Pennant of Antarctic ship Belgica recognised as cultural heritage
The pennant of the Belgica, the ship used by Adrien de Gerlache during his late 19th-century Antarctic expedition, has been officially added to the Flemish Community’s list of movable cultural heritage. This decision was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on Wednesday.
Measuring approximately 92 cm high and 160 cm wide, the red and white pennant once flew from the Belgica’s mast during its historic journey to Antarctica. It bears the letters "Y" and "C," referring to the Royal Yacht Club of Belgium in Antwerp.
Unexpected hardship
The Belgica, originally a Norwegian seal-hunting vessel, set sail from Antwerp on 16 August 1897 under the command of Belgian naval officer Adrien de Gerlache. At the time, Antarctica remained the last uncharted region on the world map. The expedition took an unexpected turn when the ship became trapped in ice, forcing the crew to endure an unplanned winter in the harsh polar conditions.
Stranded for a year, the young, international crew faced extreme cold, illness from poor nutrition and the mental strain of months without daylight. Despite these hardships, they carried out pioneering scientific research, such as mapping new areas which now bear Belgian names and documenting previously unknown flora and fauna.
The crew spent weeks sawing through the ice to free their ship. Just before the onset of a second polar winter, the Belgica finally broke free and returned to Belgium, docking in Antwerp on 5 November 1899.
Belgium pays tribute
"The pennant, as a witness to the voyage of discovery, illustrates the important contribution of the expedition to science and the fame of Belgium in Antarctic research," said Flemish minister of culture Caroline Gennez (Vooruit). "The piece, therefore, has a special value for the collective memory."
After the expedition, De Gerlache donated the pennant to the Royal Yacht Club of Belgium, where it still hangs in the Antwerp clubhouse. Recently, the MAS museum in Antwerp had an exhibition showcasing photographs and diaries from the historic journey.
#FlandersNewsService | Archival photo of Belgica expedition to Antartica © PHOTO DE GERLACHE POLAR MEMORY ASBL / VZW
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