Belgica, Belgian Artic explorer ship

The 1897-1899 voyage of the Belgica from Antwerp to Antarctic made history for being the first expedition to survive an Antarctic winter.

Built in 1884 in Svelvig, Norway, the screw steamer Patria measured 36m(L) x 7.6m(W) x 4.1(H).  With its wooden hull, the ship weighed in at 336 tons.  Originally built for whaling, the ship was purchased by Adrien de Gerlache for the Belgian Antarctic Expedition in 1896.  He renamed the ship Belgica and left for Antarctica on 16 August 1897 from Antwerp, Belgium.  The ship and its crew became the first ever to spend the winter on the Antarctic when it became stuck in the ice on 28 February 1897.  Only 13 months later, after clearing a canal, did the crew manage to free the ship and return to Antwerp, Belgium on 5 November 1898.  The ship was later bought by the Duc d'Orléans who sailed with Adrien de Gerlache on several other expeditions.  The Belgica remained in service until 1913.