Above the roof they are joined to each other by five horizontal ropes placed at equal distances and forming a kind of balustrade 3 feet 3 inches high, which was to be covered in later on either with tarpaulin or some other enclosing material.
The thickness of these horizontal ropes is ⅕ inch, except the uppermost rope, which is ³⁄₁₀ inch thick.
About 6 feet 6 inches above the roof, the hexagon formed by the six ropes is drawn together by a hexagon of rope-work measuring 3 feet 3 inches inside diameter.
The upper end of the suspending ropes terminates in an eye or loop joining it to the ropes of the load ring.
On the circumference of the upper edge of the car six brass balls are fastened, at equal distances from each other, forming the lower part of a system of ball links which are to carry a structure intended to support the scientific instruments. This structure was made at Stockholm under the supervision of Andrée.
The fitting up and equipment of the car was also carried out under his supervision.
The aeronauts will generally be on the flooring of the roof, for the purpose of observations. The interior of the car forms their sleeping apartment, where they will each rest in turn.
Marks of the Expedition.—All the articles comprising the aerostatic equipment are marked with the words “Andrée’s Polar Expedition 1896,” which are branded upon wooden articles, engraved on metal articles, and painted with a durable paint on the protecting cover, the envelope, the tarpaulin of the car, and the ballast bags.
Some ropes of the net and the suspending rope are fitted with small plates strongly fixed to them, on which the above mark is engraved.
The articles not affording sufficient space for the whole mark bear the abridged mark “Aée’s Exp 1896.”