Roald Amundsen - Through the Maze: The Northwest Passage

First Voyage
1897 - 1899

On his first voyage, aboard the Belgica, Amundsen helped the ship's crew survive thirteen months stuck in the Antarctic Copyright/Source

When he was 25, Amundsen went to Antarctica on the ship Belgica as first mate. Adrien De Gerlache de Gomery, a rich explorer from Belgium, was leading the expedition. Because De Gerlache was not experienced enough, the ship became stuck in the ice for thirteen months. This was the first time anyone had spent a winter in the Antarctic.

Tough Times
When the Belgica became trapped in ice, things were very serious. The ship was not equipped for a winter's stay in the Antarctic. They had no winter clothes, not enough food, and not enough lamps to light the ship's quarters.

Amundsen and the ship's doctor caught seals and penguins to eat, but the captain had an aversion to both meats. He forbid the crew to eat the fresh meat. The captain sickened and as first mate, Amundsen had to take over. He dug up the seal meat that had been thrown out beside the ship, had it cooked and everyone ate. Within a week all showed improvement.

The ship had a huge store of red blankets. He ordered them to be cut up and sewn into loose suits for the men.

Amundsen also organized the men on the ship to clear away the ice that was blocking their way. Partly because of his good leadership, the ship was saved.

Penguin Power
At one point the Belgica was trapped between two icebergs. The endless noise both day and night of the ice battering the sides of the ships and then splintering made it difficult to talk and sleep. The ship's physician, Dr. Cook, had a brilliant idea. The skins of penguins, killed for food, were made into mats and lowered over the edge of the ship. They absorbed some of the impact and muffled the noise.