Sverre Hassel facts for kids
Sverre Helge Hassel (born July 30, 1876 – died June 6, 1928) was a famous Norwegian explorer. He was one of the first five people ever to reach the South Pole, a very cold and distant place on Earth.
Sverre Hassel's Early Life and Sea Adventures
Sverre Hassel was born in a city called Christiania, which is now known as Oslo, Norway. When he was old enough, he decided to work on ships. He became a skilled sailor and earned a "mate's certificate," which meant he was qualified to be an officer on a ship.
Between 1898 and 1902, Sverre Hassel joined an important journey. He was on a ship called the Fram with another explorer named Otto Sverdrup. They tried to sail all the way around Greenland, a huge island mostly covered in ice.
Reaching the South Pole
Sverre Hassel was chosen for a very special mission. He was an expert at driving dog sleds. Because of this skill, he joined Roald Amundsen's expedition to the South Pole. This amazing journey took place from 1910 to 1912.
On December 14, 1911, Sverre Hassel made history. Along with Roald Amundsen, Helmer Hanssen, Olav Bjaaland, and Oscar Wisting, he was one of the first people to ever reach the South Pole. This was a huge achievement in exploration!
For his bravery and success on the expedition, Sverre Hassel received a special award. It was called the South Pole Medal (Sydpolsmedaljen). King Haakon VII of Norway created this medal in 1912 to honor everyone who took part in Amundsen's South Pole journey.
Later Life and Legacy
After his adventures, Sverre Hassel worked in different jobs. In 1904, he was a constable in the Maritime Military Corps. Later, he worked for the customs authorities in Kristiansand, helping to check goods coming into the country. By 1922, he became a customs inspector and office manager in Grimstad.
Sverre Hassel passed away in 1928. He was visiting Roald Amundsen's home in Svartskog when he died.
Even today, Sverre Hassel is remembered. Several places are named after him to honor his contributions to polar exploration:
- Mount Hassel: This is a peak, or high point, in the Queen Maud Mountains in Antarctica. It's located at the top of the Amundsen Glacier.
- Hassel Sound: This is a narrow body of water, or strait, in northern Canada. It lies between Amund Ringnes Island and Ellef Ringnes Island.
- Cape Sverre: This is the northernmost point on Amund Ringnes Island. Sverre Hassel sailed around this island in 1900.
