Belgica

The expedition of the "Scotia" showed the great depth of the Weddell Sea area, and the attention paid to soundings surroundings? on other expeditions - notably that of the "Belgica" - has defined the beginning of a continental shelf which it cannot be doubted slopes up to land not yet sighted.

Perspective of Antarctica in 1911 2009

"The place was two miles long and half a mile wide, and protected by no less than ten sea-batteries and two strong forts -- one called Belgica, and the other Nassau.

Old Jack William Henry Giles Kingston 1847

The "Belgica" found rather more westerly than easterly winds in her drift; easterly winds predominating in summer, westerly winds in winter.

Perspective of Antarctica in 1911 2009

At Cape Adare it was 29-13 inches for 1890, in the "Belgica" 29-31 inches for 1898, and in the "Gauss" 29-13 inches for 1902.

Perspective of Antarctica in 1911 2009

On Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition the lowest temperature was - 57°; but no other expedition met temperatures lower than - 45. 6° on the "Belgica," -43.1 "at Cape Adare, and - 41. 4° on the" Gauss. "

Perspective of Antarctica in 1911 2009

Belgica Ramirez, Gomez's sister-in-law, said she could imagine how they will all want to embrace.

Chile mine rescue underway; 8 hoisted safely to surface Juan Forero 2010

However, de Gerlache pushed the expedition south late into the season, and in March 1898, the Belgica became locked in sea ice; drifting with the ice floe for thirteen months in the Bellinghausen Sea before getting free.

The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration 2009

As the Belgica was struggling to break free of its ice prison, Carsten Borchgrevink returned to Cape Adare, as head of the Southern Cross Expedition.

The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration 2009

Also, the Belgica expedition learned much about the challenges of overwintering that would be used by later expeditions.

The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration 2009

Kept south late in the season by de Gerlache, the Belgica, of which Amundsen was second in command, became locked in ice in the Bellinghausen Sea for thirteen months before getting free.

Amundsen and Scott at the South Pole 2009