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Explorers of the Pacific: European and American Discoveries in Polynesia

Summary

Summary

The British voyages from 1800 to 1850, besides checking the accuracy of the position of various Polynesian Islands and adding to our knowledge of the Polynesian people, led to the discovery of a few additional islands. With the single exception of Malden Island, discovered by Captain Lord Byron on July 29, 1825, the discoveries were in the Tuamotuan Archipelago. Commencing with Turnbull's voyage in the Margaret, three islands were discovered: Margaret (Nukutipipi), Phillips (Makemo), and Holt (Taenga). Beechey discovered Barrow (Vanavana), Cockburn (Fangataufa), and Byam Martin (Ahunui). His claims to Melville (Hikueru) and Croker (Haraiki) have been preserved erroneously on the charts. Captain Fitz-Roy is credited with Taiaro and Kauehi, but the names of King and Vincennes were applied to them later by Wilkes. Lord Edward Russell may be credited with first charting the Actaeon Islands though it was done badly. Of the voyages enumerated, that of Beechey in the Blossom was the most valuable.