Was it Andrée’s balloon? A cloud? Or an unidentified flying object? In 1896, Saloman August Andrée, a Swedish scientist, believed he could reach the North Pole by hydrogen balloon. He announced he would set out with two companions from Spitzbergen in early July. In case he drifted over the Pole and into Canada, people across the Canadian North were alerted to watch out for him and to render such help as may be necessary. When a balloon matching the description was actually seen in the skies in the Hazelton district, there was naturally great excitement in the town.
On July 31, 1896, R.E. Loring, the Indian Agent in Hazelton, wrote to his superior in Victoria. “Sir, I have the honour to report that on 3rd inst. at 7.35 p.m., an effect, by description in the shape of a balloon, was seen by a boy about four miles to the west of here, Latitude 55.15, Longitude 127.40.
In an—at the time—strong NNWly wind, it was seen to emerge from out of a heavy bank of white clouds, sailing in an intermediate clear space in semi-circular line, to disappear in another at an altitude of about four hundred feet above the timberline on the mountain. It had a black appearance having been seen between the setting sun. The boy’s description of the balloon and its actions left no doubt as to its reality and is no doubt the André balloon reported to have left Spitzbergen for the North Pole on or about 1st inst.
Again on the 10th, it was reported to us by Ghail, the head chief at Kits-pioux (Kispiox) that, while trapping with a party of Indians on Blackwater Lake, above the headwaters of the Skeena, an object resembling a balloon and then displaying two very bright lights was seen also by them on the evening of the 3rd inst.
Ghail, whom you know, is a trustworthy man and his story must be credited. The Indians on the Skeena were made aware that they were liable to see, during the beginning of this month, a balloon going north and of the purpose of its occupants etc. and to report to me anything noticed by them of that description.”
Alas, the problem with this story was that strong southerly winds at Spitzbergen had caused the postponement of Andrée’s epic journey until the following year. (The balloonists tried again in 1897 and disappeared, their frozen bodies being found in 1930).
Consequently, what had been seen around Hazelton could not have been the Andrée balloon. So, what was it?