In searching for nickel ore for the Austro-Hungarian navy

On the expedition of the ship Albatros to Salomon Islands in 1896

Abstract

In the second half of the 19th century, some ships of the Austro-Hungarian navy made long voyages around the globe and to the Far East. Those voyages were of various purposes: from searching for new markets, cheaper raw materials and semi manufactures, to strictly scientific purposes. In 1895, the ship Albatros set sail towards the Salomon Islands. The primary intention of the voyage was to discover nickel ore the Austro-Hungarian navy needed particularly for building and armament of battleships. Austria-Hungary intended to redeem the with nickel ore abundant territory. But, as Great Britain and Germany already appropriated the Salomon Islands, Austrian-Hungary concealed its actual purpose and asserted the goal of the voyage was exclusively scientific research. The contribution is based on instructions to expeditions and on reports of participants of the expedition. It explains the causes for the expedition, the preparations, and events on the Guadalcanal Island in particular, where the natives attacked the members of the expedition.