Andree, Salomon August (1854–1897)

Andree, Salomon August (1854–1897) – the Swedish aeronaut, engineer, professor, physicist, and chief engineer in the Swedish Patent Office. In 1896 with the financial support from Noble and Dikson, he constructed a balloon in Paris, which was named the Eagle. The balloon volume was 4800 cubic meters, equipped with 3 guide ropes (hung downward), which were used as a brake. In 1897 A. and two companions, Nils Strindberg, a photographer, and Knut Fraekel, an engineer, started from Virgo Bay on the northwestern coast of Spitsbergen towards the North Pole. A. reported about the expedition with buoys and pigeon post. The first buoy was dropped after 8 h; however, it was found only in 1900 on the north coast of Norway. Only one message was received via pigeon post. The balloon flew for 65 h 33 min, covered 500 km, and forced down on the ice. A. and companions on a boat and sledges went towards the Barents Sea, located to the east of the Spitsbergen. Later on, in 1930, the remains of all...