Noble Blood: The Disastrous Arctic Balloon Mission of 1897

Host: Dana Schwartz
Guests/Contributors: Alec Wilkinson, Merrilee Schmidt Nason, Ann Bancroft, Zarin Burnett, Jason English
Date: January 24, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dana Schwartz and her panel dive into one of the most ambitious and ill-fated explorations in Arctic history: Salomon Auguste André’s 1897 attempt to reach the North Pole by hydrogen balloon. Combining historical accounts, first-hand journal entries, expert interviews, and reflective commentary, the episode dissects the spirit, hubris, and tragedy of the mission, exploring the motives behind such daring expeditions and André’s lasting impact on exploration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: A Man, A Balloon, and a Dream

• Salomon Auguste André, a Swedish engineer and balloon enthusiast, dreams of flying to the North Pole—a feat no one else had seriously attempted, despite centuries of polar exploration (00:00–03:41).
• Dana frames the mission against the backdrop of 19th-century explorer "hubris" and fascination with the unknown:
  "If you told anyone you were flying a balloon to the North Pole... anyone would be like, 'That's a bad idea.'" —Dana Schwartz (03:24)

The Era of Exploration & Scientific Ambition

• The late 1800s were marked by scientific curiosity and the belief that "there was nothing that science couldn't accomplish."
• Alec Wilkinson (author of The Ice Balloon) contextualizes the period’s drive to explore and decode the world's mysteries:
  "These were God-stricken people... We need to get there." —Alec Wilkinson (04:52)

The Balloon Design & Bold Plan

• André, inspired by new ballooning technology, devised a way to steer gas balloons using ropes and sails (08:10–10:56).
• Balloon expert Merrilee Schmidt Nason confirms his meticulous preparation and explains the dependence on weather:
  "He had done enough test flights... that, you know, he had some actual data..." —Merrilee Schmidt Nason (10:56)

Gaining Support (and Skeptics)

• Despite skepticism (notably concerns about safety), André secured backing from Sweden’s King Oscar II and Alfred Nobel (12:29).
• He assembled a scientifically robust team and state-of-the-art equipment, including a specialized camera and rigorous plans for mapping the Arctic (15:25–17:37).

The First Attempt and Setback (1896)

• Poor wind conditions forced André to call off the first launch—an example of prudent decision-making, not failure (18:13–19:04).
  "He was doing the right thing by not taking off... the correct conditions did not exist." —Merrilee Schmidt Nason (18:38)

The Actual Flight (1897): Success & Disaster

• The second attempt finally launches amid national excitement and press attention (21:49).
• A crucial mechanical failure occurs almost immediately:
  "If one were looking for an omen, it happens immediately after launching." —Alec Wilkinson (22:37)
• The loss of guide ropes makes the balloon un-steerable, but spirits remain high as André notes the pride of being first above the polar sea (23:51).
  "It is not a little strange to be floating here above the polar sea..." —André's journal (23:51)

The End of the Balloon Flight & Beginning of Hardship

• After 65 hours in the air, the balloon is forced down onto Arctic ice, more than 300 miles from the Pole (25:53–27:00).
• The men were "prepared to travel on the land... he had anticipated that." —Merrilee Schmidt Nason (27:00)

The Struggle on the Ice

• The trio embarks on an agonizing trek, battling drifting, uneven ice, exhaustion, and wildlife (30:08–37:41).
• Excerpts from their journals reveal a mix of optimism, struggle, and awe:
  "The sun touched the horizon at midnight. The landscape on fire. The snow a sea of flame." —André's journal (37:24)

The Small Joys and Ongoing Peril

• Temporary joy as the team celebrates a Swedish holiday with a ceremonial meal — a rare moment of camaraderie and pride (39:05–39:37).
• Encounters with polar bears, worsening weather, and collapsing ice flows intensify their ordeal:
  "At 5:30am we heard a thunderous crash..." —André's journal (40:40)

The Vanishing and the Aftermath

• After reaching land (New Iceland/White Island) and setting up camp, the men's fate becomes a mystery.
• The world waits—rumors and hoaxes circulate, but no news emerges (42:19–42:39).

Rediscovery Decades Later

• In 1930, their remains, journals, and photographs are found. The story, preserved in André’s own records, captures the global imagination (42:55–44:46).

Theories and Legacy

• The cause of death remains unknown—starvation, cold, or disease are all plausible explanations (44:46–46:57).
• The episode reflects on André’s persistence and innovation, and the paradox of seeking glory at the edge of doom.
  "He was risking his life for an idea... I still admire him." —Alec Wilkinson (47:36) "I don't think it was doomed..." —Merrilee Schmidt Nason (47:57) "The human spirit to quest and go forward... is really affecting." —Ann Bancroft (49:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Explorer Psychology:
  "The hubris of 19th-century explorers just really gets to me." —Dana Schwartz (03:18)
• On Preparation:
  "He was very systematic... He did a really good job of figuring things out." —Merrilee Schmidt Nason (16:17)
• On the Unpredictability of the Arctic:
  "You can go to sleep and you'll drift back 10 miles, so you can have a zero-sum day." —Ann Bancroft (33:10)
• On Beauty Amid Hardship:
  "The sun touched the horizon at midnight. The landscape on fire. The snow a sea of flame." —André's journal, read by Dana Schwartz (37:24)
• On Criticism in Hindsight:
  "It's very easy to criticize... But we are trying to learn and understand the story." —Ann Bancroft (46:05)
• On the Enduring Spirit of Exploration:
  "We keep trying to do something... Man always wants to try to do more and explore more and discover more." —Merrilee Schmidt Nason (47:57)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00: Introduction to André and the flight plan
• 03:03: Discussion of explorers & fascination with failed expeditions
• 04:44: History of attempts to reach the North Pole
• 07:37: André’s innovative thinking and belief in ballooning
• 10:56: Confirmation of balloon’s test success
• 12:29: Support from King Oscar II and Alfred Nobel, skepticism from scientific community
• 17:49: The first (aborted) attempt due to bad weather
• 22:11: Launch of the second attempt, guide rope failure
• 25:53: Landing the balloon on the ice
• 32:02: Ann Bancroft on the reality of Arctic ice travel
• 33:10: The exhausting, sometimes counterproductive effort of moving across the ice
• 37:24: Journals capturing the Arctic’s surreal, harsh beauty
• 39:05: Celebration on Swedish holiday
• 42:19: The world waits and speculates after the men’s disappearance
• 44:46: Rediscovery in 1930 and mystery of their death
• 47:36: Legacy of André and the mission

Wrap-up and Reflections

• The hosts marvel at the recovered photographs, the endurance of the crew, and speculate on casting a film adaptation (50:02–52:33).
• The overall tone is a mixture of reverence, fascination, and gentle critique, highlighting both the folly and the nobility of André’s quest.

Conclusion

This episode of Noble Blood masterfully tells the story of Salomon Auguste André’s Arctic balloon expedition, blending historical fact, personal voice, and thoughtful analysis. The tale is framed as a testament to human curiosity and ambition—the urge to venture where none have gone—while recognizing the risks and the inevitable weight of history’s judgments. The story endures not just as a tale of failure, but as a monument to the spirit of exploration.

For full effect, listeners are encouraged to view the haunting photographs developed decades after the expedition—moments of ambition and melancholy frozen in time.