TIVO BALLOONISTS WHO FAILED 223 



of plan aroused the scoffers, and Andree's exploit became something of a by- 

 word; but the explorer was undaunted, and in 1897 he again went to Spitz- 

 bergen. The inflation of the balloon was completed this time on June 22, and 

 a few days were spent in making the great craft "seaworthy" in every way. It 

 was given a name — the "Ornen," which is Swedish for eagle. Finally, on July 

 II everything was ready. Andree wrote two messages of thanks, one to 

 a Stockholm newspaper and the other to the King, and he and his two com- 

 panions climbed in. The names of these companions were Nils Strindberg and 

 Ferdinand Frankel. 



Before the crowd of onlookers the balloonists shook hands with their 

 friends and at 2 40 p. m. Andree gave the word, "Cast off." The monster 

 balloon rose in the air, and sailed over the heads of the spectators, while the 

 three men in the basket waved handkerchiefs and shouted last adieus. 



And they were last adieus indeed. Those fast-dwindling forms, swaying 

 beneath the great dark gas-bag against the sky, were never seen again. Whether 

 they came down, with gas exhausted, in open water and were drowned, 

 whether they crashed against a berg and so died ; or whether they landed in 

 some ice-wilderness and starved, — these are mysteries which iron-hearted na- 

 ture has thus far refused to reveal. 



Wellman's plans were of a different kind. He did not propose to trust to 

 air-currents to waft him across the polar sea, as did Andree, but designed an 

 air craft of the nature of a dirigible balloon, which theoretically could be turned 

 at will. 



The bold adventure was backed by a Chicago newspaper, and passed years 

 in making his preparations. Interest of explorers and aeronauts everywhere 

 was aroused, and doubt and confidence were divided. The doubters said that 

 the fickle air would not do what it was claimed it would ; the supporters of 

 Wellman urge that, if air ships could travel hours with ease, why not days? 



In September, 1907, Wellman made his first start from Spitzbergen. He 

 started boldly and with good hope; but it proved that the machinery of his 

 craft was too delicate ; and after the balloon had proceeded a short distance, 

 something went wrong with the guide-rope, which, like Andree, Wellman had 

 trailing after the airship. The balloon crashed against the side of an ice moun- 

 tain, and was badly disabled. Fortunately none on board was injured, and all 

 returned to Europe in safety. Of course, however, no further attempt was 

 made that year. Again, in August, 1909, Wellman got his ship and his men 

 together and prepared to start, but this, too, ended in failure. 



