In the late 19th century, the uncharted waters of the Arctic held a tantalizing promise—the fabled North-East Passage, a navigable route linking the Atlantic and Pacific via the Arctic Ocean. The quest for this elusive route was the driving force behind the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition, a daring Arctic exploration that unfolded between 1872 and 1874. Led by Julius Payer and Karl Weyprecht, this expedition not only ventured into the frigid unknown but also left its mark on the discovery of Franz Josef Land.
The roots of this ambitious endeavor can be traced back to geographer, August Petermann. Petermann was a staunch advocate of the existence of a navigable northern Arctic Sea, and his belief in this concept propelled him to champion several Arctic expeditions. Prior to the Austro-Hungarian venture, he had been associated with the German North Pole expeditions of 1868–1870. However, these missions failed to uncover viable routes along the east coast of Greenland. Undeterred, Petermann shifted his focus to the region between Svalbard and Novaya Zemlya, driven by the belief that the influence of the Gulf Stream would result in less ice obstruction. This pivotal decision laid the groundwork for the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition.
The early phase of the expedition saw the involvement of Norwegian crews on a reconnaissance voyage aboard the ship Isbjørn. However, Weyprecht, dissatisfied with the Norwegians' performance, resolved to assemble an Austro-Hungarian crew for the primary mission. The decision was also made to equip the expedition with a steam vessel, a crucial asset for navigating the treacherous Arctic waters.
The Tegetthoff, the expedition's flagship, was named in honor of Austrian Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, who had served as Weyprecht's superior. Constructed specifically for this mission by Teklenborg & Beurmann in Bremerhaven, the Tegetthoff was a formidable vessel—a three-masted barkentine boasting 220 tons, measuring 38.34 meters in length, and equipped with a robust 100-horsepower steam engine. To bolster the expedition's resources, Count Wilczek personally chartered the sailing vessel Isbjørn once again, this time to serve as an emergency depot.
The Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition set sail on June 20, 1872. The Isbjørn embarked from the Norwegian port of Tromsø, with Count Wilczek, Baron von Sterneck, and Johan Kjeldsen at the helm. Their mission: to establish a vital supply depot at Cape Nassau on Novaya Zemlya. Meanwhile, the Tegetthoff, with its crew of 24, departed Tromsø on July 13, 1872. The two ships converged near the Barents Islands off Novaya Zemlya, where the emergency depot was meticulously arranged—a safeguard should the Tegetthoff's crew require replenishments on their return journey. The Isbjørn, having fulfilled its crucial role, then embarked on its return to port.
For the Tegetthoff, the expedition was far from smooth sailing. By the end of August, the ship found itself ensnared in the unforgiving grip of pack ice north of Novaya Zemlya, its fate hanging in the balance. The crew faced the constant specter of the ship being crushed by the unyielding ice, prompting frequent preparations for abandonment. August 30, 1873, marked a pivotal moment in the expedition's saga. After an entire year ensnared in the icy clutches of the Arctic, the intrepid explorers stumbled upon a remote archipelago. Recognizing the monumental significance of their find, they christened it Franz Josef Land, in a tribute to their Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I. Yet, their journey was far from over. The Tegetthoff continued its aimless drift until the closing days of October. Eventually, the ship came to rest alongside an island situated in the southeastern reaches of Franz Josef Land. With winter's icy grip tightening, the crew had no choice but to hunker down and endure the brutal polar night, all the while harbouring anticipation for further explorations.
By February 1874, after careful deliberation, Weyprecht and Payer reached a somber decision—they would abandon their ice-bound vessel. However, this choice followed a series of grueling sledge expeditions undertaken to survey and explore the newfound lands. The initial trek led them to Hall Island, where the expedition members undertook a perilous ascent of Cape Tegetthoff and the treacherous Sonklar Glacier. The unforgiving Arctic climate subjected them to temperatures plummeting as low as -50°C, a testament to their unwavering determination.
Tragedy struck on the heels of the first sledge party's return. Otto Krisch, who had remained aboard the Tegetthoff, succumbed to tuberculosis. His health had been deteriorating since November 1872, marked by persistent chest pains, and by February 1874, he had additionally contracted scurvy. While scurvy had plagued other crew members, they had managed to combat it with a regimen of canned vegetables, lemon juice, wine, and even polar bear meat. Krisch's final resting place became a crevice on Wilczek Island, sealed by a solemn rock and crowned with a wooden cross.
The second sledge expedition spanned a daunting 27 days, replete with the constant threat of shifting or cracking sea ice that could have severed their route back to the ship. The men charted their course along the challenging waters of the Austrian Strait to the north, with Payer meticulously surveying key points along their journey. Their diligent exploratory work significantly contributed to the mapping of the eastern expanse of Franz Josef Land. Yet, their endeavors were not without peril; a harrowing incident occurred when Zaninovich, along with the sled and dogs, tumbled into a crevasse while crossing the formidable Middendorf Glacier on Rudolf Island. Haller, an experienced alpinist, orchestrated a daring rescue mission, ensuring the survival of Zaninovich, the dogs, and most of the equipment.
The sledge expedition ultimately reached its zenith on April 12, 1874, as the explorers set foot on the northernmost point of Franz Josef Land, known as Cape Fligely (81° 51' N). Payer believed he had spied land further north, which he christened King Oscar Land and Petermann Land, a testament to the enduring spirit of discovery that fueled the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition.
On the 20th of May 1874, the expedition faced a daunting choice—they disembarked from their ship, endeavoring to reach Novaya Zemlya. They embarked with three boats, each mounted on a sled, accompanied by provisions and equipment to sustain them for three to four months, loaded onto three additional sledges. These sledges, each weighing a formidable 820 kg (1800 lb), posed a formidable challenge. To compound their difficulties, they also employed a small dog-sled. The arduous process involved hauling the boat-sleds for a distance, then retracing their steps to retrieve the additional sledges. Progress was painstakingly slow, with the ice-laden terrain riddled with hummocks, cracks, ridges, and polynyas. It wasn't until eight days had passed that the explorers advanced beyond the ship's sightline.
By the 1st of July, further progress became impossible, and the group retreated to Lamont Island, a significant discovery along their journey. Weyprecht, the expedition's resolute leader, decided to temporarily return to the ship, aiming to retrieve a fourth boat while awaiting improved ice conditions. The 10th of July saw them resume their southward journey, alternating between hauling the sledges and rowing the boats across polynyas. Notably, Weyprecht recorded some complaints about Payer's behavior in his diary but expressed profound pride in the harmonious and loyal nature of the men. On the 14th of August 1874, a momentous breakthrough was achieved as the expedition reached the open sea. However, their remaining two dogs had to be regretfully shot, their seasickness destabilizing the boats. After three days of relentless rowing, they finally reached Novaya Zemlya. Although their original goal was to reach the depot laid by Wilczek, a navigational error led them past it. Undaunted, they chose to continue their southward journey, reliant on the provisions they had left.
On the 24th of August, a chance encounter changed their fortunes. The boats of the Austro-Hungarian expedition rendezvoused with fishermen from the Russian schooner Nikolai, under the command of Feodor Voronin. The Russians, guided by a Ukase, were instructed to assist the expedition and received them warmly. An agreement was struck, with Weyprecht and Payer arranging transport to Vardø in Northern Norway in exchange for 1,200 silver rubles, three expedition boats, and two Lefaucheux guns. This marked a turning point in their perilous journey.
Arriving in Vardø on the 3rd of September, the expedition's heroic return home commenced. They journeyed back to Austria-Hungary by coastal steamer from Vardø and by train from Hamburg. Along the way, they were met with jubilant crowds, invited to grand dinners hosted by local dignitaries and geographical societies in Norway, Sweden, and Germany. Their triumphant entry into Vienna, where they were greeted by hundreds of thousands of well-wishers, remains etched in contemporary newspaper reports. Festivities continued throughout Austria-Hungary as the individual explorers were reunited with their families.
The expedition's enduring legacy extended far beyond their personal triumph. Their discoveries and experiences made substantial contributions to polar science, most notably the Northeast Passage discovered by Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld. Their endeavours sparked the International Polar Years, transitioning from single expedition races to global scientific collaboration in polar exploration. These remarkable achievements were documented and published by the Academy of Sciences in 1878, a testament to their enduring impact on the world of exploration and knowledge.