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Departure of the Andree balloon expedition to the North Pole, Spitzbergen, 1897
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Departure of the Andree balloon expedition to the North Pole, Spitzbergen, 1897
Departure of the Andree balloon expedition to the North Pole, Spitzbergen, 11 July 1897. In 1897 a Swedish explorer named Salomon Andree made an attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon. Together with two colleagues, Dr Nils Strindberg and Knut Fraenkel, he took off from Spitzbergen, but the balloon was forced down onto the ice by the weight of ice accumulating on the outside of the balloon in a freezing fog. Rescue attempts failed to find the missing explorers, whose bodies were not located until 1930. Theories as to how they died include exposure, the effects of eating infected polar bear meat, or carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty stove
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Media ID 14836106
© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images
Aeronautics Andree Arctic Balloon Ballooning Balloonist Departure Exploration Knut Nils Norway Salomon Spitzbergen Strindberg Take Off Taking Off Ann Ronan Pictures Fraenkel Metaphor Nils Strindberg
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Departure of the Andree balloon expedition to the North Pole, Spitzbergen, 1897
EDITORS COMMENTS
. This print captures a moment frozen in time - the departure of the ill-fated Andree balloon expedition to conquer the North Pole. In 1897, Swedish explorer Salomon Andree embarked on a daring journey alongside his courageous colleagues Dr Nils Strindberg and Knut Fraenkel. With hopes high and spirits soaring, they took off from Spitzbergen with their eyes set on reaching the elusive Arctic destination. However, fate had other plans for these brave adventurers. As they ascended into icy skies, an unexpected freezing fog enveloped their fragile balloon. The weight of accumulating ice forced them down onto treacherous polar terrain below. Despite valiant rescue attempts by fellow explorers, these intrepid men were lost to the unforgiving Arctic wilderness. For decades following this tragic event, speculation swirled around their mysterious demise. Some theories suggested exposure to extreme cold or carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty stove as possible causes of death. Others even pointed towards infected polar bear meat as a potential culprit. It wasn't until 1930 that their bodies were discovered - silent witnesses finally revealing some answers but leaving many questions unanswered about this haunting chapter in exploration history. This poignant image serves as both a testament to human ambition and a reminder of nature's unyielding power. It stands as an enduring symbol of courage in pursuit of knowledge and discovery amidst harsh conditions that continue to captivate our imagination today.
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