Virgohamna Svalbard | Relics of Arctic Exploration

Salomon August Andrée’s 1897 balloon expedition

Swedish explorer Salomon August Andrée had the unique idea of reaching the North Pole by balloon. His expedition captured international attention and became a matter of Swedish national pride, supported by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and Alfred Nobel.

Using a balloon shed built at Virgohamna in 1896, Andrée prepared the balloon Örnen (Eagle) in 1897. His three-man team included an engineer and a photographer.

The launch was problematic—a downdraft caused the balloon's car to dip into the sea, then it rose too quickly and disappeared into clouds. Crucially, the drag ropes Andrée planned to use for steering detached and were left behind. This was the last time the team was seen alive.

The crew's remains weren't discovered until 1930, along with Andrée's journal and photographs. The documents revealed the balloon flew for 65 hours before crashing on ice 300 miles short of the North Pole. The men then marched across ice with sledges, reaching Kvitøya (White Island) by early October.

Other notable expeditions at Virgohamna

In 1906, American journalist and explorer Walter Wellman built an airship hangar and expedition base camp at Virgohamna, intending to reach the North Pole. His previous surface attempts to reach the pole were unsuccessful. This expedition too, had to be abandoned due to the engine failure of the aircraft. 

Undeterred, Wellman made two more attempts, in 1907 and 1909. While he managed to take off, none of these flights were successful.

The remains of the old whaling station, like the foundation of the blubber ovens, are still visible in Virgohamna. Traces of Andrée’s expedition remain visible on the bay in the form of bolts, bolts, wires, planks, metal pieces, and piles of rusty iron filings. Even the traces of Wellman's hangar can also be seen in the form of rusted fuel drums, boxes, iron filings, etc.

What wildlife you might see around Virgohamna

Some of the Arctic wildlife seen around Virgohamna include polar bears, Arctic foxes, and Svalbard reindeer. At times, harbour seals are seen around the coastline. 

Bird species like the purple sandpiper and the grey phalarope are abundantly found in the bay. The grey kittiwake is a common seabird that can be spotted. The Svalbard rock ptarmigan is the only terrestrial bird that is found on the higher regions of the rocky ground. 

The combination of the challenging Arctic environment and the threat from polar bears makes guided visits necessary in Virgohamna. Moreover, with the effects of climate change becoming increasingly visible in Svalbard, tourism must be sustainable and responsible. 

Why responsible travel is important

One essential aspect of travel and tourism activities in Svalbard is to ensure that the natural treasures of Svalbard remain preserved for future generations. Preserving the delicate ecosystem of Svalbard requires respect for the wildlife and natural environment in the region. 

All tourism activities in Svalbard are guided by the AECO guidelines that focus on the Leave No Trace principle and proper waste management. These stringent rules ensure that the impacts of tourism are not overlooked and all traces of human activity are removed.

What remains at Virgohamna today

Today, all that remains of the history of Virgohamna are the broken and rusted fragments of human activity and outlines of structural foundations. For many visitors, stepping into the land evokes a powerful feeling of opening a unique chapter in the history of Svalbard.

Based on the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act, the degraded remains of the past expeditions on the bay have been declared a protected area with a buffer zone around them. The vulnerability assessment and preservation of these remains is a dedicated process based on the collaboration between archaeologists and polar researchers.