Byrd Antarctic Expedition

On the Antarctic expedition of Admiral Byrd; 1928-1930. Shows panoramic shots of the Ross Barrier Ice. Admiral Byrd examines crevasses. Penguins welcome the group. Supplies are unloaded from the barge. Dog sledges cross the ice.

Historical context

The first Byrd Antarctic Expedition (1928-1930), led by Richard E. Byrd, was a pioneering endeavour to explore Antarctica and conduct scientific research. Funded by private donations and government support, the 1928 expedition began with the establishment of a base camp to conduct scientific research in Antarctica. Byrd and his team sailed from New York City on 30 September 1928 aboard the SS City of New York. In January 1929, they reached the Bay of Whales, which lies on the eastern edge of the Ross Ice Shelf. established the “Little America” base camp on the Ross Ice Shelf. Byrd and his team used aeroplanes to explore the polar regions for the first time and carried out extensive exploration and mapping from the air.

One of the most important achievements of the expedition was Byrd’s historic flight over the South Pole on 28 and 29 November 1929, the first time a human had flown over the pole. In addition to the aerial exploration, the team also carried out meteorological, geological and biological studies and collected valuable data and samples.

The success of the expedition showed that the use of aeroplanes in extreme conditions is possible and contributed significantly to the understanding of the Antarctic environment. It also increased public awareness and interest in polar exploration, laying the foundations for future scientific and exploratory missions to the Antarctic.

The 1928 expedition, known as “Byrd Antarctic Expedition I”, was the first of Byrd’s five major expeditions to the continent.