Guide to the Amundsen-Ellsworth 1926 Transpolar Flight photographs
1926
Collection number: HMC-1479.
Creator: Unknown.
Title: Amundsen-Ellsworth 1926 Transpolar Flight photographs.
Date: 1926.
Volume of collection: 0.01 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in the collection are in English.
Collection summary: Photographs of the airship Norge and crew in Teller and Nome after their 1926 flight over the North Pole.
Historical note:
The Amundsen-Ellsworth 1926 Transpolar Flight was led by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and sponsored by the Norwegian Aviation Society and American adventurer Lincoln Ellsworth. With a crew of 16 men they flew over the North Pole in the airship Norge, which was designed and piloted by Italian aeronautical engineer, Umberto Nobile. The airship left Rome on April 10, bound for Nome. The expedition experienced some delays due to weather and maintenance, but on May 11, the Norge left Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard for the final stretch and crossed the North Pole the next day. On May 14, the airship reached Teller, Alaska, and the decision was made to land there instead of Nome, due to worsening weather. The Norge, which had been damaged during the landing, was dismantled and sent back to Italy for repairs, which never occurred.
Collection description:
The collection consists of photographic postcards and prints of the Norge and its crew in Teller and Nome following their transpolar flight. Subjects of the photographs include the leaders of the trip, the Norge’s largely Norwegian and Italian crew, local residents of Teller and Nome, the Norge being dismantled, dogsled teams, and expedition members aboard the S.S. Victoria on their way to Seattle. The following individuals are identified in captions: Roald Amundsen, Lincoln Ellsworth, Umberto Nobile, G.J. Lomen, Ralph Lomen, Duncan McLean, Arthur McLain, and Marianne Mish.
Arrangement: The photographs are arranged in no discernible order.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: The copyright status of the collection is unknown.
Preferred citation: Amundsen-Ellsworth 1926 Transpolar Flight photographs, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory: “Norge (airship)” Wikipedia, last modified September 12, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norge_(airship)
Acquisition note: The collection was acquired by Archives & Special Collections prior to 2007.
Processing information: This collection was described by Gwen Higgins in 2024.