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Mid-1800s Era Sunken Anchor
During production of the documentary Hidden Pacific, released in 2019, divers photographed this anchor off the western reefs. While the anchor itself was not a new discovery, these high resolution images offer a very detailed look at one of the most…
Date: 2017
Pan American Airways Private Code Book
This book was used by radiomen and navigators working for Pan Am Airways, during the 1930's. Anyone listening in to the transmission, who didn't have a copy of these codes, would not have understood the message. This excerpt features the code word…
Date: 1936-08-01
Terrestrial Biota Survey Photo Collection
Starting in February of 1992, a team of US Fish and Wildlife scientists visited Palmyra. The summary report describes the purpose of the visit as follows:
"Our goal was to characterize the terrestrial biota of the atoll in terms of species…
"Our goal was to characterize the terrestrial biota of the atoll in terms of species…
Date: 1992-02-18
Account of Admiral Nimitz Visiting Palmyra
This personal account is of Waitsell Leon GIvens, a Navy Radioman, 2nd Class who was stationed on Palmyra during World War 2. Throughout his life, he would often tell his family the attached story, as relayed by his daughter.
Confirmation of…
Confirmation of…
Date: 1943-06-18
Wayne Avery Collection
These photos were sent to us by world class sailor and "yachtie", Wayne Avery. He visited Palmyra with his wife in 1985 and again in 1994.
Beyond the photos, Wayne shared several stories from his time on Palmyra, we're very grateful for his…
Beyond the photos, Wayne shared several stories from his time on Palmyra, we're very grateful for his…
Date: 1984
Letter from Judge Cooper to the Governor of Hawaii
This letter, with a 1922 preface and explanation from the Navy (who retained the original letter), was written by Judge Henry E. Cooper of Hawaii, to then Governor of Hawaii, W.F. Frear. According to the letter, Cooper was concerned that a British…
Date: 1912-01-12
Clipper Makes Unscheduled "Mercy" Landing at Palmyra
Brief article about a CAA (forerunner to the FAA) employee who had to be emergency airlifted to Honolulu after a fish bone became lodged in his throat. Lucky for him, the Pan Am Clipper Celestial (a Douglas DC-4) was nearby and able to divert to…
Date: 1948-05-05
Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Soceity, Vol. 14, No. 1
Several brief excerpts from this report (as highlighted in blue), describe expeditions to Palmyra to study the fly and mosquito populations. These are the only mention of these expeditions we know of, and are also the first scientific confirmation…
Date: 1950-03
Friends Wave and Whistles Salute as Voyagers Sail
This article describes the scene as Captain Weisbarth and his crew set sail for Tapiteauea, where his wife and several of the other passengers were born. This article is especially unique, because of its photograph showing Mrs. Weisbarth, who is…
Date: 1914-07-06
Notes on the Birds of Palmyra
This account by ornithologist Dr. Frank Richardson, describes the observed bird species and behaviors during a short visit to Palmyra in 1953. Dr. Richardson was part of a 45 member team, led by investor Richard Kimball, to evaluate Palmyra as a…
Date: 1953
Pacific Islands, Vol. III, Sailing Directions
For much of maritime history, sailors relied on their first hand experience, and hand drawn charts to plot their course across the oceans. Volumes like this, Sailing Directions for Pacific Islands, helped them not only find or avoid islands, but…
Date: 1900
A Tale of Palmyra Isle
This fun, witty limerick tells what we can only assume is a fictitious story of a tree climbing crab on Palmyra, who would call out to a turtle to crack coconuts on its shell, and together they would eat them. This is described in the climax of the…
Date: 1913-10-07
Early 1940s National Archives Aerials
These images, primarily aerials from 1941 and 1942, show the progression of Naval construction activities on Palmyra. There are a few ground shots of buildings as well, showing freshly finished structures.
The truly unique property of these…
The truly unique property of these…
Date: 1941/1942
Pearls of Palmyra
This track, from the golden age of Hawaiian Lounge music, is off the album Polynesian Paradise by Phil Moore and his orchestra. Its also called Pearls of Paradise on some pressings, but as you can see from the album label, it was also (and likely…
Date: 1959
History of Naval Air Station Palmyra Island, Territory of Hawaii
This chronology describes, in great detail, the construction and operational events before and during the Navy occupation of Palmyra. Everything from the safe landing of specific aircraft completion dates of specific buildings and features, as…
Date: 1945
Postcard from USMC Sergeant Elwin E. Maylone
This postcard continues a conversation between USMC Sgt. Elwin E. Maylone and Sacramento, California resident Mr. Chas. M. Borba.
This would have been sent prior to main construction phase on Palmyra being finished, so Sgt. Maylone likely lived…
This would have been sent prior to main construction phase on Palmyra being finished, so Sgt. Maylone likely lived…
Date: 1943-02-18
A Fish Story (pt. 4)
This is part 4 of 4, from an article series written by Lorrin Thurston, on his recent trip to Palmyra. This true "fish story", describes young crew member Teddy Dranga's fight with a giant eel, who had swallowed the fish, that had swallowed Teddy's…
Date: 1922-10-08
A Fish Story (pt. 1)
This is part 1 of 4, from an article series written by Lorrin Thurston, on his recent trip to Palmyra. Here he describes how large game fish are caught aboard a typical sampan fishing vessel. This particular event took place at Kingman Reef, on the…
Date: 1922-08-04
A Fish Story (pt. 3)
This is part 3 of 4, from an article series written by Lorrin Thurston, on his recent trip to Palmyra. This colorful account describes a wrestling match between a young local, Teddy Dranga, and a large Tuna they hoped to have for dinner. …
Date: 1922-08-12
Many Perish Seeking Lost Loot of Pirates
A detailed account of the Legend of the Esperanza. Much of the information is the same as what's found in other articles, but there are a few slight variations.
Date: 1923-06-05
