Andree, Salomon Auguste

Salomon Auguste (1854-), a Swedish scientist. Born in Grenna, October 18, 1854. He received a thorough technical education, and was a professor in the University of Stockholm from 1886 to 1889. In 1892 the Swedish Academy of Sciences made him a special grant for the purpose of experimenting in aerial navigation. In 1895 he laid before the academy a plan for seeking the north pole by means of a balloon. A grant of $40,000 was raised at once by popular subscription. He constructed an immense balloon sixtyseven feet in diameter, with a capacity of 170,000 cubic feet. July 11, 1897, Andree started north from Dane's Island, Spitzbergen, with two companions. While in sight, his balloon traveled at from twelve to fifteen miles an hour, which should have brought him to the pole in about six days. Two days after he left, a carrier pigeon returned with a message to the effect that at noon, July 13th, the daring navigators were in latitude 82.2 deg, longitude 15.5 deg. east, and were making excellent progress. Though several expeditions have been sent out to search for them, nothing has been heard or seen of either Andree, his companions, or the balloon. See Arctic Regions; Balloon