Death on the Ice (2009) by Robert Ryan

Author:Robert Ryan [Ryan, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781480477667
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2014-02-25T19:10:00+00:00

Thirty-eight

Letter Written from Madeira by Roald Amundsen to Fridtjof Nansen, August 1910

Herr Professor Fridtjof Nansen,

I have dreaded sending this letter, but there is nothing for it now.

I beg you to read it carefully and consider my position.

Cook and Peary, with their claims for the Pole, killed my enterprise in the North stone dead. I was dismayed at the news.

This meant with the North probably gone, or at least sullied by claim and counter-claim, there remained only one goal left for me. The South.

So, it pains me to admit, in September 1909, I decided that I would change my ambitions from the conquered North to the unconquered South. Since then, there has not been a day when I haven’t been tempted to blurt out the truth. I even wished Scott would somehow discover my new plans, because it would mean an end to subterfuge. Of course, I intend to rendezvous with Terra Nova and explain myself.

It is not my intention to follow in the footsteps of the English. If I am to succeed for Norway, I must forge my own route. I will not use Scott or Shackleton’s bases or landing points.

I hope you understand, no other option was open to me.

All this has been done in the utmost secrecy. I have written to the King to explain my change of plan, but even my crew have been kept in the dark. I shall announce the new mission shortly, and see how they vote. At the same time my brother Leon will inform the press and Captain Scott.

So again, I beg you not to judge me too severely. I am no thief nor, by nature, a deceiver. The change of events has forced this upon me. I beg forgiveness for any ire I may have caused. Perhaps my work in Antarctica will in some way compensate for the manner of my arrival there.

With my most respectful greetings,

Roald Amundsen

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