Novara-Expedition

Novara Expedition 1857-1859, first major scientific mission of the Austrian navy carried out by the frigate "Novara", which circumnavigated the world under the command of B. von Wüllersdorf-Urbair. This exploration expedition, prepared by the Academy of Sciences and led by experts (headed by the geologist F. v. Hochstetter and the zoologist G. von Frauenfeld), brought about internationally acclaimed results (Discoveries and Explorations ).

Most research was done on St. Paul Island, the Nicobar Islands and in New Zealand (where Hochstetter stayed there and conducted the first geological survey of New Zealand). Oceanographic research, especially in the South Pacific, helped oceanography to become a science in its own right. The collections of botanical, zoological (26,000 preserved specimens) and ethnological material greatly added to the exhibits of Austrian museums, the large number of geomagnetic surveys enriched scientific knowledge. Leaves of the coca plant were brought to Austria and cocaine was produced for the first time in pure form in 1860.

The scientific findings were gathered in a work called "Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde" (The Austrian Frigate Novara's Journey around the World, 21 volumes, 1861-1876) and published by the Academy of Sciences. A popular version with the same title (3 volumes) was edited by K. Scherzer 1864-1866.

Literature: F. Wallisch, Sein Schiff hieß Novara, 1966; K. Scherzer and G. Treffer, Die Weltumseglung der Novara 1857-59, 1973.