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De Gerlache acquired a Norwegian whaling ship, the Patria, built in 1884 in Oslo, which he converted into the Belgica. It was sunk in 1940 during World War II. The vessel was 30 meters long and 6.5 meters wide, elegant, solid, and well-suited to the harsh conditions of Antarctica. Its transformation was a complex process that lasted from the summer of 1896 to June 1897. It was reinforced with steel plates, received a new 35-horsepower engine (although de Gerlache would have preferred one of 80 hp), and was adapted for scientific activities, equipped with masts, cabins, and two laboratories, as well as an ingenious system for preserving scientific equipment and supplies.
At Antwerp, 120 tons of coal for the engine boiler were loaded on board, plus another 40 tons of anthracite – a superior type of coal for the ship's stoves, given that the destination was not one of the warmest in the world. At Punta Arenas, a planned stop before crossing the Strait of Magellan, the ship was to be supplied with another 100 tons of coal. The Belgica's engine, operating in strict economy mode, consumed almost 2 tons of coal per day, achieving a speed of approximately three nautical miles per hour (4.83 km/h). The maximum speed, with significantly higher consumption, was 7 miles per hour (11.27 km/h).
"For an expedition like ours, the choice of travelling companions is of the utmost importance," noted Commander Adrien de Gerlache. After the initial wave of enthusiasm had dissipated, the hard work of organising and planning an expedition to the frozen and inhospitable lands of the south followed. One by one, the young Belgian scientists dropped out: they did not want to part with their families and careers for so long, especially since the original plan had called for a long expedition spanning two polar seasons.
The staff for the expedition included 31-year-old Adrien de Gerlache de Gomery, who served as the commander. He was joined by 26-year-old Polish scientist Henryk Arctowski, who worked at the Institute of Chemistry in Liège. During the expedition, Arctowski took on the roles of geologist, oceanographer, and meteorologist. He had prepared intensively for these positions by taking specialised courses with practical applications in glaciology in Switzerland and meteorology in England.
The 28-year-old Belgian, Émile Danco, was an old friend of de Gerlache and an artillery officer who was very enthusiastic about participating in the expedition. However, due to an aortic dilation, he was initially denied permission to join. After lengthy negotiations, he was ultimately granted the opportunity to participate in the expedition as a geophysicist.
Emil Racoviță, a 29-year-old Romanian, was chosen as the team's naturalist based on a recommendation from Arctowski. While in Paris, Arctowski learned that Racoviță had defended a master's thesis on marine polychaetes, had experience working at sea with the Banyuls-sur-Mer laboratory ships, had been one of the first zoologists to dive for the study of benthic fauna, and had developed new methods of pelagic fishing. Although Racoviță showed interest in the expedition, he faced an obstacle: he needed to complete his mandatory military service in Romania. Adrien de Gerlache intervened with the Countess of Flanders, Marie de Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, who was the youngest sister of King Carol I. She successfully obtained an exemption from military service for Racoviță from her brother.
Georges Lecointe, a 28-year-old Belgian, has accepted the position of Second-in-Command of the Belgian Antarctic Expedition. A passionate navigator, Lecointe previously served as an officer in the French Navy. While his official role on the scientific team is that of navigation officer, his responsibilities also include conducting astronomical observations and addressing hydrographic and cartographic matters related to the newly explored lands.
Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian who was only 25 years old at the time, would later become the first person to conquer the South Pole. He also made history as the first to reach the North Pole. Amundsen's records remain unmatched to this day. In the realm of polar exploration, he is often regarded as a pioneer. For nearly 30 years, Roald Amundsen made significant contributions to technical advancements, ranging from the use of dog sledges to reach the South Pole to exploring with airships. Throughout his career, he undertook a total of seven expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. Tragically, he disappeared during a rescue operation over the North Pole in 1928.
Frederick Cook, a 32-year-old American, served as the doctor and photographer for the expedition. His previous polar experience, gained from expeditions in Greenland, made him a valuable asset. Without Dr. Cook's expertise, the fate of the Belgica expedition could have been very different and much more dramatic.
Henryk Arctowski invited his fellow countryman, Antoni Dobrowolski, a 25-year-old, to visit the Belgica in Antwerp. Dobrowolski was captivated by the ship and the prospect of an expedition. With great enthusiasm, he wrote to de Gerlache, requesting permission to join the crew as an assistant meteorologist, and was accepted.
The second lieutenant was Jules Melaerts, a 21-year-old Belgian, the only officer on the Belgica who received payment for his services to the expedition; the others volunteered their services with no interest in money.
During the voyage, the ship's crew experienced several changes, primarily due to insubordination. The final change occurred in Punta Arenas. By the end of the journey, the crew consisted of 19 members, comprising nine staff members and researchers. The other 10 members of the expedition included: Henri Somers and Max van Rysselberghe, both Belgian engineers; Louis Michotte, the expedition's cook; and the sailors: Gustave Dufour and Jan van Mirlo (Belgians), along with Norwegians Adam Tollefsen, Ludvig Johansen, Engebret Knudsen, Carl August Wiencke, and Johan Koren.
The composition of the expedition was truly international: nine Belgians, six Norwegians, two Poles, one Romanian and one American! Except for Dr. Cook, none of the crew members had experience in polar exploration, and most were at the beginning of their careers. The youngest member was only 18 years old, and the oldest was 34.
Two of the crew lost their lives during the expedition. On 22 January 1898, during a storm, sailor Carl August Wiencke was thrown overboard into the icy waters – a tragic moment for the crew. Today, Wiencke Island bears his name. On 5 June 1898, Émile Danco, whose heart condition had worsened during the polar winter, died on board. In his memory, an island and a stretch of coast on the Antarctic Peninsula are named after him. After his death, the entire team was overcome with despair. Racoviță wrote in his diary: "We have never been so cold in the body, never so cold in the heart."
A third crew member, Engebret Knudsen, died just a few months after returning from the expedition.