WHAT:
Antarctic Huts
WHERE:
Southern shore of Ridley Beach, ~1.7 km southwest of Cape Adare, Antarctica
LOCATION:
WHEN:
1899
WHO:
Carsten Borchgrevink & Crew
DETAILS:
Borchgrevink’s expedition constructed the first buildings in Antarctica during their 1899 mission. The main hut, made of interlocking boards secured with steel tie rods, featured double-insulated floors and walls lined with papier-mâché for warmth. Its roof was covered with seal skins, weighted with coal bags and boulders, while double-glazed windows and shutters retained heat. Inside, sliding panels and curtains offered privacy, and a borrowed ship’s saloon lamp provided lighting.
A smaller hut initially served as storage for medical supplies and provisions but later became Borchgrevink’s private study, with additional rooms for a darkroom and equipment storage. The two huts were connected by an extended roofline covered with sails and seal skins for wind protection and extra storage. These innovative structures were key to the expedition’s survival in the harsh Antarctic conditions.
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