- TUVALU HISTORY
- The Davis Diaries
In 1892, Captain Davis of the Royal Australian Navy visited the Islands of Tuvalu and made a record of his observations in the Diaries of Captain Davis of the H.M.S. Royalist.
The Ellice Islands were declared a Protectorate by Captain Gibson R.N. of H.M.S. Curacao between 9th and 16th October of the same year;
The visit of Captain Davis was one of the last acts of what has been termed 'British Imperialism'. Davis did more than bring 'The Flag'. He settled disputes amongst traders of various nationalities then operating in the Ellice Group and between traders and islanders. He met and talked with all manner of people. What he saw and heard he recorded, and his observations are detailed and shrewd. This website should provide an invaluable source of material for anyone engaged in a study of Tuvaluan history.
H.M.S. Royalist.
- DISEASES, CLIMATE, ETC. OF
- THE ELLICE ISLANDS (TUVALU)
A native disease known as Tennemanu or Rot affects a considerable number of people. Seen principally on the legs or upper extremities. One man examined by me had suffered from it for ten years. Commences as a crop of large pustules or small boils pale looking and tense, these ulcerate and discharged a thin semi-purulent fluid. After a time when crop after crop of pustules has come and gone, the sub-cutaneous tissue becomes indurated and thickened causing swelling of the limb the skin of which feels firm and discovered with white superficial cicatrices due to the healing of the pustules above alluded to. Has a tendency towards recovering. Te Kautani - this disease the natives say last about one year and affects only children. Has a very characteristic appearance, masses of piled up warty looking eruptions affecting all parts of the body. There is no inflammation ulceration or swelling of the surrounding skin. After a time, these masses separate and leave a red weeping surface. Causes a good deal of irritation and makes children fretful. A Mr. M. Kleis, trader in these islands says that he has cured many cases of both the above formed disease by small doses of Calomel. He says that in four days the eruption can be quite removed from a child by this remedy.
Elephantisis of the legs and scrotun is not uncommon in the group. In some cases of this disease, the native operate by cutting a diamond shaped out of the scrotun. Afterwards, bringing the cut edges together. A shark's tooth set in a wooden handle is used as a knife. The climate of the Ellice Islands is much less agreeable than that of the Gilberts. There is a much larger rainfall and the air is damp, and sky often overcast. The natives are not well provided with clothes or small necessaries as trading vessels seldom visit these islands. They being small and having little copra for export. The water supply is universally bad in the Ellice Islands being brackish and otherwise impure. The traders drank only rainwater; the natives as yet however had not the means or do not take the trouble to collect rainwater.
- People poor but appear healthy, only one case of elephantiasis, and a few of ringworm. Some hardwood
- trees reported on Motuloa Island called "Kanava" used for canoe building has the appearance of Pume, natives say some trees are 18 feet in circumference.
- Lutello, a native of Tonga, formerly a missionary in Pelew Islands, has been causing a great deal of trouble here - much quarrelling has onsued. When New York Island was given up by Weber & Co., the lease having expired, Lutelle wanted the people to make the town there and live there, and lately has annoyed the Missionary to go. He wished to wait for the Missionary ship to decide. Lutello refused and took the roof off the Church and Missionary's house, and removed all windows and doors, he deposed the King and made Malaki King. For the welfare of the island I directed that Lutello should quit the islands - either voluntarily, or I should try him as a British subject for his behaviour - he elected the former, and I granted him, his 2 sons and 2 small daughters, a passage to Fiji, on their way to Tonga. Two of his sons, married to women of Nukulailai, remain on the island. I ascertained that Lutello had previously to deposing Petaia deposed Lapanna, when the people had elected king; also that Manatu a native of Niutao, Panappa of Nukulailai, and Petaia of Samoan descent were among the troublesome ones on the island. I caused all the inhabitants to assemble and told them I regretted to see the present state of affairs on their island, and I should try and remedy it. Lutello would at once leave the Island, so in future he could influence no one. I told Manatu he had better return to Niutao by the first opportunity, and warned him and Panappa and Petaia as to their future behaviour. Neither of these three would be allowed to serve as Kaupuli. I then called on them all to elect a king of their own choice which they did, unanimously electing Lepanna; Malaki who is Lepanna's nephew, Maika and Hosea, were elected Kaupuli (Kapule). I said when the missionary ship John Williams arrived, the white Missionary would confer with the King and Kaupuli as to whether the church should be moved or not; in the meantime I asked them to put a temporary roof on the church, and repair the floor of the building, so that it could be used for service. This they willingly promised to do. They appeared very satisfied at the steps I took in the matter, particularly at the removal of Lutelle, who, they asserted, had caused all the trouble in the island.
- I left a note with the Missionary, for the "Missionary in charge of the Ellice Group", telling him what I had done in the matter. The King and all the injhabitants asked to have Queen Victoria's Flag hoisted on the Island.
NANOMANA (now called Nanumaga) - visited 27 July 1892
Remarks. People clean and particularly glad to see the ship. Several cases of elephantiasis and Tennemanu. Fowls plentiful. No vessel having called for 7 or 8 months, tobacco much in demand. More so than money. Large numbers visited ship. The King and Council requested me to ask Queen Victoria to hoist the British Flag on their Island. The Missionary appears to be a very good man.
Remarks. Natives not over clean. Water in wells very brackish. Want of sufficient vegetables causes a sort of scurvy. Several cases of elephantiasis. Chilian $ mostly used up. English Coinage used. Two lagoons on the Island. A frew pigeons to be shot. People very thankful to get their friends back again from Niutao. Complaints made here about Zachia a native, formerly a Mission teacher at Tamana, Gilbert Group, who since his return to the Island had told the King he was no good, and that he wanted to be King &c. He left the same morning I arrived with some natives for Nukufetau. Mr. Nitz having verified those statements, I informed the King to pay no attention to Zachia, and if he interfered again, to punish him. I also said I would see him at Nukufetau and warn him as to his future behaviour, which the next man of war would enquire about. The King said that all the people were anxious that Queen Victoria's flag should be hoisted on the island.
NURAKITA or Sophia Island (now called Niulakita) -visited 4 August 1892.
Stopped off Island, August 4th 1892. Too much sea on to effect a landing in ship's boats. No canoe put off. Several natives appeared on the beach, and hoisted up an American ensign. After waiting some time off Island, I proceeded on our course.
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