Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-08-26
FLIGHT TO POLE FAILS
WE LYMAN MEETS WITH ACCI-
DENT IN SECOND ATTEMPT.
Guide Rope Breaks and the Bag
Shoots Up to = Great Height
After Descent, Gust Hits Air
ship and Collapse Follows.

Camp Wellman, Spitzbergen.-Wal-
ter Wellman's second attempt to sail
| over the North Pole in balloon re-
suited in failure. The giant dirigible
balloon America, in which Mr.. Well
man and his party Of three set out
upon their perilous flight. met with q
mishap after it had proceeded about
80 miles from the starting point
1t was 10 o'clock in the morning
when the airship was brought out Of
its shed and the explorers took their
places In the car. When the anchors
were cast loose the airship assembled
beautifully. the engines were set n
motion and everything seemed to
work to perfection. The big air craft
was Unanswered for some time and
answered the helm perfectly. Then
Its head was turned to the northward
and 1t set out at q speed of 25 miles
an hour.
Suddenly, after having covered some
80 miles and when everything seemed
to be going splendidly, the leather
guide rope, to which was attached L.
600 pounds OF provisions and stores,
broke 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 ut terrific pace
until 1t 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 a.
gainst q strong wind. The airship
proceeded slowly southwark to the
edge of the pack ice. where the steam
or Fran was anchored.
After much difficulty towrope was
gotten aboard the Fran. which start
ed Immediately to tow the airship to
Spitzbergen. The strain was 80 great,
however. that it threatened to tear
the car, to which the rope was attach
ed. to pieces, and Mr.. Wellman final
ly decided 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 in
struments could be transferred aboard
the Fran. A fresh start was then
made and the America was lowed
back to the landing stage and within
short distance of where the start
was made.
But the III luck of the expedition
was not yet at an end. Just as the
airship had reached the landing stage
and everything looked favorable for
its rescue without serious damage,
sudden gust of wind caught the big
inflated bag broad-side-on and snatch
ed It away from its towlines.
It was carried, careening, over rough
Ice hummocks for some distance and
then 1t exploded. All the scattered
parts Of the airship were subsequently
recovered. but the damage was so
great as to preclude any further at
tempt to fly over the pole this year.
Wellman Says He VIII Try Again. \
Camp Wellman, Spitzbergen. Aug.
Is, via Hammerfest. Aug. 2S.--Walter
Wellman made the following state
ment with regard to his unsuccessful
attempt to sail for the North pole:
THE America demonstrated her
strength, speed and adaptability to
this work. In returning to Spitxber.
gen We made mistake In not placing
enough confidence In our own ship and
engines. Had We not throueh nvAr