Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-23
Accident Stops Wel|man's
Trip to North Pole.
Breaking Of Guide Rope Cuts
Short His Flight.
cast 81 wind Damages AIrshIp...
This Years Chance Spoiled.

Camp Wellman. Spltzbergen, Aug. 10
(via Hammerfest, Aug. 2N.-Waltel
WeIiman's second attempt to sail over
the north pole in a balloon mas re-
suited in a failure.
The giant dirigible balloon America
in which Mr. Wellman and his party
OF three set out on their perilous flight,
met with a mshap after it had pro-
ceeded about 81 miles from the starting
point.
Mr.. Wellman and his party succeeded
in making landing without injury
to any member. and returned to this
poirt on board the steamer Franz
which also lowed in the disabled
balloon.
After a long preparation and wait
ing for favorable weather opportunity
came Saturday, and Mr.. Wellman de-
cided early in the morning to make
the start Everything had been in
readiness for some time and only the
final details of setting out upon such
a hazardous fight remained to be
carried out.
1t was 10 o'clock when the great air
ship was brought out of it's shed and
the daring explorers took their places
in the car. When the anchors were
cast loose the airship assembled beau
TRULY, the engines were set in mo-
ton and everything seemed to work to
perfection. The big air craft was
maneuvred for some time and an
swered the helm perfectly. Then its
head was turned to the northward and
it set out at speed OF % miles an
hour
Suddenly, after having covered some
30 miles and when everything seemed
to be going splendidly, the leather
guide rope, to which was attached 1000
away. The accident occurred Just as
the airship was nearing the pack ice
of North Spitzbergen.
Released from this great weight the
airship shot upward until it was at
great hight above the clouds. The pi
lots succeeded, however, in bringing
her down near the earth, turned her
about and set out to fight their way
southwark against a strong wind. The
airship proceeded slowly southwark to
the edge of the pack ice, where the
steamer Fran was anchored.
After much difficulty tow rope was
got aboard the Fran, which started
Immediately to tow the airship to
Spitzbergan. The strain was so great,
however, that 1t threatened to tear the
car to which the rope was attached to
pieces, and Mr.. Weliman finally decid
ed to bring the airship down to the
surface of the water.
This was effected without mishap
and the car rested on the surface of
the water until all the members of the
crew. the dogs and the scientific instru-
ments could be transferred aboard the
Fran. A fresh start was then made,
and the America was lowed back to
the landing stage and within Il short
distance of where the start was made.
But the ill-luck of the expedition was
not yet at an end. Just as the airship
had reached the landing stage and
everything looked favorable for it's res
cue, without serious damage. sudden
gust Of wind caught the big inflated
bag broadside on and snatched it away
from it's 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 re-
covered. but the damage was so great
as to preclude any further attempt to
fly over the pole this year
Mr.. Wellman will return to Norway
next week. He says the airship was not
seriously damaged and can be repaired,
but that any further attempt this year
Is impossible
He Is enlarginy the balloon house to
accommodate q longer and more pow
erful ship for future use.