ANDREE’S DIARY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 291, 20 September 1930, Page 5

ANDREE’S DIARY

STORY OF BRAVE EFFORT.

AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT,

HUMAN AND SCIENTIFIC,

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, September 19. The Swedish Government has issued a summary of Solomon Andree’s diary, which contains 142 pages and covers the period from July 11, 1897, to October 2, 1897, when the last note appears. “With such comrades one should be able to get through in any circumstances,” is one entry in the diary, which contains observations and reflections of human and scientific importance. It is noteworthy that although Andree was the oldest of tlie party, he constantly cheered his companions and withstood the hardships better than the others. Nevertheless, the diary thus far has not cleared up many baffling circumstances of tlie flight. On July 12 and 13 the gondola of the balloon was repeatedly forced 1 down until it touched .the. ice. Fire broke out in the gondola on July 14, but was easily extinguished 1 . That day the flight was abandoned in 83 degrees north latitude, 30 degrees east longitude, but no reason is given. The diary states onlyi: “The balloon struggled upward, but Andree opened both valves to prepare for safe landing.” The period from July 14 to July 26 was devoted to the organisation of sledges and plans for a trip across the ice, which was begun on July 27, when the diary notes: “A bit hazy regarding our actual goal in travelling over the ice.”

A note written on July 30 explains that the expedition had decided not to attempt to reach the depot stations at Spitsbergen, but instead proposed to proceed to Franz Josef Land. It made the slowest progress, never exceeding a few miles daily, but all the time taking observations which Andree was confident would be of great scientific value. Early in August the shortage of food became more acute and the party was compelled to shoot Polar bears and seals. Meanwhile they were continually taking samples of soil and Arctic plants. There is a humorous entry to the effect that “Franckel was making delicious Polar bear pancakes, which were very tasty.” Approaching Spitzbergen the party had tlie opportunity to use the canvas boat but found that drifting ice made it impossible to reach Seven Islands. The diary notes increasingly cold storms from September 12 to September -17, forcing the trio to admit that it must be winter ice.

On September 17 they sighted White Island, which, Andree named New Iceland. -Again supplies were at the lowest ebb, but on October 20 they killed bears and seals. They then constructed a hut which they called “Home.”

On October 4 trio was compelled to abandon the hope of reaching Franz Josef Land, as the food stores were dwindling, while Franckel and Strindberg were suffering constantly from stomach and teeth troubles. However, all kept recounting humorous anecdotes in a brave effort to keep up their courage. An entry on October 22 recounts that a heavy storm swept away part of the provisions and equipment, despite most, valiant efforts to save them.

The diary ends on the same date, Andree apparently still trying to maintain his comrades’ cheerfulness and! paying glowing tributes to Frankel and Stridberg. After examining Andree’s diaries, legal experts decided that the Swedish copyright law must apply, but as more than 30 years had elapsed since the diaries were written, the copyright had lapsed, and anyone was at liberty to publish the contents. Experts report that the diaries were carefully written, and . contain 142 pages, which constitute a most remarkable human and scientific document. /