An interesting series of soundings was made between Cape Horn and the South Shetlands.  As these waters had not previously been investigated, these soundings were, of course, of great importance.

The principal work of the expedition, from a geographical point of view, was carried out on the north coast of Graham Land.

A large channel running to the south-west was discovered, dividing a part of Palmer Land from the mainland —­ Danco’s Land.  The strait was afterwards named by the Belgian authorities “Gerlache Strait.”  Three weeks were spent in charting it and making scientific observations.  An excellent collection of material was made.

This work was completed by February 12, and the Belgica left Gerlache Strait southward along the coast of Graham Land, at a date when all previous expeditions had been in a hurry to turn their faces homeward.

On the 15th the Antarctic Circle was crossed on a south-westerly course.  Next day they sighted Alexander Land, but could not approach nearer to it than twenty miles on account of impenetrable pack-ice.

On February 28 they had reached lat. 70deg. 20’ S. and long. 85deg.  W. Then a breeze from the north sprang up and opened large channels in the ice, leading southward.  They turned to the south, and plunged at haphazard into the Antarctic floes.

On March 3 they reached lat. 70deg. 30’ S., where all further progress was hopeless.  An attempt to get out again was in vain —­ they were caught in the trap.  They then had to make the best of it.

Many have been disposed to blame Gerlache for having gone into the ice, badly equipped as he was, at a time of year when he ought rather to have been making his way out, and they may be right.  But let us look at the question from the other side as well.

After years of effort he had at last succeeded in getting the expedition away.  Gerlache knew for a certainty that unless he returned with results that would please the public, he might just as well never return at all.  Then the thickly packed ice opened, and long channels appeared, leading as far southward as the eye could reach.  Who could tell?  Perhaps they led to the Pole itself.  There was little to lose, much to gain; he decided to risk it.

Of course, it was not right, but we can easily understand it.

The Belgica now had thirteen long months before her.  Preparations were commenced at once for the winter.  As many seals and penguins as could be found were shot, and placed in store.

The scientific staff was constantly active, and brilliant oceanographical, meteorological, and magnetic work was accomplished.

On May 17 the sun disappeared, not to be seen again for seventy days.  The first Antarctic night had begun.  What would it bring?  The Belgica was not fitted for wintering in the ice.  For one thing, personal equipment was insufficient.  They had to do the best they could by making clothes out of blankets, and the most extraordinary devices were contrived in the course of the winter.  Necessity is the mother of invention.