A ship, probably the Gauss, trapped in pack-ice in the Antarctic

The Gauss Expedition (1901–1903), led by Arctic veteran Erich von Drygalski, was the first German expedition to Antarctica and aimed to explore the unknown area of Antarctica lying south of the Kerguelen Islands. Despite being trapped in ice for nearly 14 months, the expedition was notable for the discovery of new territory in Antarctica, Kaiser Wilhelm II Land, and the volcano Gaussberg. Drygalski was also the first to use a gas balloon in Antarctica.