Discovery & Discoverers
pp. 34-35 · Read in the full issue
of French Oceania
THE following remarkable list— which is of unique value—has been compiled from the records of the various navigators concerned, and from those of other voyagers, by Mr.
W. W. Bolton, M.A., an English his torian resident in Tahiti. Mr. Bolton, in courteously giving us permission to publish this list, says: “Documented corrections would be welcomed”.
The total number of Islands in French Oceania is 105.
Island. Discoverer.
Date.
The Georgian Group.
(As recorded at The Admiralty, London, 1768.) Tahiti Wallis 1767 Moorea Wallis 1767 Maiao Wallis 1767 Makatea Roggevsen 1722 (Now grouped with the Atolls.) Mehetia Wallis 1767 (Claimed also for Carteret.) Tetiaroa Wallis 1767 (Claimed also for Cook.)
The Marquesan Group.
(So named by Mendana.) South Group: Patuhiva Mendana 1595 Hivaoa Mendana 1595 Tahuata Mendana 1595 North Group: Nukuhiva Ingraham 1791 Nahuka Ingraham 1791 Uapu Ingraham 1791 (The North Group claimed also for Marchand and Chanal.)
The Mangareva Or Gambier Group.
(So named by Wilson.) Akamaru Wilson 1797 Aukena Wilson 1797 Rikitea Wilson 1797 Taravai Wilson 1797 Crescent Wilson 1797 (Native name Timoe.)
The Tupuai Or Austral Group.
(So named by the French authorities, 1881.) Raivaivai Gayangos 1775 Rapa Vancouver 1791 Rimatara Henry 1811 Rurutu Cook 1769 Tupuai Cook 1777
The Leeward Or Society Group.
(So named by Cook.) Raiatea Cook 1769 Huahine Cook 1769 Maupiti Cook 1769 Tupai Cook 1769 Tahaa Cook 1769 Scilly Wallis 1767 (Native name Manual.) Pora Pora Cook 1769 (There is no letter “B” in Tahitian.) Bellinghausen Kotzebue 1824 (Native name Motu O ne.) Mopelia Wallis 1767
The Atolls Or .Tuamotu Group.
(So named by the French authorities, 1851; ' formerly known as the Poumotus.) Aha Schouten 1616 Ahunui Beechey 1826 (Claimed also for Martin.) Akiaki Bougainville 1768 Amanu Quiros 1606 (Claimed also for Varela, 1774.) Anaa Quiros 1606 Anuanuaro Wallis 1767 (Claimed also for Quiros.) Anuanurunga Wallis 1767 (Claimed also for Quiros.) Apataki Roggeveen 1722 Arutua Roggeveen 1722 Paaite Bellinghausen 1819 Fakahina Kotzebue 1824 Pakarava Schouten 1616 Fangataufa Beechey 1826 Fangatau Beechey 1826 (Claimed also for Cockburn.) Hao Bougainville 1768 (Claimed also for Quiros.) Haraiki Boenechea 1772 Hereheretue Wallis 1767 Hikueru Boenechea 1774 Kauehi Humphrey 1822 Kaukura Cook 1774 Makemo Cook 1773 Manihi Schouten 1616 Manuhangi Wallis 1767 Maria Bougainville 1768 (Native name Vahitahi.)
There appears to be no record of the dis coverers of the 17 remaining small Atolls, un named in the above list.
Our Gilbert Islands correspondent writes: The proposal to send Dr. K. R.
Steenson to Beru as Resident Medical Officer and Administrative Officer, vice Mr. Bevington, transferred, will not now take effect. Mr. Bevington, instead of being transferred to Ocean Island, has proceeded on brief leave and will return shortly to his station at Beru.
Island.
Discoverer.
Date.
Marokau Bougainville 1768 (Claimed also for Quiros.) Marutea Edwards 1791 (Claimed also for Cook.) Matahiva Bellinghausen 1819 Motutunga Cook 1773 Mururoa Wallis 1767 Nangenengo Wallis 1767 Napuka Byron 1765 Niau Schouten 1616 (Claimed also for Greig.) 1767 Nukutavake Carteret Nukutipipi Wallis 1767 (Claimed also for Quiros.) Paraoa Wallis 1767 Pinaki Carteret 1767 Puka Puka Schouten 1616 Pukaruha Wilson 1797 Rangiroa Schouten 1616 Raroia Roggeveen 1722 Raraka Ireland 1831 Reao Bell 1822 (Claimed also for Tonnerre.) Tahanea Boenechea 1774 Takaroa Schouten 1616 Takapoto Roggeveen 1722 Takume Bellinghausen 1819 Tatakoto Varela 1774 Tauere Boenechea 1772 Tekokoto Turnbull (the Supercargo) 1803 (Claimed also for Buyers (the Captain).) Tematangi Bligh 1792 Tepoto Byron 1765 Tikei Schouten 1616 Tlkihau Roggeveen 1722 Toau Roggeveen 1722 Tureia Carteret 1767 Vairaatea Wallis 1767 Vanavana Beechey 1826 (Claimed also for Barrow.)