ROALD AMUNDSEN

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1928, Page 8

ROALD AMUNDSEN

HIS FEATS AND FRIENDSHIP. .Most characteristic of Roald Amundsen was li is thoroughness, manifested above all in the way he prepared himself for his life’s work. A.s a Irul of fifteen he went to sea belore the mast, and when he graduated for the university lie was an able seaman. 1 lie following period was occupied with a year of seal-hunting in the Arctic, a year of navigation training, a year of training on ski in the mountains, during winch time he did not sleep a single night under a roof, two years ol work in the Antarctic with De Gerlaclie on the Bclgica, and, finally, one year’s theoretic studies on magnetism at the University of Olso. Only then he felt himself competent for his first voyage: To navigate the North-West Passage and to go to the Magnetic North Pole. It was often said that Would Amundsen’s success was due primarily to luck. Those who knew him personally could tell that his success .is due to the most minute calculations and to a forethought almost incredible. How exact were bis estimates may i.e gathered by the fact that when he laid his plans tor the South Pole expedition in Olso in .September, IDOL), lie fixed the return to the base to January 2d, 1912. On January 2d, 1912, his South Pole party drove into the lamous l'rainheim with the last dog team. No details were insignificant to him, and his men relied on him absolutely. Offences against discipline were unknown of lus expeditions, and his companions loved lum and served him devotedly. He always shared all their work, including that oi cooking. A UNIQUE BIRTHDAY PREBENT. Ronald Amundsen devised one ol the most original birthday presents in history. That was during the trying years when he attempted to drill with h.s ship, .Maud, in the ice to the North Pole. Amundsen always had a surprise tor his followers on their birthday. The birthday of one of them approached. What was going to happen Amundsen put his ship up in a harbour and disappeared for more than a week. Nobody onservod Ins return, which took place during the night, preceding his birthday, hut when the hero ol the day auoke lie found himself face to lace witn his wife, Amundsen had fetched her the long way from Norway, halt round the globe, and his week ol disappearance he had used to accompany her from Nome to the anchor-place of the Maud. RELATION'S WITH RIVALS. Roald Amundsen was often accused of disloyalty toward Scott in the South Pole incident. T his accusation was unjust, and Amundsen felt it deeply. His oiigmal plan was to go to the North Pole, lint when just before the start reports arrived that Peary had conquered the North Pole on April G. 1909, Amundson, after consultation with Nansen, decided to go to the still tinconquered South Pole instead. True, lie did not make Ins altered plans public till alter he had left Norway, but lie sent a cubic to Scott, who at that time was at New Zealand oil Ids way soutiiways. TVs character had not altered when, fourteen years later lie was awaiting the dirigible Norge in Kiiigsbuy, Spitsbergen. to take him via the North Pole to Alaska. Among those preparing to jump to the North Pole from Kingsbay was Commander Byrd. Roald Amundsen readily advised Byrd about the equipments ol his (lying machine for the Pole llight. and thus enabled Byrd to accomplish his flight some days before Amundsen himself could start. Tin* first to embrace and congratulate Byrd on his success after the return was Amundsen. If he had been more ruthless lie might easily have acquired a large fortune, but lie died a bankrupt. THE LAST’ EFFORT. For the last years lie lived quite atone in. a small house some miles outside Olso. He had to do all the housework himself, including washing ami cooking. This spring some, of lus old •companions caii.e to his house one night, and, in reply to the knocking on the door. Amundsen went out to sec who it was. Seeing his old comrades lie invited them to stop in and have a talk. “ \Yc mean to stay,” was their answer. “Sorry.” said Amundsen, “hut .1 can entertain no guests. There is no one except myself in the house.” “We know. That is why w.e have come. You need help and company, and here we are.’’ They stayed, and so it happened that so many old travellers were present when Wilkins and Eielson. early this summer on their way to America from their frans-polar flight, paid their visit of homage to the expioier. It was during a banquet, with Wilkins and Eielson as guests, and with everyone of Arctic renown present, that an ungent cable ariivod from the Italian Government on. Whitsuntidc ore asking for assistance to rescue the Italia crew and Genera! Nobile. Dead silence reigned in the banqueting room when the telegram was read, and all eyes were fixed on Amundsen. His reply came with not a second’s hesitation : “Right-away. Say that 1 am ivndv to go at once. ’