The Polaris expedition of 1871-1873 was one of the first serious attempts to reach the North Pole after that of British naval officer Sir Edward Parry, who reached 82° 45´ N in 1827. Funded by the U.S. government, the expedition's notable achievement was reaching 82° 29´ N by ship, a record at the time.

The expedition was commanded by the experienced and self-taught Arctic explorer