Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-10-19
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BALLOON ABANDONED.
The America Blown Far Out Of Her
Course--W Wireless Messages Bring
Assistance from Steamer Grew
Of Dirigib|e Rescued.

only $50 miles northwest of Bermuda.
What must have been the experiences of
the Americas commander and crew as
they We're thus swept out of the course?
Captain Down Of the Trent flashed
first news of the rescue in message to
the New York Times, which, with the
Chicago Record. Herald and the London
Daily Telegraph, contributed $4,000 for
the purpose of the expedition.
Subsequently more details came in dis
patches to The Associated Press. Further
wireless messages reaching New York to-
night says that one of the Americas mo-
tors had broken, which made more seri-
Gus the predicament created when all the
gasoline that could be spared was cast
into the 1t is also probable that TN"
craft had suffered severely from the
jerking of its rat-like tail, or equllibrator,
which served the triple purpose of eion-
gated gasoline tank, balance and wire
less ground Wellman had flashed by
wireless to Siasconet that this immense
appendage battered by the waves, nan
caused trouble and anxiety, necessltat-
ing shutting off the motors at times
Rufreted as the craft was by the WINDS
II is likely that the equilibrator causeh
greater trouble in the Americas unwill-
ing southwark journey.
The America, is Or was, rs leet
long and 50 feet in diameter WIN
lifting capacty of 23,650 pounds.
The envelope alone weighed tohs'
There were three gasoline engines
aboard, two of from so to W morse
mower for the propellers and small
er one for the operation OF DONKEY
engine. Taken as whole the craft
was praC tically the same III winch
Welln an made his two starts for the
North pole in 1907 and 1909 respective
jv Neither OF these attempts was
successful; both were made from
snitzhereen. one of a group of islands
in the Arctic ocean between Franz
Josef Land and Greenland. The hrst
,rip was abandoned when the America
was driven toward a Jagged cliff: the
second was given up because OF the
breaking of a long trail rope. stored
with provisions. not unlike the equll-
ibrator Of the trip just ended.
Mr.. Welman is 50 years old and
was born in Mentor. Ohio. AS
journalist and explorer he became in
terested in ballooning and has had
great faith in the possibilities of eX-
ploration and voyaging by drlg-
ible. Mrs. Wellman and Mrs.
Vaniman, overjoyed that their
husbands are safe but disap-
pointed that the goal was not reached.
hurried from Atlantic City to New
York tonight ready to meet the re-
turning voyagers with the arrival of
the Trent tomorrow.
Atlantic City, N. j., Oct 1S.-''My
greatest horror is over the terrible
disappointment that it will be to my
, husband ard the men OF the America
over their failure to reach Europe.
was one of the declarations of Mrs.
Walter Wellman. wife of the head OF
the American expedition. this after
noon. in discussing the rescue of her
husband.
We are safe and well-Wellman.'
This messages was received by Mrs
Wellman, who was with her daughters
and Mrs Naniman, wife of the chief
engineer of the arship at one Of the
beach front hotels.
After expressing her sorrow at the
failure of the enterprise, Mrs. Well
man continude.
Il shall have little TO say until Mr..
Wellman has arrived. He must be
proud of the men who risked their
lives aboard the America. But
known that Mr.. Wellman has always
considered the venture as a scientific
experiment and his own words will
be best able to tell his conclusions"
Mrs. Welman, her daughters and
Mrs. Vaniman left for New York this
evening.