
United States. Meanwhile, he had a new
airship constructed in Paris with improved
motors. He left Paris April II, and the
polar trip was to be made in the summer.
But he did not make his start for the
north till the end of May, so that he ar
rived in Spitzbergen June g. and July
found him still getting a good ready on.
No doubt he would have been making for
the pole July ., but July a storm came
and did SO much damage that again he was
delayed. However, he assured his friends by
wire that his start would not be delayed
longer than the middle of August. The mid
die of August came and went, but there
was no news of the commencement of the
aerial dash In fact, August 81 found him
still waiting for favorable conjunction of
circumstances. The wind was contrary.
Wellman's Weathervane Whiskers.
Till it should blow from the south. of
course, We.lman could not fly north, and it
vas blowing steadily from the north Sep
tember Mr.. Wellmans whiskers were still
floating in southerly direction, and the
ominous announcement went forth, semi
officially, that If the breeze did not take an
opposite direction by September 10 there
could be no dash this year. In day or two
came the expected news that the attempt
so called had been given up again. But the
news that the balloon was cut loose and
the attempt was given September is fresh.
At TromSoe, September ., it was well un-
derstood that Mr.. Weliman might be eX-
pected to cut loose in a few days, but they
did not know the balloon had been cut loose