'Madhouse at the End of the Earth': A 19th-century voyage to Antarctica

PERSPECTIVE © FRANCE 24

It's a story of ambition, mutiny, heroism and survival; a voyage that swiftly descended into a nightmare at sea; a grueling test of endurance that lasted 13 months, pushing the crew of the Belgica whaling ship to the depths of despair and even madness. But the 1897 Belgian Antarctic expedition would also serve as an example for subsequent missions to the South Pole. Julian Sancton, writer, journalist and author of "Madhouse at the End of the Earth", joined us on Perspective to tell us more about the expedition.