Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
Locations for McKean, Rawaki (Phoenix), and Enderbury were published by Anon. (1861b).
However, according to a note to Anon. (1861b) by Ward (1967e), the positions were not very
accurate.
In 1861, the Osborn Howes, loaded with guano from McKean, sprang a leak and threw
overboard 112 tonnes (123 tons) of guano at about 44 0 S (Anon. 1861c).
In 1861, a report came out proclaiming the benefits of using Phoenix Islands guano,
specifically guano from McKean, for agricultural purposes (Phoenix Guano Co. 1861). The
chemical composition of this guano was presented. At the end of the report were testimonials
regarding the increased plant growth achieved by using this guano. In addition, instructions
were provided on the application rate.
With the development of the guano exports from such islands as McKean, the importance of
the harbor at Aspia (Upolu, Samoa) as a center for commerce had increased (Anon. 1866).
A short narrative of the brig Harriet Newell’s reprovisioning trip from Honolulu to Rawaki
(Phoenix), Enderbury, and McKean in early 1866 was provided by Cunningham (1866). The
voyage took 32 days.
During a gale on December 4, 1867, the Washington, under Captain Berry, went ashore on
McKean (Anon. 1868b; see also Anon. 1868b; 1868c). She was carrying 771 tonnes (850
tons) of guano. On December 9, 1867, her crew was rescued by the Kamehaneha V (Anon.
1868d).
From 1859 to 1870, McKean was worked for guano (Maude 1952 and 1968; 1859 to 1870
according to Garnett 1983a). McKean was worked out first (Bryan 1941 and 1942). No
vessels were recorded to have visited there after 1870. Guano was worked until 1870 (Tudor
1968) by the Phoenix Guano Company (Pompey 1972c) when all reserves had been exploited
(Garnett 1983a).
Under the American Guano Act of 1856, three of the Phoenix Islands, including McKean,
were worked exclusively by American guano companies (Freeman 1951). Phoenix Guano
Company had mined Enderbury, McKeans, and Rawaki (Phoenix) (Skaggs 1994).
The positions of Abariringa (Mary, Swallow, or Canton), Enderbury, Birnie, Rawaki
(Phoenix), McKean, and Orona (Hall) were published in Anon. (1871). In 1871, sailing
directions for the Phoenix Islands were published (Hempstead 1871). These included:
Abariringa (Mary, Swallow, or Canton), Birnie, Enderbury, McKean (Wilkes), Orona (Halls),
and Rawaki (Phoenix).
No wrecks of guano ships were recorded (Bryan 1941 and 1942).
The basin within the rim of land on McKean had been deepened by guano digging (1859 to
1870) (Bryan 1941 and 1942). The ruins of the Phoenix Guano Company buildings were the
most conspicuous objects on McKean (Bryan 1941 and 1942; also Hydrographic Office
1940). These were on the west side of the island and consisted of numerous stone walls. The
highest point was a wall 2.1 m (7 ft) high.
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