Editing Pago Pago, American Samoa (section)

===19th century===
[[File:PAGO_PAGO_BAY.png|thumb|right|250px|An 1896 illustration of Pago Pago.]]
[[File:American Naval Base, Samoan Islands.png|thumb|right|250px|From 1878 to 1951, it was a [[Coaling station|coaling]] and repair station for the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]], known as [[United States Naval Station Tutuila|US Naval Station Tutuila]].]]
[[File:A glimpse of the isles of the Pacific (1907) (14780577521).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Boatmen in Pago Pago, 1907]]
[[File:Pago_Pago,_Samoa_LOC_15482942648.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Pago Pago as seen in the early 1900s]]
[[File:HHMS_Kaimiloa_anchored_at_Honolulu_Harbor.jpg|thumb|right|250px|HHMS ''[[Kaimiloa]]'' in 1887]]
[[File:Карта_к_статье_«Панго-Панго»._Военная_энциклопедия_Сытина_(Санкт-Петербург,_1911-1915).jpg|thumb|right|250px|1914 map of Pago Pago]]
In 1791, Captain [[Edward Edwards (Royal Navy officer)|Edward Edwards]], leading the British warship HMS ''[[HMS Pandora (1779)|Pandora]]'' in the pursuit of the [[Bounty mutineers]], arrived at Pago Pago Harbor. During their search, the crew stumbled upon a French military uniform belonging to one of [[Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse|Pérouse]]’s men, who had been killed at [[Aʻasu, American Samoa|Aʻasu]] in 1787.<ref>U.S. National Park Service (1988). “National Park Feasibility Study: American Samoa”. Page 29. Retrieved on December 23, 2024, from https://npshistory.com/publications/npsa/feasibility-study.pdf</ref><ref>Salmond, Anne (2011). ''Bligh: William Bligh in the South Seas''. [[Penguin Books Limited]]. {{ISBN|978-1-74228-781-2}}.</ref>

In 1824, [[Otto von Kotzebue]] is believed to have discovered the entrance to [[Pago Pago Harbor]], according to one source.<ref>Gilson, Richard Phillip (1970). ''Samoa 1830 to 1900: The Politics of a Multi-cultural Community''. [[Oxford University Press]]. Page 68. {{ISBN|978-0-19-550301-2}}.</ref>

In 1836, the English whaler ''Elizabeth'', captained by Cuthbert, became the first European vessel to enter Pago Pago Harbor. Captain Cuthbert is credited with ‘discovering’ Pago Pago and naming it Cuthbert Harbor.<ref>Knox, Thomas W. (1889). ''The Boy Travellers Australasia''. Page 140.</ref>

In the 1830s, two missionaries were assigned to Tutuila Island: Reverend Archibald W. Murray and his wife to Pago Pago and Reverend Barnden to [[Leone, American Samoa|Leone]]. They landed at [[Fagasā, American Samoa|Fagasa Bay]] and hiked over the hill to the High Chief Mauga in Pago Pago. Mauga welcomed the missionaries and gave them support. RMS {{ship|RMS|Dunottar Castle||2}} later moved to Pago Pago, becoming the second ship to enter [[Pago Pago Harbor]].<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|79–80}} Under the auspices of Maunga, Murray established a wooden residence in Pago Pago, where he endeavored to exemplify Christian living.<ref>Neems, Hugh (2014). ''Beyond The Reef''. Page 19. {{ISBN|978-1-291-73914-5}}.</ref><ref>Gray, John Alexander Clinton (1960). ''Amerika Samoa: A History of American Samoa and its United States Naval Administration''. [[United States Naval Institute]]. Page 38. {{ISBN|978-0-87021-074-7}}.</ref>

In 1834, [[Matthew Hunkin]] arrived in Pago Pago and served as a companion to Archibald Murray, both residing under the patronage of High Chief Mauga. Together, they conducted visits to villages situated along the eastern end of Tutuila. Subsequently, both men relocated to [[Leone, American Samoa|Leone]], where Murray undertook preparations to establish the [[Mission Institute for Pacific Islanders]] at [[Fagalele Boys School|Fagatele]], situated on the outskirts of Leone.<ref>Neems, Hugh (2016). ''A Vision Shared''. George Lambert. Page 45. {{ISBN|978-0-9557282-3-5}}.</ref>

Beginning in 1836, whaling vessels started calling at [[Pago Pago Harbor]], quickly transforming it into a favored stopover. Crews found it to be a secure place to rest, take on supplies, and carry out repairs. As of 1866, whalers no longer visited the Samoan Islands as whaling activities had shifted farther north.<ref>Gilson, Richard Phillip (1970). ''Samoa 1830 to 1900: The Politics of a Multi-cultural Community''. [[Oxford University Press]]. Pages 2, 144 and 183. {{ISBN|978-0-19-550301-2}}.</ref>

In 1837, Tutuila’s chiefs and Captain [[Charles Bethune]] of H.M.S. ''[[HMS Conway (1832)|Conway]]'' reached an agreement on Pago Pago’s first documented commercial port regulations, finalized on December 27 of that year.<ref>Gilson, Richard Phillip (1970). ''Samoa 1830 to 1900: The Politics of a Multi-cultural Community''. [[Oxford University Press]]. Pages 147 and 149. {{ISBN|978-0-19-550301-2}}.</ref><ref>Gray, John Alexander Clinton (1960). ''Amerika Samoa: A History of American Samoa and its United States Naval Administration''. [[United States Naval Institute]]. Pages 40-41. {{ISBN|978-0-87021-074-7}}.</ref>

On May 9, 1838, the [[London Missionary Society]] established a church in Pago Pago.<ref>Sorensen, Stan and Theroux, Joseph. The Samoan Historical Calendar, 1606-1997. Government of American Samoa. Page 113.</ref><ref>Gray, John Alexander Clinton (1960). ''Amerika Samoa: A History of American Samoa and its United States Naval Administration''. [[United States Naval Institute]]. Page 41. {{ISBN|978-0-87021-074-7}}.</ref><ref>Aitaoto, Fuimaono Fini (2021). ''Progress and Developments of the Churches in the Samoan Islands: Early 21St Century''. LifeRich Publishing. Page 96. {{ISBN|978-1-4897-3586-7}}.</ref>

In 1839, the Sāmoan Islands experienced its first recorded [[epidemic]], which resulted in the death of High Chief Mauga of Pago Pago. After his passing, Manuma assumed the title.<ref>Gilson, Richard Phillip (1970). ''Samoa 1830 to 1900: The Politics of a Multi-cultural Community''. [[Oxford University Press]]. Page 112. {{ISBN|978-0-19-550301-2}}.</ref><ref>Gray, John Alexander Clinton (1960). ''Amerika Samoa: A History of American Samoa and its United States Naval Administration''. [[United States Naval Institute]]. Pages 41-42. {{ISBN|978-0-87021-074-7}}.</ref> After the death of his stepbrother Pomale, Manuma provoked controversy within the Christian community by eloping with Pomale's widow. As a result, the ''aiga'' deposed him from his position. Nevertheless, Manuma was later reinstated, and he presided as the Mauga of Pago Pago until his death in 1849.<ref>Gray, John Alexander Clinton (1960). ''Amerika Samoa: A History of American Samoa and its United States Naval Administration''. [[United States Naval Institute]]. Page 43. {{ISBN|978-0-87021-074-7}}.</ref>

As early as 1839, American interest was generated for the Pago Pago area when Commander [[Charles Wilkes]], head of the [[United States Exploring Expedition]], surveyed Pago Pago Harbor and the island. Wilkes' favorable report attracted so much interest that the U.S. Navy began planning a move to the Pago Pago area. During his time in Pago Pago, Wilkes negotiated a set of “Commercial Regulations” with the matais of Pago Pago under the leadership of Paramount Ali'i Mauga. Wilkes' treaty was never ratified, but captains and Samoan leaders operated by it.<ref> Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001). ''Puputoa: Host of Heroes - A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900-2000''. Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. Page 183. {{ISBN|982-9036-02-2}}.</ref> Rumors of possible annexation by Britain or Germany were taken seriously by the U.S., and the U.S. Secretary of State [[Hamilton Fish]] sent Colonel [[Albert Steinberger]] to negotiate with Samoan chiefs on behalf of American interests.<ref>Freeman, Donald B. (2010). ''The Pacific''. Routledge. Page 167. {{ISBN|9780415775724}}.</ref> American interest in Pago Pago was also a result of Tutuila's central position in one of the world's richest whaling grounds.

On August 8, 1844, [[Archibald Wright Murray]] wrote a letter recounting how the Tutuilans, at one point, prepared to vacate their settlements and negotiate with the French while taking refuge in the highlands. Recognizing Pago Pago Harbor as the island’s most significant lure for European powers, they planned to cede it to [[France]] in return for a pledge safeguarding Tutuila’s independence.<ref>Gilson, Richard Phillip (1970). ''Samoa 1830 to 1900: The Politics of a Multi-cultural Community''. [[Oxford University Press]]. Page 125. {{ISBN|978-0-19-550301-2}}.</ref>

In 1871, the local [[Steamship|steamer]] business of W. H. Webb required coal and he sent Captain E. Wakeman to Samoa in order to evaluate the suitability of Pago Pago as a coaling station. Wakeman approved the harbor and alerted the [[U.S. Navy]] about [[German Empire|Germany]]'s intent to take over the area. The U.S. Navy responded a few months later by dispatching Commander [[Richard Meade (equestrian)|Richard Meade]] from [[Honolulu]], Hawaii to assess Pago Pago's suitability as a naval station. Meade arrived in Pago Pago on {{USS|Narragansett|1859|6}} and made a treaty with the Mauga for the exclusive use of the harbor and a set of commercial regulations to govern the trading and shipping in Pago Pago. He also purchased land for a new naval station.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|137–138}} High Chief Mauga of Pago Pago stated his wish for the village to be recognized as Tutuila Island’s capital.<ref>Gilson, Richard Phillip (1970). ''Samoa 1830 to 1900: The Politics of a Multi-cultural Community''. [[Oxford University Press]]. Page 279. {{ISBN|978-0-19-550301-2}}.</ref>

In 1872, the chief of Pago Pago signed a treaty with the U.S., giving the American government considerable influence on the island.<ref>Levi, Werner (1947). ''American-Australian Relations''. University of Minnesota Press. Page 73. {{ISBN|9780816658152}}.</ref> It was acquired by the United States through a treaty in 1877.<ref>Dixon, Joe C. (1980). ''The American Military and the Far East''. Diane Publishing. Page 139. {{ISBN|9781428993679}}.</ref> One year after the naval base was built at [[Pearl Harbor]] in 1887, the U.S. government established a naval station in Pago Pago.<ref>Stanley, George Edwards (2005). ''The Era of Reconstruction and Expansion (1865–1900)''. Gareth Stevens. Page 36. {{ISBN|9780836858273}}.</ref> It was primarily used as a fueling station for both naval- and commercial ships.<ref>Pafford, John (2013). ''The Forgotten Conservative: Rediscovering Grover Cleveland''. Regnery Publishing. Page 61. {{ISBN|9781621570554}}.</ref>

During the [[Tutuila War]] of 1877, all buildings in Pago Pago were destroyed. The war emerged during a tumultuous period, where Samoans were sharply divided over the future direction of their government. In response to the growing threat posed by the Puletua — a rising opposition faction — the Samoan leadership based in [[Apia]] sent [[Le Mamea Makalau|Mamea]] to Washington, D.C. to negotiate an agreement with the U.S. While Mamea was abroad, the Puletua launched a rebellion, escalating the situation into full-scale war in Tutuila. To regain control, government forces stationed in [[Leone, American Samoa|Leone]] advanced toward Pago Pago, where the rebel leader Mauga was headquartered. The troops burned every building in Pago Pago and pursued Mauga along with several hundred followers to [[Aunuʻu, American Samoa|Aunu’u Island]]. The Puletua faction on Tutuila, led by the former U.S. Consul to [[Kingdom of Samoa|Sāmoa]], S. S. Foster, who had moved to Pago Pago after his dismissal, and Mauga, found Aunu’u incapable of supporting their forces. Consequently, they returned to Tutuila where they soon surrendered.<ref>Gray, John Alexander Clinton (1960). ''Amerika Samoa: A History of American Samoa and its United States Naval Administration''. [[United States Naval Institute]]. Page 65. {{ISBN|978-0-87021-074-7}}.</ref><ref>Pearl, Frederic and Sandy Loiseau-Vonruff (2007). “Father Julien Vidal and the Social Transformation of a Small Polynesian Village (1787–1930): Historical Archaeology at Massacre Bay, American Samoa”. [[International Journal of Historical Archaeology]]. 11(1): pages 37-39. ISSN 1092-7697.</ref>

In 1878, the U.S. Navy first established a coaling station, right outside [[Fagatogo]]. The United States Navy later bought land east of Fagatogo and on Goat Island, an adjacent peninsula. Sufficient land was obtained in 1898 and the construction of [[United States Naval Station Tutuila]] was completed in 1902. The station commander doubled as [[Governor of American Samoa|American Samoa's Governor]] from 1899 to 1905, when the station commandant was designated Naval Governor of American Samoa. [[American Samoa Fono|The Fono]] (legislature) served as an advisory council to the governor.<ref name="Rottman-2002">Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). ''World War II Pacific Island Guide: A Geo-military Study''. Greenwood Publishing Group. {{ISBN|9780313313950}}.</ref>{{rp|84–85}}

Despite the Samoan Islands being a part of the United States, the [[United Kingdom]] and Germany maintained a strong naval presence in the area. Twice between 1880 and 1900, the U.S. Navy came close to taking part in a shooting war while its only true interest was the establishment of a coaling station in Pago Pago. The U.S. quietly purchased land around the harbor for the construction of the naval station. It rented land on Fagatogo Beach for $10/month in order to store the coal. Admiral [[Lewis Kimberly]] was ordered to Pago Pago while in [[Apia]] waiting for transportation home after the hurricane of 1889. In Pago Pago, he selected a site for the new coaling station and naval base. In June 1890, the [[U.S. Congress]] passed an appropriation of $100,000 for the purpose of permanently establishing a station for the naval and commercial marine. With the appropriation, the [[United States State Department|State Department]] sent Consul [[Harold M. Sewall]] from Apia to Pago Pago to buy six tracts of land for the project. Some parts were previously owned by the Polynesian Land Company, while other tracts were still owned by Samoan families. For the defense of the harbor in event of a naval war, the U.S. Navy wanted to purchase headlands and mountainsides above the Lepua Catholic Church which directly faced the harbor's entrance.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|138–139}}

In 1883, a conflict began at [[Pago Pago Bay]] between Mauga Lei and Mauga Manuma. The dispute revolved around the entitlement to the title "Mauga". Mauga Lei's actions led to widespread dissatisfaction among the residents of [[Fagatogo, American Samoa|Fagatogo]] and [[Aua, American Samoa|Aua]], culminating in the [[Taua o Sa’ousoali'i]] conflict. The residents of [[Fagasā, American Samoa|Fagasā]] joined Pago Pago village in an effort to overthrow Mauga Lei and support Manuma. The uprising forced Mauga Lei's forces to [[Aunuʻu, American Samoa|Aunuʻu]]. Mauga Lei, who had a close friendship with King [[Malietoa Laupepa]], secured intervention through two warships to resolve the hostilities. Intervention came in the form of a peace mission led by HMS ''[[HMS Miranda (1879)|Miranda]]'', under Captain [[Sir William Acland, 2nd Baronet|William A. Dyke Acland]], and supported by the German gunboat SMS ''[[SMS Hyäne (1878)|Hyäne]]''. Both Mauga Lei and Mauga Manuma were summoned to a peace conference aboard the HMS ''Miranda''. Both initially resisted boarding the ship but eventually relented after diplomatic pressure. The agreement that followed emphasized reconciliation and required both parties to disarm publicly.<ref>Churchward, William Brown (1887). ''My Consulate in Samoa: A Record of Four Years' Sojourn in the Navigators Islands, with Personal Experiences of King Malietoa Laupepa, His Country and His Men''. [[Richard Bentley and Son]]. Pages 335-346.</ref><ref>Ryan, James and Joan Schwartz (2021). ''Picturing Place: Photography and the Geographical Imagination''. [[Taylor & Francis]]. {{ISBN|978-1-000-54878-5}}.</ref> The conflict led to the deaths of 12 people.<ref>Edwards, Elizabeth (2021). ''Raw Histories: Photographs, Anthropology and Museums''. [[Taylor & Francis]]. {{ISBN|978-1-000-18129-6}}.</ref>

In 1887, the ''[[Kaimiloa]]'', a 171-ton steamer and the only warship in the fleet of [[King Kalākaua]] of [[Hawai‘i]], was sent on a diplomatic mission to the Sāmoan Islands as part of the Hawaiian monarch's initiative to create a united Polynesian kingdom. The journey included visits to several key locations, including Pago Pago, which was an important trading hub at the time. Historical accounts document the trade of the Kaimiloa's cannons to the Samoans, with at least one of these cannons now preserved and on display at the [[Jean P. Haydon Museum]].<ref>Chappell, David A. (2016). ''Double Ghosts: Oceanian Voyagers on Euroamerican Ships''. [[Taylor & Francis]]. {{ISBN|978-1-315-47911-8}}.</ref><ref>Cook, Kealani (2016). ''Return to Kahiki: Native Hawaiians in Oceania''. [[Cambridge University Press]]. Page 95. {{ISBN|978-1-107-19589-9}}.</ref>

In 1889, [[Robert Louis Stevenson]] paid a visit to Pago Pago.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Robert Louis Stevenson|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|date=5 February 2019}}</ref>

On May 27, 1893, a branch of the [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS Church]] was established in Pago Pago. The church had first arrived on the island in 1863 and became formally organized on Tutuila in 1888.<ref>Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ''Family and Church History Department (2005). Deseret News 2006 Church Almanac: Joseph’s Journeys''. [[Deseret Book Company]]. Page 285. {{ISBN|978-1-59038-556-2}}.</ref>

In 1898, a [[California]]-based construction and engineering firm was contracted to build the coal depot. The naval engineer in charge was W. I. Chambers. On April 30, 1899, Commander [[Benjamin Franklin Tilley]] sailed from [[Norfolk, Virginia]] on {{USS|Abarenda|AC-13|6}} with a cargo of coal and steel for the project. The U.S. Navy was the only American agency present in the area, and it was made responsible for administering the new territory.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|139–140}}

In 1899, Pago Pago became the [[administrative capital]] of American Samoa.<ref name="britannica.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Pago-Pago|title=Pago Pago {{pipe}} American Samoa|website=Britannica.com|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019061343/https://www.britannica.com/place/Pago-Pago|archive-date=October 19, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Carpenter, Allan (1993). ''Facts about the Cities''. Wilson. Page 11. {{ISBN|9780924208003}}.</ref> Pago Pago and Tutuila Island were formally part of the [[Kingdom of Samoa]] until 1899, when they became U.S. territory.<ref>Lavatai, Sanele Faasua (2018). ''The Ifoga Ritual in Samoa in Anthropological and in Biblical Perspectives''. Missionshilfe Verlag. Page 116. {{ISBN|978-3-946426-06-6}}.</ref><ref>Tu’u’u, Misilugi Tulifau Tofaeono (2002). ''History of Samoa Islands: Supremacy & Legacy of the Malietoa''. Tuga'ula Publication. Page 427. {{ISBN|978-0-9582199-1-4}}.</ref>

On April 17, 1900, the first [[American flag]] was raised at Sogelau Hill above the site of the new wharf and coaling facilities in Fagatogo. For the ceremony, a group of invitees from [[Apia]] arrived with German Governor Heinrich Solf onboard {{SMS|Cormoran|1892|6}}. USS ''Abarenda'', home of B. F. Tilley and his new government, was in the harbor. American consul Luther W. Osborn arrived from Apia, and many spectators arrived from American Samoa villages and other countries. Tilley was the master of ceremonies and began the program by reading the Proclamation of the President of the United States, which asserted American sovereignty over the islands. Next was the reading of the Order of the Secretary of the Navy, followed by chiefs who read the [[Deed of Cession of Tutuila|Deed of Cession]], which they had written and signed. Before raising the flag, reverend E. V. Cooper of the [[London Missionary Society]] (LMS) and reverend Father Meinaidier of the Roman Catholic Mission offered prayers. Students from the LMS school in [[Fagalele Boys School|Fagalele]] sang the national anthem. The two ships, ''Comoran'' and ''Abarenda'', fired the national salutes.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|145–146}}<ref name="Shaffer-2000"/>{{rp|111}} The [[Deed of Cession of Tutuila]] and [[Aunu'u]] Islands was signed on [[Gagamoe]], and formalized the relationship between the U.S. and American Samoa. Gagamoe is an area in Pago Pago which is the Mauga family's communal and sacred land.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1826:5ASR3d254&catid=85 |title=American Samoa Bar Association |access-date=2019-09-08 |archive-date=2020-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110180207/http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1826:5ASR3d254&catid=85 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Stoler, Ann Laura and Willy Brandt (2006). ''Haunted by Empire: Geographies of Intimacy in North American History''. Duke University Press. Page 88. {{ISBN|9780822337249}}.</ref>