On 12 May 1926, the Italian-built airship Norge achieved what is widely regarded as the first successful journey to the North Pole. The crew included Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, his American financial backer Lincoln Ellsworth, and Italian aviator and navigator Umberto Nobile. Departing from Spitzbergen, Norway, the airship flew over the pole and continued another 3,000 miles before landing at Teller, Alaska. At the pole, national flags were dropped, though Amundsen later noted that the Italian flags were larger than others, hinting at strained relations between the explorer and the navigator.
Safe Arrival of Amundsen: No Polar Land Discovered
On 17 May 1926, Captain Amundsen and his airship arrived safely in Alaska, having fulfilled his plan to pass over the Pole during his flight from King's Bay, Spitsbergen. He departed the previous Tuesday and made a forced landing at Teller, 73 miles north-east of Nome, at 2:00 AM on Saturday. Amundsen, Commander Ellsworth, and two companions reached Nome the following day. The airship was deflated at Teller and is to be shipped to the United States. Upon arrival, a party member stated that no polar land was discovered.
The Landing
Mr. Omdahl reported that no land was discovered, but the Norge performed admirably under challenging conditions. Fog and snow made it impossible to reach Nome, forcing a landing at Teller. The airship landed on ice, and the gas was immediately released, effectively dismantling the vessel. Riiser Larsen, the second in command, remained in charge.
Reception in Norway
News of the Norge's arrival spread rapidly throughout Norway. Special newspaper editions were published, streets were adorned with flags, and enthusiastic crowds gathered. The Storting erupted in excitement, and the government and numerous corporations sent congratulations, praising the expedition's achievement. The Norwegian prime minister instructed legations in Washington and Rome to extend congratulations to the American and Italian governments.
Rejoicing in Rome
In Italy, the news sparked delirious celebrations. Streets and public buildings were decorated with flags, and the Capitol bell rang for an extended period. A crowd gathered outside Colonel Nobile's home, where his wife appeared on the balcony to thank them. A deputation from the aircraft factory visited Mme Nobile, who wept with joy, offering warm congratulations.
Editorial: Amundsen
Amundsen is described as the shrewdest and luckiest of polar explorers. His shrewdness led him to the South Pole and back, while his safe return from near the North Pole last year was attributed to unprecedented luck, prompting him to switch to an airship for this year's expedition. The Norge's venture faced risks of blizzard and intense cold but was likely no more dangerous than the R34's Atlantic crossing. The journey's first half was uneventful, with only pack-ice and fog observed. Questions remain about whether Amundsen sighted any land between the Pole and Alaska and the feasibility of an airship service over the top.
The Norge's Polar Flight: Gasbag Cut by Flying Ice
Mr. Riiser Larsen described the voyage, noting thin ice and open water at the Pole, but no land discovered. The airship was airborne for 72 hours, spending considerable time at the Pole making observations, descending to within 630 feet of the ice. Over Point Barrow, an accident occurred: ice formed on the propellers and flew off, tearing a rent in the gasbag. Helium began to escape, making the airship heavy, but Teller was reached before the loss became fatal. Commander Ellsworth reported seeing a large quantity of open water at the Pole, answering long-standing geographical questions. He also observed some rocky islands, though not considered land. An American flag was dropped at the Pole, the third such flag placed there.
