Fritz Gottlieb Zapffe is a pharmacist and correspondent for newspaper Morgenbladet in Tromsø. For several days he has wondered about the man who often passes by his window on the way down to the harbour.
Monday, 25 November 1901.
Amundsen has his slides prepared and has titled his lecture
"An intended research voyage to the North Magnetic Pole."
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Newspaper notice for the meeting of the Norwegian Geographical Society. Dagbladet, 23.11.1901
On display in front of the lectern is some polar literature. As advertised, there are two lectures in the University's auditorium this evening. Society chairman Hans Henrik Reusch gives his presentation on permafrost, and then it is Amundsen's turn.
Amundsen says that the start of the expedition is set for the spring of 1903, that there will be seven men on board with provisions for four years, and that Gjøa is a vessel that will be easy to navigate in the shallow waters.
On the slides, the audience can see portraits of Neumayer and Sir John Ross, pictures of Gjøa, some Inuit people and a map of the Arctic with the route marked.
Amundsen talks mostly about the North Magnetic Pole.
The Northwest Passage is mentioned in only one sentence, and then as a practical route home.
Although the plan is now public, Amundsen still lacks money, equipment, knowledge, and a crew.
