New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-22
POLAR AIRSHIP Blu KSTS


stood PopofY. while VaniKnan and Loud gave
their attention to the motor. The next problem
was TO get clear of the narrow bay. surrounded
by high mountains, where the currents OF
wind sent the craft first In one direction and
then in another. Wellman first tried to reach the
open ocean through the east strait but a strong
puff OF wind from that side brought the America
near the rocks. In avoiding them the ship de-
scribed circle and endeavored to pass out at
the west strait Here again 1t met another
strong current sweeping between the high noun
tains.
START UNDER GOOD AUSPICES.
The America was brought around In another
circle under good control, causing Mr. Wellman
10 remark on her good steering qualities. The
course was then set for Steerenburg, a point
northward. The balloon passed directly
the place with the guide rope end trailing and
riding easily.
quarter of an hour after the start was made
they were sailing over the open water and
steering easily northward. Wellnan went to the
navigation table, and began his log book turning
over the steering wheel TO Popoff. The motor
was running well, and the America was sailing
along two hundred and fifty feet above the
earth.
THE spectacle was marvellous" said Popofr
in relating his experience las we looked down
on tiny islands set in green sea- over which
the long guide rope trailed it's way. Eastward
were the great snow covered mountains and
glaciers glistening blue and white In the brill
liant sunshine and northward was the limitess
sea of ice, just coming into our view As
stood at the steering wheel I found that the
America steered well and easily where she had
plenty of room. The slightest movement of the
wheel was sufficient to turn her up to the wind.
Our compass course was northwest by north.
with the wind from the southwest. which gave
US movement over the sea directly northward
"Wellman calmly took notes of the course
distance and the time. Vaniman came up from
the engine room and smiled at Wellman, who
shouted above the of the motor and screws:
BY Geor.,e we are started. anyway
Whats the course?' shouted Vanirnan.
Due north I replied.
I'VE were all happy, believing had at last
overcome all obstacles and auspciously started
on our long voyage. But misfortune close
at hand. At noon Wellman, who looking
over the side. cried out
THE GUIDE ROPE BREAKS
my God! Look at thatr
THE guide rope was falling. 1t had parted
near the upper end. Relieved of over a thou
sand pounds of weight. the ship arose rapidly
into the clouds mile above the sea and a hun
dred miles north of the coast of Spitzbergen.
Mountains and glaciers spread out in beautiful
panorama Wnlcn we could see through the rIftS
in the large. feecy clouds swept upward
and onward. AT a great height we met
strong current of wind. The motor was still
running smoothly. and travelling
thirty-ive miles hour northeast. Land was
fast disappearing to the south.
''Wellman left the bridge and went forward 10
consult Vaniman. Returning. he said that they
had agreed that the loss of the guide rope
which destroyed vertical equilibrium of the ship.
made continuance of the voyage impossible.
We opened the valve to get the ship lower
Wellnan ordered to pass the provision stores
TO the rear of the ship in order to help restore
her to an balance, destroyed by the loss of
the guide rope.
''Wellman took the wheel and steered toward
Vogelsang. The ship then battling against
strong wind and the propellers. working pow
erfully, enabled at times to gain little,
but at others we lost ground. We descended
slowly. owing TO the open valve. and in the
lower altitude found the wind lighter. Finally
we struck altitude where the wind was
light. and We're able to make about eight
miles hour. Then the motor stopped proba-
bly, on account of the balance of the ship being
destroyed. The shape of the balloon as it was
when We started was now lost through the let
ting out of so much gas at high altitude. and
the engineers set about Initiating it in order to
restore it to its original form.
"Wellman called to Vaniman to get out the
retarder and TO replace the guide rope in case
should get near the surface of the water
Vaniman found great difficulty In arranging
the tackle in this unexpected manner, but the
retarder finally let down. With the motor
stopped We drifted northward over the Ice
fields in complete silence. Wellman caught
sight of two ships far TO the south, which
proved to be the Fran and the Arctic. carry
ing Norwegian expedition.
TOWED BACK TO THE CAMP.
"A little later the engineer succeeded in start
ing the motor and our course was set southwest
Wellman having announced that he would re-
turn to his camp. b. this time the retarder was
floating on the sea or sliding over ice fields. Oc-
casionally loops in the improvised guide rome
would catch in the ice, and it was necessary to
swing the ship around in order TO release it.
The ship answered the helm we'll at all times
Near the edge of the floating ice the line was
caught and held fast by an ice foe. The steamer
Fran, having and come near WelIraan
shouted to the crew send off a boat and re-
lease the line, not wishing TO cut 1t. because 1t
would be useful in making landing. The Fran
sent off a boat and released the line. Meanwhile
Wellman and Vaniman consulted, and decided to
have the Fran try to tow the America back TO
the camp.
THE Fran took the arship in tow and pro-
ceeded for two hours, towing us slowly Their
the wind became stronger and the airship jerked
and careened from side to side. Vaniman sug-
gested that the Fran send boat TO trail from
the rear end retarder rope. This was done and
the ship rode easier for half an hour The tow
rope was straining the steel car in a violent
manner again. and as 1t was feared II would
break Wellman decided to come down TO the
RIA ~ in or1a to