Palmyra: A Secluded Paradise in the Pacific? Quiz

Answer: 1802

In 1802, Captain Swale discovered the island while sailing his ship 'Palmyra'. His ship was thrown off course by a tropical storm. After the storm had cleared, Swale noticed that the 'Palmyra' was grounded by a coral reef bed. Swale had to rock the big ship gently back and forth to loosen her from the reef bed.

He eventually found a way through the coral and anchored the 'Palmyra' to an old dock that was located on the beaches of the island. After surveying the island, Captain Swale went back to Hawaii to claim his discovery. Since he discovered the island, he was able to choose the name.

He named the island after his ship, 'Palmyra'.

Answer: Captain Fanning

In 1798, while sailing his ship 'Betsy' to Asia, Captain Fanning was awaken in the middle of the night. He told his First Mate to steady her a hard left. The First Mate, took his Captain's words and did exactly that. The next morning, Captain Fanning came aboard from below to discover a dangerous reef close to the right side of his ship. 'Betsy' was nearly banked on the outer edges of the island that later became known as 'Palmyra'. Captain Fanning finished his sail to Asia, and never gave another thought to the island.

At least that was the case until he learned of Captain Swale's discovery. Checking his navigational charts, of 'Betsy's' route, he discovered that Captain Swale's island and his island were one in the same. Captain Fanning always believed that some mysterious force called to him in the middle of the night, sparing his life. Fanning always felt deeply that Palmyra Island was haunted. According to all facts known about the island, Fanning never visited the island.

Answer: Pacific

Answer: 990 miles

Palmyra is situated approximately 990 miles off the coast line of Hawaii. In 1862, Hawaii claimed Palmyra and the United States linked it as an Island of Hawaii. The Statehood of Hawaii Act 1959 did not include the island. Palmyra is now owned by the Nature Conservatory, which is managing the island as a nature perserve.

Answer: True

Palmyra is considered to be an atoll. An island is a tract of land that is surrounded by water and smaller than a continent. An atoll is an island that is surrounded by a coral reef bed. Palmyra has 50 islets on the outer banks of one large land mass. Even though I call Palmyra an island, the correct name is Palmyra Atoll.

Answer: 50 islets

There are 50 islets on this secluded atoll. Each islet has coconut trees, balsa trees, and severe overgrown vegetation.

Answer: 5 52 N, 162 06 W

Answer: Hot and rainy

Since Palmyra rests comfortably near the equator, the climate is constantly hot and rainy.

Answer: Green Sea Turtle

Green sea turtles, which are an endangered species, enjoy the heat of Palmyra sands, where they dig nests for their eggs.

Answer: Esperanza

In 1816, the Esperanza was docked at Palymra when it was attacked by another sea-faring ship. During the sea battle, the Esperanza was savagely attacked, and began sinking. Several crew members managed to survive, and they became marooned on Palmyra for about a year. Legend has it that they buried the gold and silver, which was taken from the Inca temples in Peru, on Home Island, which is an islet of Palmyra.

The lucky survivors of the battle eventually made a raft and set sail. They were at sea for quite a while.

Unfortunately, all but one died. When an American whaling ship rescued the lone survivor, he had a horrifying tale to tell. This was to be his last story ever told because he died from exposure and pneumonia. All information can be found at www.labyrinth13.crimespider.com (slash) Palmyra.htm, and www.odci.gov (slash) cia (slash) publications (slash) factbook (slash) maps (slash) lq-map.