The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-08-26
WALTER WELL MAN
NOT DISCOURAGED
WILL MAKE ANOTHER DASH TO
NORTH POLE IN AIRSHIP OF
HIGHER SPEED.
WILL PROFIT BY DISASTER.
Details of Explosion Which Wrecked
Mammoth Gasbag Are Received
from Spitzbergen Camp.
WORKMEN WANT TO TRY AGAIN.

CAMP WELLMAN, SPITZENBER-
GEN. Aug. 10, via Hammerfest, Aug.
23.-DetaiIs of the accident to Walter
We!hnan's airship, after the explorer
had made the start for the north pole,
turn of the expedition.
1T was 10 o'clock in the INCOMING of
the 10Th when the great airship was
brought cut of its shed and the daring
explorers took their places in the car.
When the anchors were cast loose the
airship ascendcd beautifully, the engines
We're set in motion and everything seemed
10 work to perfection. The big air craft
was unanswered for some time. and an
Swered the helm perfectly, Then lis
head was turned TO the northward aad it
an hour.
Suddenly after having covered some
thirty-two miles and when everything
seemed to be going splendidly. the lrath,
or guide rope, to which was attached
1000 pounds Of provisions and stores.
broke away. The accident occurred just
aS th" airship was nearing the pack Ice
Of north Sptzbcrgen.
Airship Scars to Sky.
Released from this great weight. the
airship shot upward at a terrific pace
until It was at great height above the
clouds. The pilots succeeded. however,
in bringing her down near the earth,
turned her about and set Out to fight
their way southwark against Il strong
wind.
The airShip proceeded slowly south
ward To the edge of the pack ice, where
the steamer Fran was anchored. After
much difficulty a tow rope was gotten
aboard the Fran, which started imme-
dlately to tow the airship to Spitzber-
gen The strain was so great, however.
That II threatened to tear the ear to
which the rope was attached to pieces.
and Mr.. Weman finally decided to
bring the airship down to the surface of
the water This was effected without
mlShap and the car rested on the sur
face of the wafer until all the members
Of the crew, the dogs and the scientific
INSTRUMENTS could be transferred aboard
the Fran.
Fresh Start Made.
y fresh start was then made. and the
America was towed back to the landing
stage and within Il short distance Of
where she started.
But the lIl-luck Of the expedition was
not yet n an end. Just aS the airShip
had reached the landing stage and every
tuluE looked favorable Tor its rescue
without serious damage, n sudden gust
of wind caught the big inflated bag
broadsde on and snatched it away from
its tow lines. 1t was carried carcening
over the rough ice hummockS for some
distance. and then il exploded, All the
scattered parts of the airship were sub
Sequently recovered. but the damage was
50 great as to preclude any further at,
tempt to fly over the pole this year.
q n Shi n
longer and narrower than that which met
with disaster, and of higher speed. Other
improvements will be made, prottng by
experience. Workmen have started en-
largns the airship house and making all
ready for another campaign.
All the members of the crew of the
arShIp have the utmost confidence III
their leader and the success of his enter,
prise. They have asked to 90 with him
on his next voyage.