Images Dated 20th August 2004

Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen head for the North Pole

Illustration showing Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen waving goodbye to the Fram as they set out in an attempt to reach the North Pole on skis, March 1895. Nansen embarked with 12 crew in 1893 for a three-year expedition, right across the Arctic pack ice from the New Siberian Islands to the Greenland Sea. Nansen and Johansen's attempt to reach the Pole was unsuccessfull, but they did achieve a new furthest North record and returned safely

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Jackson-Harmsworth Polar Expedition, Franz Josef Land, 1894-

Photograph of Frederick Jackson and his companions of the Jackson-Harmsworth Polar Expedition, with the ice-boat Mary Harmsworth, at Elmwood, Franz Josef Land, 1894-7. The Jackson-Harmsworth Expedition went to Franz Josef Land with the intention of making an attempt to reach the North Pole. However, while preparing for their attempt, Fridtjhof Nansen and his companions of the Fram expedition found them. Nansen warned Jackson off making an attempt for the North Pole and Jackson was happy to look after Nansen's tired group and convey them back to safety

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Elmwood, Franz Josef Land, 1895

Illustration of Elmwood, the base of the Jackson-Harmsworth Polar Expedition on Franz Josef Land, 1895. At the time, this was the most Northerly British settlement in the world. The Jackson-Harmsworth Expedition went to Franz Josef Land with the intention of making an attempt to reach the North Pole. However, while preparing for their attempt, Fridtjhof Nansen and his companions of the Fram expedition found them. Nansen warned Jackson off making an attempt for the North Pole and Jackson was happy to look after Nansen's tired group and convey them back to safety

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans