And possibly, further away, ships were being wrecked and lives destroyed by it.
THE BALLOON IN THE SHED DURING ITS DEFLATION.
Oh, for a balloon that could be steered! Why have we not one here?
Friday, August 14th (19th day of inflation), 7 a.m.—The lieutenant has just informed us that a south wind is blowing; in fact it is pretty strong. The gas apparatus is set to work to complete the inflation.
The snow is falling gently, but it melts quickly. At nine o’clock Andrée launches a small balloon which takes a northerly course at an elevation of forty to fifty yards, but it immediately turns off to the east as it rises, then the wind turns due west and we cease to hope.
Our joy was of short duration. Besides, the season is now too far advanced to attempt such a voyage. It is winter.