The German Arctic Expedition of 1869 - 1870 was a milestone in Arctic
research. Lead by Captain Karl Koldewey, the group experienced great
danger and the loss of the "Hansa" in the ice during their finally
successful way into the central regions of the Arctic. The expedition
was also a competition between two different generations of ships, the
sailing vessel "Hansa", which did not make her way back, and the
steam-powered "Germania".