The South Pole, Volumes 1 and 2

ll In the han

eensland, Ap

ent fruits, and writing -- the history of the South Pole. What an infinite distance seems to separate that region

o, I should have looked upon him as incurably mad. And yet the madman would have been right. One circumstance ha

and named the region after the man for whom they would all gladly have offered their lives -- King Haakon VII.

ternoon, took part in this unveiling, it has fallen

tion and the possibility were there, and justify the name of Antarctic exploration. The motive force of these undertakings was -- as has so often been the case -- the hope of gain. Rulers greedy of power saw in their mind's eye an increase of their possessions. Men thirsting for g

tions of the southern hemisphere, set their course toward the South, to make what landfall they could. These need only be mentioned briefly before passing to the second group, that of Antarctic tr

f the lands of ice in the South. People of the present day, who are so well supplied with information about the most distant parts of the earth, and have

posed to being engulfed and destroyed by the vague, mysterious

iscovered and subjected to the power of man. Knowledge of the appearance of our globe became ever

hese voyages of exploration? What good do they do us? Little brains, I a

ed the Navigator, who is ever to be remembered as the earliest promoter of geograph

Sailing from Lisbon in 1487, he reached Algoa Bay, and witho

n. After him came men like Cabral and Vespucci, who increased our k

Oceans in the strait that bears his name. No one before him had penetrated so far South -- to about lat. 52o S. One of his ships, the Victoria, accomplished the first circumnavigation of the world, and thus established in

, we owe him honour for the geographical discoveries he made. He rounded Cape Horn and proved that Tie

said to have been blown out of his course after passing the straits, and to have found himself in lat. 64o S. under high la

asman, and towards its close English adventurers report

the South in 1699 for the purpose of making magnetic observations, an

southern ice-pack for any considerable distance, and to br

he probability is that this was what we now know by the name of South Georgia. The Frenchman, Marion-Dufresne, discovered, in 1

ca," the sixth continent itself, still lay unseen and untrodden. But human courage and intelligence were now

d not exist. The expedition, consisting of two ships, the Resolution and the Adventure, left Plymouth on July 13, 1772. After a short stay at Madeira it reached Cape Town on October 30. Here Cook received news of the discovery of Kerguelen and of the Marion

s laid for the newly discovered islands -- Kerguelen, Marion, and the Crozets -- and it was proved that they had nothing to do with the great southern land. In the course of his further voyages in Antarctic waters Cook completed the mos

r of seals round South Georgia brought many sealers, both English and American, to th

n, Captain William Smith, is to be recorded. And this discove

of Captain Thaddeus von Bellingshausen. It was composed of two ships, and sailed from Cronstadt on July 15, 1819. To this expedition

Leith, in 1819 and 1822, being accompanied on the second occasion by the cutter Beaufoy. In February, 1823, Weddell had the satisfaction

t also in the scientific results of these voyages, and chose their captains accordingly. In 1830 the firm sent out John Biscoe on a sealing voyage in the Antarctic Ocean with the brig Tula and the cutter Lively. The result of this v

ippers, reported land in lat.

firm, John Balleny, in the schooner Eliz

to the Pole. Early in 1838 Louis Philippe Land and Joinville Island were discovered and named. Two years later we again find d'Urville's vessels in Antarctic waters, with the object of investigating the magnetic conditions in the vicinity of the South Magnetic Pole. Land was discovered in lat. 66o

was collected in Orange Harbour in the south of Tierra del Fuego, where the work was divided among the various vessels. As to the results of this expedition it is difficult to express an opinion. Certain it is that Wilkes Land has subsequently been sai

bered as one of the most intrepid polar explorers and one of the most

t for throwing bombs; her construction was therefore extraordinarily solid. The Terror, 340 tons, had been previously employed in Arctic waters, and on this account had been alre

Islands, and arrived in Christmas Harbour, Kerguelen Land, in the following May. Her

fforded it all the help he possibly could. During his stay in Tasmania Ross received information of what had been accomplished by Wilkes and Dumont d'Urville in the very region which the Admiralt

not received this intelligence, it is quite possible that the epoch-making geograp

e deck of the ship which a few years later was to be his deathbed. Little did he suspect, as he sailed out of Hobart through Storm Bay -- the bay that is now wreat

now faced by the ice-pack, but to Ross this was not the dangerous enemy it had appeared to earlier explorers with their more weakly constructed vessels. Ross plunged boldl

r him, and the boldest voyage known in

our ideas -- these men sailed right into the heart of the pack, which all previous polar explorers had regarded as certain death. It is not merely difficult to grasp this; it is simply impos

sea. On the following day the horizon was perfectly clear of ice. What jo

en -- just as they had accustomed themselves to the idea of open sea, perhaps to the Magnetic Pole itself

t! Mighty mountain-ranges with summits from 7,000 to 10,000 feet high, some c

morning of January 12 they came close under a little island, and Ross with a few companions rowed ashore and took possess

irst time. The former was seen to be an active volcano, from which smoke and flames shot up into the sky. It must have been a wonderfully fine sight, this flaming fire

appointed. From Ross Island, as far to the eastward as the eye could see, there extended a lofty, impenetrable wall of ice. To sail through it was as impossible as sailing through the cliffs of Dover,

. 167o W., and the highest latitude 78o 4' S. No opening having been found, the ships returned to the west, in order to try once more whether there was any possibi

and thrilling incidents, but added l

st, found that it turned north-eastward. Here Ross recorded an "appearance of land" in th

ime was to reach a high latitude along the coast of Louis Philippe Land, if possible, or alt

nd his men did not confirm this. About fifty years later active volcanoes were actually discovered by the Norwegian,

nt work had been achieved, and the honour of having opened up the w

el to make for the South. Her chief object was to make magne

bruary 5 the Antarctic Circle was crossed in long. 30o 45' E. The most s

visit the Antarctic regions in

s is the Challenger expedition. This was an entirely sc

so well known over the whole civilized world tha

South Shetlands and in the regions to the south of them. The days of saili

ho throughout his life insisted on the necessity and utili

ore high-minded champion. So long as "Antarctica" endure

and of Captain Eduard Dallmann, bound for the South Shetlands. M

oned the Bal?na, the Diana, the Ac

nds. They each brought home with them some fresh piece of information. On board the Bal?na was Dr. Willia

the Antarctic regions in search of whales, he has unquestionably brought home the best and most abundant scientific results. To him we owe the discovery of large stretches of the east coast of Graham Land, King Oscar II. Land, Foyn'

ander I. Land than either Bellingshausen or Biscoe. But the search for whales claimed hi

vensen had been free, he would here have had a chance of achieving eve

istensen. Kristensen was an extraordinarily capable man, and achieved the remarkable record of being the first to set foot

nder the leadership of Commander Adrien de Gerlache. Hardly anyone has had a harder fight to set his ente

fication for his difficult position. It must be remembered that the Belgica's company was as cosmopolitan as it could be -- Belgians, Frenchmen, Americans, Norwegians, Swedes, Rumanians, Poles, etc. -- and it

over the magnetic work he rendered great services in this department also. Lec

ortunately this gifted young man died at an early stage of the voyage -- a sad lo

rought home speaks better than I can for his ability. Besides a keen interest in his work

Their share of the work was the sky and the sea; they ca

trenuous task he had, that of constantly watching wind and weather. Conscientious as he

had an excellent effect. As things turned out, the greatest responsibility fell upon Cook, but he mastered the situation in a wonderful way. Thr

to the South Magnetic Pole, but this had to be

l Fuego delayed their departure till January 13, 1898. On tha

d the South Shetlands. As these waters had not previously been i

m a geographical point of view, was carri

-- Danco's Land. The strait was afterwards named by the Belgian authorities "Gerlache Strait." Three weeks

Strait southward along the coast of Graham Land, at a date when all

urse. Next day they sighted Alexander Land, but could not approach

from the north sprang up and opened large channels in the ice, leading southwar

ess was hopeless. An attempt to get out again was in vain -- the

ed as he was, at a time of year when he ought rather to have been making his way out

t would please the public, he might just as well never return at all. Then the thickly packed ice opened, and long channels appeared, leading as far

t right, but we can

tions were commenced at once for the winter. As many seals a

, and brilliant oceanographical, meteorolo

was not fitted for wintering in the ice. For one thing, personal equipment was insufficient. They had to do the best they could by making

nco died of

ely the enormous block of ice passed under the vessel and lifted her up without

insanity. One of them by itself would have been bad enough. Scurvy especially increased, and did su

deserved it. From morning to night he was occupied with his many patients, and when the sun returned it happened not infrequently that, after a strenuous

2 the sun

e Antarctic winter had set its mark upon all, and

to see a change in the ice. But no; the ice they had entered

and went without a

e ice would mean death and destruction on a large scale. Disease and insu

to the aid of

nd thus reaching the nearest lead. The proposal was submitted to the leader of the expeditio

ork, day and night, they

rs of the expedition that I think it just to mention it. Upright, honourable, capable, and con

arded as one of the greatest humbugs the world has ever seen. This is

rked her way out into the lead and a little way on, she was s

The immense seas raised the heavy ice high in the air, and flung it against the sides of the vessel. That month was a hell upon e

en initiated, and de Gerlache had won his place fo

fforts to get in. This was the Southern Cross, the ship of the English expedition, under the leadership of Ca

ered Ross Sea in lat. 70o S. and long. 174o

dare, where it wintered. The

xpedition succeeded for the first time in ascending the Barrier, which from Ross's day had been looked upon as inaccessib

ay to the south, and threw aside the greatest obstacle to the expeditions

in our day it can hardly be regarded as an Antarctic expedition. On this voyage the pos

closely as the vessel could venture to approach. Abu

century opens with the splendidly equipped British and German expe

of the Discovery's expedition, and it co

rmitage, who had taken part in the Jac

s were Royds, Bar

r. Koettlitz, a former member of the Jackson-Harmsworth expedition, and Dr. Wilson. The latter was also t

s, and arrived at Simon's Bay on October 3.

of the South Polar lands that might be found, and to make a magnetic survey. It was

f ship should visit and communicate wit

nd other points, the Discovery made a very interesting examination of the Barrier to the eastward. At this part of the voyage King Edward VII. Land was discovered, but the thick ice-floes prevente

han any previous expedition. In the course of the autumn it was discovered that the land on which the expedition had

id down, and the final march to the South was begun o

round their progress was not rapid; the highest latitude was reached on December 30 -- 82o 17' S. New land was d

mselves had to draw the sledges. It went well enough so long as all were in health; but sudde

the ship again, after an ab

e first time in history, the high Antarctic inland

Island was discovered, and on January 25 the Discovery's masts were seen. But M

Morning returned, accompanied by the Terra Nova, formerly a Newfoundland sealing vessel. They brought orders from home that the Discovery was to be abandoned if she

had had more coal, it is probable that this active explorer would have accomplished even greater things than he did. Wilkes's "Ringgold's Knoll" an

Auckland Islands. With rich results, the e

rofessor Erich von Drygalski had been d

ng first built a station on that island and landed a scientific staff, who were to work there, while the m

ain Hans Ruser, a skilful seam

h knowledge and care, and it is certain that

wn. An extraordinarily complete oceanographical, meteorologica

er 31. The expedition stayed here a month, and then steered for the south to explore the region

the supposed position of Wilkes's Termination Land. Prog

and snow. A violent storm took the Gauss by surprise, collected a mass of icebergs around her, and filled up the intervening space with floe

They reached land in three and a half days, and there discovered a bare mountain, about 1,000 feet high

remely stormy and severe, but their winter harbour, under the lee of great stranded

n. From the time she reached the open sea until her arrival a

tific work had been accomplished of which the German nation may well be proud. Few Antarctic expeditions ha

rg on October 16, 1901, in the Antarctic, commanded by Captain C. A. Larse

en Island, a course was made for the South She

l Sea in the hope of getting southward along King Oscar II. Land, but the

materials for an observatory and winter quarters and the necessary

ed to prepare for a second winter. In the following spring, October, 1903, Nordenskj?ld made a sledge journey to explore the neighbourhood of Mount Haddington, and a closer examination showed that the mountain lay on

ings Dr. Gunnar Andersson, Lieutenant Duse, and their com

y had to give up the idea of getting through. Andersson, Duse and Grunden were then landed in the vicinity, to bring news to the winter quarter

hey had to have recourse, like Robinson Crusoe, to their inventive faculties. The most extraordinary contrivances were devised in

has some knowledge of Polar conditions must yiel

f his officers. Some anxiety had been felt owing to the absence of news of the Antarctic, and the Argentine Government had sent the Uruguay to the Sout

aptain Larsen with five of his men. They brought the sad intelligence that the good ship Antarctic was no

could. They certainly did not have an easy time, and I can imagine that the responsibilit

the expedition was lost by the sinking of th

view this expedition may be considered one of the m

otsman, Dr. William S.

drew Coats in Spitzbergen. The latter voyage was a fortunate one for Bruce, as it prov

of Mossman, Rudmose Brown and Dr. Pirie for the scientific work. In the following February the Antarctic Circle was crossed, and on the 2

e the sea rapidly shoaled to 159 fathoms. Further progress was impossible owing to ice. Hilly

e of his two expeditions of 1903 -- 1905 and 1908 -- 1910 he succeeded in opening up a large extent of the unknown continent. We o

chose one of the most difficult fields of the Antarctic zone to work in. The ice conditions here are extremely unfavourable, and navigation in the highest degree risky. A c

n perform. He gained his first experience of Antarctic exploration as a member of the British expedition in the Discovery, under Captain Scott. It was a good school. Scott, Wilson, and Shackleton, fo

ssary funds. He left England unheeded and loaded with debts in August, 1907, on board the Nimrod, bound for the South Pole. With surprising frankness he declared his intention of trying to reach the Pole itself. So far as I know, he was the first who ventured to say straight out that the Pole was his object. This hearty fr

ld; letter by letter, word by word, they ticked out the message, until it could be clearly read that one of the most wonderful achievements of Polar explor

greater triumph; seldom h

minds of English readers, it is unnecessary to recapitulate them here. A f

on the Antarctic continent with the necessary provisions and equipment, while the vesse

go eastward to King Edward VII. Land and explore it, the second was to go westwar

rifice the scientific utility of the expedition to a mere record-breaking journey, but say frank

d that the Nimrod shou

arded more as a reserve. Shackleton's experience was that the Ice Barrier was best suited for

to land the shore party in Barrier Inlet, which was practically the beginning of King Edward VII. Land; but it was found that Barrier Inlet had disappeared, owing to miles of the Barrier having calved away. In its place was a long, wide bay, which

II. Land, Shackleton turned to the west and took up

ssed. By the time lat. 84o was reached all the ponies were dead, and the men had to draw the sledges themselves. They were then faced by the long and difficult ascent of Beardmore Glacier, and it was not until seventeen days

arer proof of what men can accomplish when they exert their full strength of will and body. These men have raised a monument,

st brilliant incident in the h

l miles. The time occupied was 127 days -- 73 days out an

herefore to depend solely on their own powers. It seems almost incredible, but these men succeeded in working their way on foot over sea-ice and land-ice, cracks and crevasses, hard sno

the deck of the Nimrod, and could tell each other of their experiences. More than any of

tle corne