ANDREE’S DAIRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 253, 20 September 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

ANDREE’S DAIRY

ILL-FATED EXPEDITION. TO , THE POLE IN BALLOON., (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Beceived : September 20, 4.10 p.m. STOCKHOLM, Sept. 19. The Swedish Government has issued a summary of Dr. Andree’s diary. It contains 142 pages and covers a period from July 11, 1897, to October 10, 1897, ; when the last note appears: “With such comrades one should be able to get through under any circumstances.”

The diary, contains observations and reflections of human and scientific importance. It is noteworthy that although Dr. Andree was the oldest of the party he'constantly cheered his companions and withstood the hardships better than the rest.

But the diary has not cleared up many baffling circumstances of the flight. On July 12 and 13 the gondola of the balloon was repeatedly forced down, until it touched the ice. Fire broke out in the gondola on July 14, but it was easily extinguished and that day the flight was abandoned at 83deg north latitude, 30deg east longitude, but no reason is given.

From July 14 to July 26 was devoted to the organisation of, sleds and plans for a trip across the ice, which was begun on July 27. A note written on July 30 explains that the expedition decided not to attempt to reach the depot stations at Spitzbergen, but instead proposed to proceed to Franz Josef Lanu. It made the slowest progress, never exceeding a few miles daily,' but all the time taking observations, which Dr. Andree was confident would be of great scientific valued

Early, in August the shortage of food became more acute and the party were compelled to shoot Polar bears and seals. Meanwhile they were continually taking samples of the soil and Arctic plants. There is a humourous entry to the effect that “M‘. Franckel is making delicious Polar bear pancakes, which are very tasty.” The diary notes increasingly cold storms from August 12 to 17, forcing the trio to admit that it must be winter ice. On August 17 they sighted White Island, which Dr. Andree named New Iceland. On October 4 the trio were compelled to abandon hope* of reaching Franz Josef Land as the food stores were dwindling, while M. Franckel and M. Strindberg were suffering constantly from stomach and teeth trouble. However, all kept recounting humourous anecdotes in a brave effort to keep up their courage. The supplies were at their lowest ebb, but on October 20 they killed bears and seals, giving provisions until April, 1898. They then constructed a nut, which they called home. An entry on October 2 records that a heavy storm swept away, part of the provisions and equipment, despite the most valiant efforts to save them. The diary ends on the same day. J)r. Andree was apparently still trying to maintain his comrades’ cheerfulness. He paid a glowing tribute to M.M. Franckel and Strindberg. After examining Dr. Andree’s diary, legal experts decided that the Swedish copyright law must apply, but as more than thirty years have elapsed since the diary was written _ the copyright has lapsed and anyone is at liberty to prftlish the contents. The experts report that the diary is most carefully, written. It contains 142 pages, which constitute a ; most remarkable human and scientific document.