Het Behouden Huys

Illustration 7. From the ship's wood, the crew constructed the so-called Behouden Huys, a log-cabin which provided shelter for the long and barren Arctic winter. Primitive traps to catch polar foxes were set up outside.

The Behouden Huys, literally the safe house, was constructed by the seventeen crew-members in traditional Norwegian style, to cope with the extreme cold of Novaya Zemlya, where winter temperatures can fall as low as minus 40^o Celsius. Two doors had to be passed through before one entered the main room of the cabin. This was designed to keep the frosty air outside. In order to protect the house from gales and storms, an additional set of wooden poles was placed on the side which was most vulnerable to the winds.

Illustration 8. >For a transcription in modern typography, click here.

>Click to view a larger version of the image

>Read about the hero's welcome on the return voyage.



Novaya Zemlya Home Introduction Finding a route Disagreements among geographers Barentsz and Van Heemskerck De Veer's eye-witness account Het Behouden Huys Returning home: a hero's welcome Publishing matters: Cornelis Claesz International interest Archaeological remains The myth of Novaya Zemlya Quiz Bibliography Feedback form Copyright Study Pack Home Dutch Home	Het Behouden Huys Illustration 7. From the ship's wood, the crew constructed the so-called Behouden Huys, a log-cabin which provided shelter for the long and barren Arctic winter. Primitive traps to catch polar foxes were set up outside. The Behouden Huys, literally the safe house, was constructed by the seventeen crew-members in traditional Norwegian style, to cope with the extreme cold of Novaya Zemlya, where winter temperatures can fall as low as minus 40^o Celsius. Two doors had to be passed through before one entered the main room of the cabin. This was designed to keep the frosty air outside. In order to protect the house from gales and storms, an additional set of wooden poles was placed on the side which was most vulnerable to the winds. Illustration 8. >For a transcription in modern typography, click here. >Click to view a larger version of the image >Read about the hero's welcome on the return voyage.