AND REE' S FATAL FLIGHT IN A BALLOON 395 



number of degrees. The sail could be adjusted to aid materially 

 in this result, and it was thought that by its use and the rudder-like 

 effect of the dragging rope a tack of thirty degrees could be made. 

 It was intended to so manipulate the gas and the basket as to keep 

 the balloon about five hundred feet above the surface. 



A large number of carrier-pigeons were taken along to be sent 

 back with any important news. A supply of cork buoys was also 

 taken, each having a vertical shaft with a small Swedish flag 

 attached to it. In the center of each buoy was a small water-tight 

 metal box, in which a letter could be placed before it was thrown 

 overboard. Such buoys might float for months or even years before 

 they came ashore or were seen and picked up at sea. 



The locality chosen for the start was Danes Island, one of the 

 northwestern islands of the Spitzbergen group, the proposed time 

 for the start being the month of July, 1896. AndreVs chosen com- 

 panions were Dr. Nils Ekholm, a meteorologist of high standing, 

 and Nils Strindberg, an amateur photographer who was eager to 

 take part in the trip. These two had made many of the instruments 

 taken in the balloon. 



The spot chosen for the ascent was Pike's house, built by an 

 English sportsman in the northern part of the island. Here an 

 octagonal building was erected and the balloon inflated by its maker 

 in the latter part of July, 1896. All was ready by the 27th, but the 

 favoring south wind desired failed to blow. They waited impa- 

 tiently for the wind to change to the right quarter, but it blew 

 steadily from the north, and at the end of the first week of August 

 it was decided that the season was too far advanced to warrant a 

 start. The disappointed explorers accordingly sent their materials 

 and apparatus to Tromso to be stored and returned to Stockholm to 

 wait the coming of another summer. 



The necessary funds for a new expedition were easily obtained 

 and the king now placed a Swedish gunboat at Andree's disposal 

 to aid him in his effort. But during the winter Ekholm withdrew 



