The North West Passage
Being the Record of a Voyage of Exploration of the Ship Gjøa 1903–1907
The North West Passage 2 Volume Set Series

From an early age Roald Amundsen (1872?1928) was determined to be an explorer. Having gained valuable experience on the Belgian Antarctic Expedition (1897?9), he resolved to conquer the North-West Passage. After three years, using a small fishing vessel, the Gjøa, and only six crew, Amundsen succeeded in reaching Nome, Alaska. First published in Norwegian in 1907, and reissued here in its 1908 English translation, this two-volume account is copiously illustrated with photographs. Volume 1 describes how the ship was chosen and its departure from Norway in June 1903. The men spent two winters on King William Island, learning much about survival from the local Inuit. The observatory they established collected magnetic data for almost two years as well as meteorological data, both of which added greatly to existing Arctic knowledge. Sledge journeys ascertained that the position of the North Magnetic Pole had changed little for more than seventy years.

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Making for the polar sea; 3. In virgin water; 4. The first winter; 5. Towards the pole; 6. Summer; 7. The second winter; 8. The inhabitants at the magnetic north pole.