Alexander Kolchak
Owing to the experience in polar exploration he acquired in Svalbard Matisen was chosen for Baron Eduard Gustav von Toll's Polar expedition on behalf of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He was named assistant to commander of Polar ship "Zarya" Nikolai Kolomeitsev. Matisen's friend Alexander Kolchak accompanied the expedition as third naval officer and hydrographer. All leading officers were from military background.