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The Antarctic Voyage of the "Belgica" during the Years 1897, 1898, and 1899

1901; Wiley; Volume: 18; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/1775722

1475-4959

Henryk Arctowski,

Polar Research and Ecology

a private undertaking subsidized by the Belgian Government.The initiative was due to Commander de Gerlache, who, from 1894 onwards, had entertained a wish to undertake a voyage of exploration to the south pole.This wish he expressed to various persons, including among others certain members of the Council of the Royal Belgian Geographical Society.It was one of these latter-M.Lancaster, I believe -who suggested to de Gerlache the plan of a scientific voyage, in the place of one of adventure-an idea which made its way in course of time.M. de Gerlache encountered difficulties from the very beginning.A scheme submitted to his Majesty King Leopold failed to gain his approval, and the original application for a grant of 800,000 francs (?32,000) yielded to a more modest programme involving an outlay of ?12,000 only-with which comparatively small sum de Gerlache succeeded in covering the whole cost of the enterprise.Early in 1896 the Brussels Geographical Society, which gave its patronage to the project, organized a national subscription.The first 25,000 francs (?1000) were subscribed by M. Ernest Solvay, the well-known patron of research.Other important gifts, with subscription lists opened by local committees in the principal Belgian towns, the proceeds of lectures, fetes, etc., helped the sum total to rise by degrees, while at the end of June, 1896, the sum of ?4000 was unanimously voted by parliament.In spite of this, however, want of funds delayed the preparations, and the departure of the expedition was put off for a year.The vessel chosen was the smallest of the Norwegian whalers, formerly the Patria, which was purchased by de Gerlache for the sum of 70,000 francs (?2800).Although of recent construction, the Patria underwent some necessary repairs and alteration of fittings for the new services demanded of her.On July 5 the vessel was rechristened with the name Belgica.The ship was a three-masted barque, 100 feet long, with a displacement of 250 tons, and auxiliary engines of 150 horse-power.The hull was protected by a casing of hard wood, to add strength and afford protection against the friction of the ice.Aft, on the deck, were placed the cabins of the officers and of the scientific staff, while in the fore part, under the bridge, a laboratory was rigged out.While these preparations were being made at Sandefiord, in Norway, the complete scientific equipment was ordered from the best makers in Europe, and our instruments were thus brought together from Paris, Vienna, Copenhagen, London, Berlin, Jena, etc.The purchase of stores, furs, and the whole equipment of the polar explorer likewise required much time and forethought.Even though we had more than a year at our disposal for these preparations, time fell short in the end, and in spite of all our efforts it was Inecessary to put off the date of departure.Funds, too, were lacking, for it soon became evident that the 233,000 francs (?9320) collected were not sufficient, and it was only on the Government again coming forward with a credit of 2B2