John Moresby discovers and claims Port Moresby (1873)

Captain John Moresby, a British naval officer, discovered the site of Port Moresby in February 1873 while commanding HMS Basilisk. He was the first European to see the location, surveying the southern shore of New Guinea. The site later became the capital of Papua New Guinea, though the event scope focuses on the initial discovery and claim.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. John Moresby was a British naval officer born in 1830. He was appointed to command HMS Basilisk in January 1871. The ship was used for hydrological surveys around eastern New Guinea. Moresby's mission involved exploring the coast, leading to the discovery of the site that would become Port Moresby.

Discovery and Claim. In February 1873, the crew of HMS Basilisk discovered the territory on the south-western coast of the Papuan Peninsula. Moresby was the first Briton to see the site. The location is on the shores of the Coral Sea. This discovery established the site for future development as a capital city.

Legacy. The site discovered by Moresby became Port Moresby, the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea. It is regarded as a primate city due to its population and influence. The discovery in 1873 laid the groundwork for the city's eventual status as the national capital.

People involved

Sources

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