Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-08-26
Accident Deprives Him Of 1000
Pounds Of Stores, 80 Miles
from Start.
AIRSHIP WAS GOING FINELY
Explorer Returned ana Everything
Looked Favorable for Second Start
when the Balloon Expioded-
Any Further Attempt This
Year Impossible.

Camp wellman. Spi.zbergen. Aug. IS
(via TIammerfest. Aug. 22)-Waltcr
Wellmans second attempt 10 sail over
The north pole in n balloon has resulted
In failure.
The giant dirigible balloon America.
IN which Mr.. wellman and his party Of
three set out on their perious fight to-
day, met with a mishap after It had pro-
ceeded about % miles from the starting
point
Mr.. Wellman and his party succeeded
IN making landing without injury to
my member, and returned to this point
bn board the steamer Fran. which also
lowed in the disabled balloon.
After long preparation and waiting
Tor favorable weather opportunity cane
to-day. and Mr.. Weilman decided early
IN the morning to make the start. Every
hing had been in readiness for some
lime. and only the Anal details OF set
ling out upon such hazardous flight
remained to be carried out.
II was ton o'clock when the great air
shi- was brought out Of It's shed and
The daring explorers took their places In
The car. When the anchors were cast
BOSE the airship assembled beautifully,
The engines we're set in motion and
,verything seemed to work to perfec-
lion. The big air craft was mancuvred
Tor some time and answered the helm
perfectly. Then its head was turned to
he northward and It set out at A speed
" IS miles an hour.
GRUB ROPE BROKE.
Suddenly, after having covered some 81
miles and when everything seemed to be
roing splendidly. the leather guide rope
10 which was attached 1000 pounds OF
provision and stores. broke away. The
accident occurred Just as the airship was
nearing the pack ice OF North Spitsbcr-
gen.
Released from this great weight, the
airshp shot upward until II was at q
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
strong wind. The airship proceeded
slowly southwark to the edge OF the
pack ice. where the steamer Fran was
anchored.
After much difficuity tow rope was
got aboard the Fran. which started I'm
mediately to tow the airship TO Spitzber-
gen. Tho strain was so great, however
that It threatened to tear the car ia
which the rope was attached to pieces
and Mr.. Wellman finally decided to brinA
the airship down to the surface Of the
water.
This was affected without nishap, and
the car rested on the surface OF the
water until all the members Of the crew
the dogs and the scientific instruments
could be transferred aboard the Fran
A fresh start was then made. and the
America was towed back 70 the landing
stage and within q short distance OF
where the start was made.
THE GAS BAG BURST.
But the ill-luck Of the expedition wal
not yet at an end. Just as the a,rshil
had reached the landing stage ant
everything looked favorable for It's res
cue without serious damage, a eudde,
gust Of wind caught the big inflated
bag broadside on and snatched II ava!
from It's tow lines.
1t was carried careening over rougl
ice hummocks for some distance an,
then 1t exploded. All the scattered part
Of the airship we're subsequently re
covered. but the damage was 40 srea
as 20 preclude any further attempt 4
ny over the pole this year,
Mr.. Wellman will return to Norwa,
next week He Gays the airship wa
not seriously damaged and can be r.
paired. but that any further attemp
this year Is impossible
He is enlarging the balloon house I
accommodate a longer and more power
ul ship for future use.