Exploring cultures and communities – the slow way

Polar Quest: Nobile

An appeal for help

  • — Date of event: Saturday 26, May 1928 —

Roald Amundsen present at Aftenposten's dinner in Oslo

article summary —

Roald Amundsen present at Aftenposten's dinner in Oslo

It so happened that a luncheon was taking place in Oslo that very day, hosted by the Aftenposten newspaper, that brought together many leading polar explorers and pioneer aviators, among them Roald Amundsen. The buoyant and upbeat atmosphere is dampened when a telegram arrives from Aftenposten’s Spitsbergen correspondent, announcing that the airship Italia has not returned. A few minutes later come the news that the government of Italy, increasingly concerned at the lack of news from the Italia, has contacted the Norwegian authorities in Oslo. The saddle of lamb and French claret at the Dronningen now suddenly seem irrelevant, and the assembled experts consider if and how a search and rescue mission might be mounted.

On the ice pack, around the wreckage of the Italia, the survivors are assessing the situation. It is nothing short of desperate. Bits and pieces of radio equipment lie scattered around, but nothing that can be used immediately to send out a message. A few boxes of food are within reach: some chocolate and some pemmican.

This article was published in Polar Quest: Nobile.

About The Authors

hidden europe

and manage hidden europe, a Berlin-based editorial bureau that supplies text and images to media across Europe. Together they edit hidden europe magazine. Nicky and Susanne are dedicated slow travellers. They delight in discovering the exotic in the everyday.

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