South Pole Explorer Disappeared In 1928

Norway's navy announced this week it will help search for the missing plane of a famous 20th century explorer and national hero, more than 80 years after his disappearance.

Roald Amundsen led the first successful expedition to the South Pole from 1910 to 1912. He is also credited with being the first person to reach both the North and South Poles. But he went missing in June of 1928, at the age of 55, flying a rescue mission to the North Pole.

Now, CNN reports a new search, later this year, will focus on a 40 square-mile area of the Arctic Ocean.

Norway's Navy will be accompanied by a German TV crew. Senior Commander Frode Loeseth says this effort will have advantages over previous attempts -- Hugin, an unmanned submarine which can stay on task for 18 hours at a time, is named for a mythological raven which observed the earth, and informed the Norse god, Odin, of what happened that day.

Loeseth acknowledged that finding human remains is unlikely, but says the focus will be on locating the wreck. Quote - "If there is something down there, we will find it."

The commander adds no taxpayer funds will be spent on the search, which has the support of the Amundsen family.

FMI: www.south-pole.com/p0000101.htm