Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-24
BALLOON AMERICA
BLOWN INTO BITS
Great Air Craft, Which Starts on
Voyage for North Pole, Ex-
plodes After Sailing
Thirty-Two Miles
sPITZBERGEN,

CAMP WELLMAN, SPITZBERGENs
Aug. Is, via Hammerfest, Aug. H--Wal-
ter Wellman's second attempt to sail over
the north pole in balloon has resulted I'm
failure. The giant dirigible balloon Amer
lea, in which Mr.. Wellman and his par
ty of three set out upon their perilous
flight today, met with a mishap after 1t
had proceeded about 80 miles from the
starting point.
Mr.. Wellman and his party succeeded
in making landing without injury to
any member. and returned to this point
on board the steamer Fran, which also
towed in the disabled balloon.
After Ions preparation and waiting for
favorable weather the opportunity came
today and Mr.. Wellman decided early In
the morning to make the start Every
thing had been in readiness for some
time and only the final details of setting
out upon such a hazardous flight re-
manned to be carried out.
BALLOON STARTS SAIL.
1t was 10 o'clock in the morning when
the great airship was brought out of its
shed and the daring explorers took their
places in the car. When the anchors
were cast loose, the airship assembled
beautifully, the engines were set in mo-
ton and everything seemed to work to
perfection. The big air craft was ma
Ineuvered for some time and answered the
helm perfectly. Then, its head was
turned to the northward and 1t SET out
at a speed of 3 miles an hour.
Suddenly after having covered some
81 miles and when everything seemed
to be going splendidly. the leather
guiderope to which was attached
Thousand POUNDS of provisions and
CURED just as the airship was nearing
the pack ice Of North SpitZbergen.
Released from this great weight, the
airship shot upward at a terrific pace
until it was at a great height above the
clouds. The pilots succeeded, however.
in bringing her down near the earth.
turned her about and set out to tight
their way southwark against a strong
wind. The. airship proceeded slowly TO
the edge Of the pack ice, where the
steamer Fran was anchored After
much difficulty. a tow rope was got
aboard the Fran, which started imme-
olately to tow the airship to Spitz-
bergen.
TOWED BACK TO EARTH.
The strain was so great, however,
that it threatened to split the balloons
car to which the rope was attached and
Mr.. WeIlman finally decided to bring
the airship down to the surface OF the
water. This was effected without mis-
of the water until all the members OF
the crew, the dogs and the scientiiic
instruments could be transferred aboard
the Fran. A fresh start was then
made, and the America was towed back
to the landing stage and within a short
distance OF wnere the start was made.
GAS BAG BURSTS.
But the ill-luck of the expedition was
not yet at an end. Just as lie airship
had reached the landing stage and ev-
erything looked favorable for It's res
cue without serious damage, sudden
gust of wind caught the big inflated
bag broadside and snatched 1t away
from its tow lines. 1t was carried
careening over rough ice hummocks for
some distance and then 1t exploded
All the scattered parts of the airship
were subsequently rescued. but th4
damage was 80 great as to preclude any
further attempt TO fly over the pole
this year.