ANDREE’S DIARIES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1930, Page 5

ANDREE’S DIARIES

REM A Rlv A RLE Rlf CORDS

(United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright).

STOCKHOLM, Sept. 19

The Swedish Government has issued a .summary of Andree’s diary, which contains 142 pages, and covers the period from July 11, 1897 to October '2,- 1897, when the last notes appear. “With such comrades, one should be '’able to get through under any circa instances,” says the diary. Tile diary contains observations and reflections of human and scientific importance. Jt is noteworthy that although An dree was the oldest of the "party, he Constantly cheered his conii,panions, and withstood the hardships better than the rest. Nevertheless the diary, thus far; has not cleared up many baffling circumstances of the flight.

.’ On July 12th and, 18th, the gondola of the balloon was repeatedly forced down, until it touched ice. A fire broke out on the gondola on July ■■l4th. but it was easily extinguished, and-on that day the flight was abandoned at eighty-three degrees 1 north latitude, and thirty . degrees east longitude, but no reason for this is given. The diary only states:—“The balloon struggled upward, but Andree opened - both valves- to prepare for a safe landing.” ■ From - July • 14th to’ July ',26th ’ the time was devoted to the organisation of sleds and plans for a trip across the ice, which was begun on July -27th, when the diary notes that they were “a bit hazy regarding the actual goal to travelling over ice.” A note written on July 30th explains that the expedition had decided not to attempt to reach the depot stations in Spitzbergen, but instead, proposed to proceed to Franz Josef Land. They made only the slowest progres, never exceeding a few miles daily, but all the time making observations which, Andree was confident, would be of great scientific value. On October 4th, the trio were compelled to abandon their 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 of them kept recounting humorous anecdotes in a brave effort to keep up their courage.

' ‘ Early in August the shortage of food became more acute, and the party were compelled to shoot polar bears and seals. Meanwhile they continually were taking samples of the soil’ and of the 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 an opportunity to use their canvas boat, but they found that the drifting ice made it impossible to reach the Seven Islands.

The diary notes jncreaoingly cold storms from September 12th to September 17th, forcing the trio to admit that it must be winter ice. On September 17th, they sighted White Island, which Andree named New Iceland. Again their supplies were at the lowest ebb, but on October 20th, they killed bears nnd seals, giving them provisions till April, 1898. They then constructed a lnit, which they called “home.”

Ati : entry on October 27th records that' a heavy storm swept away part bf their provisions and equipment, despite the most valiant efforts to save them.

The diary ends on the same date. An'dree, apparently, was still trying to maintain his comrades’ cheerfulness, and was paying a glowing tribute to Franckel and Strindberg. After examining the Andree diaries legal experts have decided that the Swedish Copyright Law must apply, hut, as niore than thirty years have elapsed since ' the diaries were written, the copyright has lapsed, and anyone is at liberty to publish the contents.

The experts report that the diaries have been, most carefully written. They contain 742 pages, which constitute a most remarkable humane! and scientific document.