The Belgica & Beyond
amateur translations, scans, & assorted research by m.w.
actively under construction.
WRITTEN FROM THE BELGICA 1897-1899
CORRESPONDENCE
- coverage in the Belgian press, translated
- coverage in the British press
- coverage in the American press
- scientific lectures, translated
- list of Expedition publications a) Lecointe on Danco’s contributions
QUELQUES EXPÉDITIONS SUIVANTES
- de Gerlache & Charcot (the Français)
de Gerlache & the Duke of Orléans (the Belgica in the Arctic) - the failed Second Belgian Antarctic Expedition (Arctowski & Lecointe)
- the successful Second Belgian Antarctic Expedition (Gaston de Gerlache)
- the Royal Belgian Observatory
Georges Lecointe’s 20th Century
MARRIAGES & OTHER LIFE EVENTS
Lecointe Family Arctowski - de Gerlache
- Racovitza
- van Mirlo
- van Rysselberghe
ASSORTED BELGICA RESOURCES
- bibliography
- associated persons
- contemporary photographs
the sailors of the Belgica performing a “starlight concert” on Sept. 26, 1897, from Johan Koren’s diary
contact: packloafertranslations@gmail.com
Racovitza’s cartoons
Ever since the start of the voyage Racovitza had been in the habit of disappearing at the same time every evening and going to his laboratory to write up his journal and ponder the events of the day: the little disputes between two colleagues, the theories that had been developed, particular words mentioned by one or other of us. The resulting caricature that he concocted was a treat we all looked forward to with impatience.
— ADRIEN DE GERLACHE, FIFTEEN MONTHS IN THE ANTARCTIC
These caricatures were preserved by Roald Amundsen after the journey and compiled and scanned by the
translating such a good joke feels sacriligeous. the man pictured is Artocho, Racovitza’s caricature of Henryk Arctowski, the meteorologist. he’s working. his ass is fat and he’s working and you mustn’t disturb him, not even if you’re a bird or a seal or a penguin, because he’s got an enormous, swearing aurora to consider. he seems rather anxious about how he’ll record the ‘five letter word’ that appeared in the sky that day.
15 march 1898
WORDLESS TALES: STORY OF TWO SCIENTISTS AND TWO ASSISTANTS
“Arctowski, aided by his inseparable friend Dobrowolski, has planted a stake to measure the quantity of snow that has fallen. From the direction of the magnetic observatory one can see Danco’s head depicted in a corner, watching them. When Arctowski comes back on board Danco emerges from his hiding place, and followed by his assistant Dufour goes off to hammer the stake deeper into the snow with a mallet before returning once more to his observation post. Arctowski returns to measure the snowfall: dumbfounded to see the stake almost buried in the snow in such a short time he raises his arms to the heavens to indicate his stupefaction. The final scene shows him back in his laboratory compiling his report.”
— ADRIEN DE GERLACHE, FIFTEEN MONTHS IN THE ANTARCTIC
— ADRIEN DE GERLACHE, FIFTEEN MONTHS IN THE ANTARCTIC
de Gerlache’s memory is, understandably, imperfect. The comic actually shows Dobrowolski returning to find the buried stake and dropping his book “to indicate his stupefaction.” On the second page, Dobrowolski goes to wake Arctowski — note the pile of his clothing on the floor, a habit Lecointe described in ch. 23 of his In the Land of the Penguins — and Arctowski, unaware that he’s being observed by Danco and Dufour, dutifully measures the false snowfall and makes his report.
The theme of “Danco vs. Arctowski” shows up a few times throughout Raco’s cartoons. Danco is usually portrayed as a gangly, balding man with a short dark beard, eager to disturb the hard work of the small, hairy Mister Artoscho and his distinguished buttocks. In the above comic, Danco enlists his assistant, Gustave Dufour. Below, he’s chosen his fists:
DANCO ARCTOWSKI
12 march 1898
Here, Danco (top) is portrayed in contrast with Arctowski (bottom), to comedic effect. Clearly, Danco was much larger. (As a matter of fact, both Racovitza and Danco were so tall that their bunks had to be extended by multiple inches, according to Lecointe.)
I’ve translated “gruau” as “oatmeal” here according to Gaston de Gerlache de Gomery’s translation of his father’s writing. Based on the flags, I believe Danco may have attempted to call Arctowski to breakfast before he’d finished taking his hourly observations. Coincidentally, the only mention of “gruau” I’ve found in an expedition publication to date comes from de Gerlache’s account of the excursion on Brabant Island (Danco and Arctowski were both present):
“For much of the time since we had come ashore the fog and bad weather had condemned us to idleness, and we were living a sybaritic life in our fragile home, getting up late and going to bed early, eating much and often to pass the time. Danco in particular had a ravenous appetite and the little stove was hardly ever out of work. The tent was almost constantly filled with the aromas of cocoa or the good and cheering smell of pea soup or oatmeal porridge.”
— ADRIEN DE GERLACHE, FIFTEEN MONTHS IN THE ANTARCTIC
— ADRIEN DE GERLACHE, FIFTEEN MONTHS IN THE ANTARCTIC
note: “Voici ce que c’est” could be translated in a number of ways, but it reappears as a sort of catchphrase for the Artocho character and seems to largely mean “here’s the deal,” “here’s what’s what,” or something similar.
A prediction of Lecointe’s future.
note: “Je continue” could be translated in a number of ways, but it reappears as a sort of catchphrase for the Artocho character and seems to largely mean “I’m working,” “I’m busy,” or something similar.
note: the noun “chute” is misspelled in the original. Racovitza originally wrote “chutted,” changed it to “chuttez,” and landed on “chutte,” which is why I’ve rendered “fall” as “fal” in English.
note: “souvenir” can be interpreted as both the English word “souvenir” and “memory.” this appears to be a recollection of the crew’s time in Madeira, when they rode mules through steep countryside.
note: this appears to be part of the same “Salon de 1920” series as the Colonel Lecointe drawing above.
the original caption of this drawing is in English, but I have provided my transcription for legibility purposes. the man depicted directly above the caption is Artocho (Arctowski).
note: this could also say “soir” rather than “joie,” which would render the translation as “the evening of diagonal calculations.” this appears to be a(n unsually detailed) portrait of Lecointe doing some of the cartographic calculations.
for more on the rat hunt, see Raco’s lectures.
this cartoon depicts Dr. Frederick A. Cook in one of his prototype Antarctic tents.
Arctowski has digestive troubles.
Racovitza’s wording here is “l’aurore Artoçale,” an “Artocho”-themed pun on the French for the southern lights: l’aurore autsrale. One of Artocho’s penguin students is defecating on his boot as he speaks.
Malines is the French name for the Belgian city Mechelen, situated near Antwerp. It is Émile Danco’s hometown. Based on the location and the patchy hair, the man sprawled on the sidewalk must be Danco. He is holding his hat out like a beggar as he crawls after the other figure in the frame, a woman who is urinating in the street. It is unclear whether Danco approached her before or after she began to urinate — is she completely oblivious to his presence, or is she so perturbed by it that pissing on him is her only recourse? Her expression could lend itself to both these readings:
Either way, Danco’s desperation is painfully evident. He yearns for attention and companionship (or, less generously, for sex) so deeply that he is willing to endure every humiliation life might throw his way. Or maybe he yearns for urine — he’s awfully close to her puddle. Whatever this fictitious Danco may desire, Racovitza’s negative impression of Malines is clear: this is all the city has to offer in the way of “pleasures.” No wonder Danco was so eager to leave.