Baron De Gerlache

M., H. R.

doi:10.1038/134961a0

Obituary
Published: 22 December 1934

Baron De Gerlache

H. R. M.

Nature volume 134, page 961 (1934)Cite this article

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Abstract

ADRIEN DE GERLACHE BE GOMERY died in his sixty-ninth year on December 4. When a young lieutenant in the Belgian navy, he conceived the idea of organising an expedition of his own to explore ihe antarctic regions and had his plans complete in 1894 for a voyage of adventurous discovery. Before he succeeded in raising the very modest sum needed to purchase and equip the Belgica, he was induced to make scientific research the main object of the expedition, and with this in view he secured the voluntary help of a group of enthusiastic young specialists including Prof. H. Arctowski as geologist and Dr. F. A. Cook, the only member with polar experience, as surgeon. Roald Amundsen was first officer and the crew was half Belgian and half Norwegian. The Belgica sailed in August 1897 and spent some time amongst the islands of Tierra del Fuego, not reaching Hughes Gulf on the coast of Palmer Land until January 23, 1898. Here Gerlache discovered the strait which now bears his name cutting off three large islands from the northern extension of Graham Land. He explored and charted the coasts of this strait and large geological and natural history collections were made. The commander and his scientific staff were now at cross-purposes. He aspired to push on, perhaps to the Pole; they were anxious to remain investigating the rocks and glaciers, birds and marine organisms of a region never before touched by science. The ship went on.