| The balloon
in which Professor Andree sailed away for the north pole was built much
after the fashion of other balloons. It had, or has, if it be still
intact and not wrecked in the arctic seas, one distinctive feature.
That is a strong guide rope which serves two all essential purposes.
It holds the balloon at a uniform height and so prevents the gas from
being diminished by expansion and overflow. It also serves as a keel
to the floating vessel, which is equipped with three large and easily
worked sails. With the aid of the keel the balloon can drift before
the wind at an angle to the general direction. This gives the explorer
the advantage of not being at the complete mercy of every shift in the
upper current and enables him to hold his course or an approximate course.
Andree counted upon a speed of from twelve to fifteen miles an hour.
At this rate he would reach the pole in about one week, the only necessity
being a constant and favorable wind. This balloon has, or had, a capacity
of 170,000 cubic feet in diameter at its widest part. The basket or
car is seven feet in diameter and has a depth of five feet. Above the
car is an observatory. There is room in the basket for one person at
a time. It is used as a living and sleeping room. Andree and his companion
were to take turns at the watch. The observatory was equipped with sextants,
glasses, and other instruments. The explorer did not go without fire,
as is the custom in most balloon ascensions. A small stove was taken
along which was to have been used for cooking purposes only. It was
hung twenty-four or twenty-five feet below the car, where there is minimum
danger of setting fire to the gas that might pour out of the opening.
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