Pocket Knife: Roald Amundsen

Production date
1900-1910
 Description
One black and metal pocket knife owned by Roald Amundsen. 'Syd Polen 12/14/11' is carved into the handle on one side and the initials 'R.A.' on the other.
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Object Detail

Production place
Norway/Scandinavia/Europe
Collecting unit
Antarctica
Measurements
Measurement (HxWxD): whole: 15 x 27 x 93mm
Dimensions (LxWxH): whole: 158 x 22 x 18mm
Researcher comments/remarks
On 14 December 1911, a party of Norwegians led by Roald Amundsen and accompanied by 16 dogs, reached the southern extremity of the earth. The South Pole had been conquered. To mark the historic event, Oscar Wisting, a member of the party, borrowed Amundsen’s pocket knife to sharpen a bamboo pole to which the flag of Norway was attached. All five men of the party then grasped the pole and drove it into the snow. After the ceremony, items such as pipes and belts of a personal nature as well as this pocket knife, were scratched with the owner’s initials and a date. This knife bears the inscription “R.A. Sudpolin. 14.12.11”. Treasured by Amundsen it was gifted to Haakon H. Hammer is appreciation of finance provided in fitting out the vessel Maud in Seattle for a planned Arctic venture in 1922. Hammer’s widow offered it to Canterbury Museum in 1977 and Sir Robertson Stewart and Peter Skellerup arranged the purchase.
Associated person
Associated person notes
Leader of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition, 1910-12.
Associated place
South Pole/Antarctica
Associated place notes
Used to sharpen the bamboo pole that flew the first flag at the South Pole.
Associated event
Norwegian Antarctic Expedition 1910 - 1912 (Fram)
Associated notes
Used by Oscar Wisting to sharpen the bamboo stake from which the Norwegian flag was flown at the South Pole.
Other id
199/80
YES
A180.28
A180.28
Catalogue No.
A180.28
Accession number
1980.199.1

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