The Etna expedition (1858) was an early policy-oriented exploration of the then virtually unknown south and north coast of Dutch New Guinea, that can also be regarded as the second Dutch scientific expedition to the main island of New Guinea since 1828.
In December 1857, Governor Charles Ferdinand Pahud appointed a Commission to identify appropriate locations on the North- and Southwest coasts of New Guinea to establish a permanent outpost, in replacement of Fort du Bus.
In addition, Prince Amir of Tidore, who was acquainted with New Guinea, was appointed to the Commission.
The expedition first explored the southwest coast and gave Etna Bay its name.
[2] The expedition continued eastward and identified present-day Jayapura as the best place to establish an outpost.