ORGANISATION OF THE EXPEDITION
OFF CAPE VIRGIN, November, 29, 1897.
Quite as interesting as the work of an exploring expedition is
the story of the initial inception of the idea, and the various
experiences, fortunes and misfortunes of its projector. The difficulty
of Columbus in securing the necessary funds for his bold voyage
across the unknown waters of the west are familiar to all. A similar
difficulty has fallen to the lot of M. de Gerlache and every explorer
who, even in the modern days of progress and scientific enlightenment,
has tried to secure the necessary funds for a voyage of scientific
exploration. When an area equal to one sixth of the known land surface
of the globe still remains unexplored, it is easy to formulate plans
for journeys of discovery; but to secure the money for their execution
is quite another matter.
The ambition for antarctic exploration in Lieutenant de Gerlache’s mind
is an old story. “Exploration in general,” he says, “and antarctic
exploration in particular, has always had for me a particular
fascination. When Professor Nordenskjöld announced his project for
south polar exploration in 1892, I at once volunteered, but this, like
many other projected southern expeditions, never materialised. The
disappointment, however, only sharpened my ambition as did every one of
my many subsequent discouragements.”
In 1894 Lieut. de Gerlache presented his first paper to the Royal
Geographical Society of Brussels. It was the prospectus of this
expedition in its infancy. In it he made as strong a plea as possible
for aid to promote exploration of the long neglected antarctic.
The Society approved of the project, but offered, at that time, no
financial assistance and even delayed its moral support. Various
men of wealth were then appealed to, and after many disheartening
disappointments, he enlisted the interest of M. Solvay, a promoter
of science, “and with him the first glimmer of success dawned upon
the horizon of the enterprise which was the ‘apple of my eye’--the
projected Belgian Antarctic Expedition.”
Mr. Solvay laid the foundation of the fund with 25,000 francs, or
$5,000. In addition, he generously furnished the money for a visit to
the arctic regions, a necessary preliminary schooling for an antarctic
explorer. A leave without pay was obtained from the Navy to promote
the germinating interests of the coming expedition. In the early part
of 1895 Gerlache went to Norway, and with the Norwegian sealers to Jan
Mayen and to the East Greenland waters. Here he studied the life of the
sealers at work, their methods, and the strange animal life. He studied
the elements of ice navigation, and above all, caught the never-dying
fascination which enraptures every intruder into the white boreal
regions.
On his return from the Arctic Sea, the expedition had assumed a more
definite shape; the plan was matured, and definite arrangements were at
once instituted. A prospectus was sent to King Leopold with a request
for an audience, but it was refused. Gerlache then wrote a series of
five articles, calculated to awaken interest in south polar regions.
These were published and given much prominence by _L’Independance
Belge_. The articles, with the warm support of the press, aroused
the needed enthusiasm, and created the welcome public sentiment which
carried the project to its final issue.
The Geographical Society, on its next meeting, at the end of January,
1896, opened a subscription list, but the fund swelled slowly. With the
assistance of regimental festivities, cycling contests, exhibitions,
and the help of various special committees throughout Belgium, 120,000
francs ($24,000) were realised. The Government was then appealed to,
and it responded with a grant of 100,000 francs ($20,000). The total
sum was now $50,000. The road to success now seemed very easy, but
other and unexpected troubles followed. The $50,000, with the greatest
economy, did not suffice for the many unlooked-for contingencies.
Active preparations were begun early in June of 1896, though it was
hardly expected that the expedition would be able to start during that
year. Gerlache went to Norway, and there bought from Captain Pedersen
the _Patria_ according to a previous agreement, patriotically
rechristening her _Belgica_. She seemed to be about the only ship
of the Norwegian ice-fleet at all suitable for the expedition, and even
after she was secured Lieutenant de Gerlache had to arrange with Mr.
Christensen of Sandafjiord to put in a new boiler, and to make other
necessary alterations and repairs. At about this time, also, definite
arrangements were made with several of the prospective members of the
expedition--Messrs. Arctowski, Danco, and Amundsen were enlisted in
the project. In spite of many minor discouragements, the prospects now
really seemed bright; the expedition, it was felt, would surely embark.
But Gerlache was then again delayed, though undaunted, by finding
that the fund at his command was not sufficient to properly equip the
expedition.
The final preparations of the vessel, the purchase of the scientific
instruments, many of which were specially made, the want of ready
money, and a thousand little matters which needed attention combined to
delay the expedition. In addition to these drawbacks, other scientific
men were necessary to complete the staff. Special efforts were put
forth to secure a competent zoölogist, one who possessed qualities
essential to a polar explorer, and this proved one of the greatest
difficulties. Belgium and France were searched without avail, and
finally Mr. Racovitza was found in Rumania. But he was doing military
duty, and it was feared that the diplomatic arrangements essential for
his release would be slow. However, he was luckily freed at once to
join the growing family of pioneers.
For south polar exploration it is necessary to leave the northern
hemisphere in July or August. For it should be remembered that the
seasons in the south are the reverse of those of the north. January
is the midsummer of the antarctic. The vessels which are fitted to
withstand ice jamming are slow. The heavy cumbersome timbers, the
blunt bow, round bottom, fuel-saving engines and small canvas, are
all excellent for ice navigation, but they are decided impediments to
speed. The first of September was now at hand, and painful as was the
thought of a year’s delay, it proved unavoidable.
Lieutenant de Gerlache was in close communion with Commander Wandel of
Copenhagen who had charge of the Danish East Greenland Expedition. This
expedition in its scientific aims was more like the prospective Belgian
Expedition than any other venture, and furthermore Captain Wandel was
familiar with the United States exploring ship _Blake_, which had
done splendid work in ascertaining the depths of the Pacific. “From
Commander Wandel,” says Gerlache, “I obtained not only valuable data,
but much of his equipment at a nominal cost.” In this way the end of
the summer was spent in Denmark, and in a similar way the winter was
spent in Norway.
To visit Dr. Nansen, and to prepare himself more thoroughly for the
antarctic, Gerlache made his home in Norway during the early months
of winter. For a like reason Lieutenant Danco accompanied him; they
learned to travel on _skis_, and experimented with sledges,
winter clothing, and camp equipments. The best possible outfit was
selected for the intended sledge journeys over the virgin south polar
lands. Many condensed and preserved foods, admirably adapted for polar
journeys, are best obtained in Norway. From this experience it followed
that most of our provisions were Norwegian.
Returning from Norway with the _Belgica_ early in July 1897, he
found that all the money was spent, and still he needed many, very
many, important things. “Again,” says Gerlache, “I sought aid by
private subscriptions, and again we were doomed to disappointment.
We now decided on a desperate effort. It was to arrange a public
exhibition of the _Belgica_ and its entire equipment, and either
raise the additional financial support, or sell the whole outfit and
abandon the project. The exhibition was very largely attended by
the best people of Belgium, a fresh interest was created, and a new
patriotic pride now arose in behalf of the expedition.
“A subscription feast was prepared, which, through the indefatigable
efforts of Madame Osterrieth, became very popular and profitable. The
festivities were held at a public park in Antwerp which was handsomely
decorated for the occasion. Special military gymnastics and cycling
contests were among the attractions, the attendance was large, and the
welfare of the ‘Expedition Antartique Belge’ was on every tongue. The
occasion won for Madame Osterrieth the title of ‘Mother Antarctic,’ and
for the expedition ten thousand francs.
“Mr. Schollaert, the worthy Minister of the Interior, visited the
_Belgica_ as did many other deputies, and through them the
Government was asked for another sixty thousand francs--an amount
absolutely necessary to assure the successful issue of the expedition.
This was granted, making the entire fund from all sources three
hundred thousand francs, or about sixty thousand dollars. With this,
preparations were at once made to leave Antwerp and the departure was
announced for August 16th.
“Letters and telegrams with good wishes and friendly sentiments poured
in from all sides at the last moment. But of these I can only mention a
few:
“Captain Hovgaard of the Danish Navy, and a member of the famous Vega
Expedition wired his compliments and ‘Good Luck.’
“Dr. Neumayer, of Hamburg, who has advocated antarctic exploration for
twenty-five years wired: ‘My most sincere wishes follow you toward the
south pole.’
“Fridtjof Nansen, whose star of fame had just risen, wired: ‘Chance
and luck follow you and the _Belgica_. May the voyage bring such
rich scientific results as the careful preparations promise, and may it
throw a new light over the darkest part of the world.’
“We weighed anchor and drew out of Antwerp on August 16th. Many people
gathered to see the starting, and all Antwerp seemed on foot to wish
us _bon voyage_. Representatives from many French societies were
there to congratulate us on our good fortune with the organisation, and
to wish the expedition unbounded success. The yachts of the Antwerp
Yacht Club, under whose flag the _Belgica_ sailed, showed their
interest by salutations and a rich bedecking of flags. Amid the storm
of cheers from the people on the quays, the tooting of whistles from
neighbouring crafts, and the thundering of cannons from places which
we knew not, we slowly withdrew. After a few hours Antwerp, with its
friendly hilarity and its bustling activity, sank from view. Then,
after a breath of ease and a moment of reflection, we felt that the
hardest part of our work had been accomplished. At last the hard-earned
project was afloat, and, as if to force the pride of our work upon us,
the Dutch cruiser _Kartenaar_ followed us out to sea in company
for twenty-four hours, an indication of neighbourly affection which
we keenly appreciated. This we afterwards learned was by order of the
Dutch Queen Wilhelmina.
“Head winds, against which no progress could be made, and a small
accident to the engine, made it necessary to put into Ostend. Here his
Majesty, King Leopold, visited us, offering many congratulations on the
success of the difficult task of organising the first Belgian polar
expedition. His Majesty took a sharp interest in the _Belgica_,
and closely examined her many peculiar fixtures, finally offering his
hand and many words of warm encouragement befitting the occasion.
“During the few hot days of August, which were spent at Ostend, a
teeming mass of fellow-countrymen and women crowded the decks of the
_Belgica_. It seemed, with the vessel loaded so heavily, with
every cubic foot of space occupied, and even the bunks and state-rooms
piled full of useful articles, so that there was really no room for
curiosity seekers, as if all Ostend, and a good part of the outside
world, had been aboard. There came a time, however, when the ship
must leave, when we must finally sever ourselves from the friendly
atmosphere of our beloved native land, and leave our friends behind for
the second and last time until our return.”
It was on the eve of the final departure from home, by the way, that
my own name was first suggested as a future companion. There had
been considerable trouble and some disappointment in connection with
the surgeons appointed. The first candidate was put aside, after
acceptance, for personal reasons, and the second declined to go at
the last moment for family reasons. Without a knowledge of this
difficulty I cabled, volunteering my services, though at this time I
had not previously written a line, nor was I acquainted with a single
individual of the expedition, or its representatives. In response to my
cable I received this:
1 B H WH 11 OSTENDE, 10.45P (Via 369 Fulton St Brooklyn,)
DR COOK,
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
FOUVEZ REJOINDRE MONTEVIDEO MAIS HIVERNEREZ PAS
GERLACHE.
To this I answered yes, and it was followed by, “Meet us at Rio, end of
September.” I had only a few days to prepare myself and my outfit for
a journey which might take one year, or ten, or a lifetime. But I was
determined to go, and so it came about that in September I found myself
on the way to meet my prospective companions on the unfriendly bosom
of the Atlantic, seasick and miserable from rough weather and tropical
heat. I should have had a longer time to afford better means to prepare
for a journey of this kind. To consent by cable to cast my lot in a
battle against the supposed unsurmountable icy barriers of the south,
with total strangers, men from another continent, speaking a language
strange to me, does indeed seem rash. But I never had cause to regret
it. The antarctic has always been the dream of my life, and to be on
the way to it was then my ideal of happiness. To be on the way from it
was an ambition quite as strong two years later.
Captain Lecointe describes the final departure and the voyage down the
Atlantic thus: “There was a great storm of sentimental and serious
enthusiasm as we left Ostend on August 24th. Fathers and mothers,
brothers and sisters, and other men’s sisters were there to press upon
us their last tokens of love. This was done in different ways. Some
cried, others laughed and took the matter in a good humor, and still
others were angry that one of their number should, with eyes open, go
from a warm home to what was predicted to be a certain icy grave. Many
of the old seamen about gave gratuitous advice to our friends, based
upon their own experiences about Cape Horn, which in substance was
generally ‘these men will never return.’ As the _Belgica_ drew out
from the docks and we saw for the last time for many months the red
faces of sadness, the pale faces of anxiety, the waving handkerchiefs,
and as we felt the parting girlish kisses coming with the soft breezes,
we were, indeed, half sorry to leave our little land of home delights.
Amid the cheer of enthusiastic voices and the thunder of salutations
from whistles and guns we glided out into the broad Atlantic, whose
beating swells were henceforth to be our home and our highway to the
chosen field of action, the snowy south polar regions.”
[Illustration: The Belgica.]