Manuae was the first island in the country to be discovered by Captain Cook, on September 23, 1773. It's halfway between Aitutaki and Atiu. Its two islets - Motu Manuae and Motu Te Au Otu - and the surrounding lagoon are a marine conservation area. It is rarely visited these days; there are no scheduled flights or commercial boat service.
Captain Cook first sighted the atoll in 1773 on his second voyage and returned (but didn't land) on his third voyage in April, 1777. Her named it Sandwich Island, but decided later to give that name to Hawaii! So he rechristened it Harvey Island after a Lord of the Admiralty.
For some reason, that appeared on maps as Hervey's Isle (an 'e' in the middle instead of an 'a'). This name was applied to the whole of the Southern Group until 1824 when the Russian cartographer, von Krusenstern changed the name to honour Cook, who died in 1779.
Some maps still show Manuae as Hervey's Island.
For some reason, that appeared on maps as Hervey's Isle (an 'e' in the middle instead of an 'a'). This name was applied to the whole of the Southern Group until 1824 when the Russian cartographer, von Krusenstern changed the name to honour Cook, who died in 1779.
Some maps still show Manuae as Hervey's Island.
Population 0
2.4 sq. mls/6.2 sq. kms
2.4 sq. mls/6.2 sq. kms
Access: Very difficult.
No commercial services
No commercial services
Uninhabited
Southern Group
124 miles/199 kms
North North East of Rarotonga
124 miles/199 kms
North North East of Rarotonga
Manuae was used as a penal colony after Britain took over the islands in 1888, beause Rarotonga had no jail. Prisoners worked for the Cook Islands Trading Company (CITC) which leased the island as a copra plantation. The progamme ended in 1915 when a jail was built on Rarotonga
On 30 May, 1965, Manuae attracted what at the time was the largest gathering ever of solar astronomers to observe a total eclipse from a single site. New Zealand, Australia, the UK, USA, Germany, Japan and Russia all sent teams of scientists. It was considered to be the best place on earth to witness the phenomenon. The skies were clear at first, but but just before totality (when the sun is totally obscured by the moon's shadow), a large cloud appeared.
On 31 May, the Cook Islands Administration issued stamps to commemorate the eclipse. And a post office was set up on Manuae so the scientists could, in those pre-internet days, tell the world about what they'd seen and speed their correspondence on its way with an appropriate reminder! (The price on each stamp is in the UK's pre-decimal shillings and pence)
On 31 May, the Cook Islands Administration issued stamps to commemorate the eclipse. And a post office was set up on Manuae so the scientists could, in those pre-internet days, tell the world about what they'd seen and speed their correspondence on its way with an appropriate reminder! (The price on each stamp is in the UK's pre-decimal shillings and pence)
THE DAY MANUAE STAMPED ITS NAME IN HISTORY
EXPLORE THE OTHER UNINHABITED ISLAND, TAKUTEA
London Missionary, the Rev. John Williams visited the island in 1823 and found sixty people living there. Six or seven years later, that was down to just eight adults and some children. Missionaries took them to Aitutaki, leaving the island deserted. In the 20th century, the population peaked at 29 in 1911. The last time anyone was permanently resident on the island was 1971 when a populaton of 2 was recorded.
The island was briefly populated again - though not by choice - in May, 2010 (right). Four men spent 10 days marooned on Manuae after they came ashore to catch crayfish. But their fishing boat disappeared into the night when a wind came up. The New Zealand Air Force eventually located them after a costly search and rescue operation. Picture: NZ Defence Force
The island was briefly populated again - though not by choice - in May, 2010 (right). Four men spent 10 days marooned on Manuae after they came ashore to catch crayfish. But their fishing boat disappeared into the night when a wind came up. The New Zealand Air Force eventually located them after a costly search and rescue operation. Picture: NZ Defence Force
DESERTING A DESERT ISLAND
In 1863, a merchant vessel found William Marsters and his wives on the island and hired them as caretakers for Palmerston island, where Marsters went on to create his own dynasty
The highest point is just five metres (16 feet) above sea level, which means the island is under serious threat from global warming.
MANUAE MINI FACT FILE
I Name This Island....
