The Andrée Expedition to the North Pole
From the journal of S A Andree:
“It is not a little strange to be floating here, floating here above the Polar Sea. To be the first that have floated here, floated here in a balloon. I cannot deny that all three of us are dominated by a feeling of pride. We think we can well face death, having done what we have done.The balloon contained 36 homing pigeons. Only one ever made it back to civilisation (info here and here - two of the best articles to be found on-line)
Isn’t it all, perhaps, the expression of an extremely strong sense of individuality which cannot bear the thought of living and dying like a man in the ranks, forgotten by coming generations? Is this ambition?
Dispatch, July eleven, eighteen-ninety-seven. Four carrier pigeons sent off. We are now in over the ice which is much divided in every direction. Weather magnificent. Best of humour. ANDRÉE.STRINDBERG.FRÆNKEL.”
(Extract via, photo via)
January 04, 2012, 10:15pm
