Roald Amundsen participant in Belgian Antarctic Expedition
Polar treks
Belgian Antarctic Expedition
Amundsen joined the Belgian Antarctic Expedition as first mate at the age of 25 in 1897. This expedition, led by Adrien de Gerlache using the ship the RV Belgica, became the first expedition to overwinter in Antarctica. The Belgica, whether by mistake or design, became locked in the sea ice at 70°30′S off Alexander Island, west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The crew endured a winter for which they were poorly prepared.
By Amundsen's own estimation, the doctor for the expedition, the American Frederick Cook, probably saved the crew from scurvy by hunting for animals and feeding the crew fresh meat. In cases where citrus fruits are lacking, uncooked meat – particularly offal – from animals often contain enough of the vitamin to prevent scurvy and even partly treat it. This was an important lesson for Amundsen's future expeditions. Amundsen and Cook later took over command of the ship when De Gerlache became severely ill.
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