Basilaki Island

History

First recorded sighting by Europeans was by the Spanish expedition of Luís Vaez de Torres on 18 July 1606, that charted it as San Buenaventura (after Saint Bonaventure).

A party of French naturalists was believed to have been murdered in James Bay in October 1880.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2856635/further_massacres/|title=Further massacres...|work=The Record-Union

This island was the scene of the murder of two sailors by natives in Hoopiron Bay, July 28, 1885. The men were Captain John Friar and John Watkins, a carpenter of Lallah Rook, a schooner registered in Saint John, New Brunswick. The vessel anchored in the bay to take on fresh water. After the murders, the crew sailed away.

The murders were revenge taken for two unpaid-for deaths of natives in Friar's employ. Despite a two-day search of the island on October 16, by the crews of Governor Blackall, and and , the murderers were not found, although the skulls of Friar and the carpenter were recovered and given a burial at sea. Later Diamond returned and burned all the villages nearby.

Three planes were ditched off the island in 1943, a P-38H Lightning, a P-38F Lightning, and a B-24D Liberator "The Leila Belle".

Administration

The island is part of the following Wards:

• Hamama, on the western part.
• Buairi, which is on Buairi island, includes a small portion of the western part.
• Habani, on the south-central area.
• Gigia, on the north-central area. (with Bwanadalu island)
• Bedauna, on the southeast area (with Kitai islands)
• Yokowa, on the northeast area.

All Wards belong to Bwanabwana Rural Local Level Government Area LLG, Samarai-Murua District, which are in Milne Bay Province.

Geography

Basilaki is located on the east of Samarai Islands of the Louisiade Archipelago. The island is part of the Basilaki group. Mount Kova Sina (Fairfax) reaches a height of 531 m, and is located at the center of the island. Mount Baiaule is 444 m, and is located at the center of the island. Mount Salawie is 333 m, and is located at the south of the island.

Demographics

The population of 1883 is living in 37 villages across the island. Yokowa, where the school is located, is the largest village. although, the main dock is at Habani, at the other side of the island. List of villages: Hoopiron Bay, Gaiogaiokawasi, Baiaule, Hilomai, Habani, Halahalawuwu, Salewai, Wetoa, Dauyai, Hiliki, Towina, Kawalolo, Bedauna, Mwahui, Kalotau, Taladio, Agarauna, Huba, Yokowa, Dahidahina, Siu, Pihigole, Gigia, Doba, Tanubuibuina, Delina, Tutuila, Hewoli, Hamama, Duiauna, Nuanuatieu, Gogolabia, Hakalihi, Bogala, Kalamadau, Yahala.

Economy

The islanders, are farmers as opposed to eastern Louisiade Archipelago islanders. they grow Sago, Taro, and Yams for crops.

Transportation

There is a dock at Habani.

References

• http://islands.unep.ch/IHD.htm#840

References

1. [https://books.google.com/books?id=TnHGVP_BfgUC&pg=PA168 Prostar Sailing Directions 2004 New Guinea Enroute], p. 168
2. Admiralty hydrogr. dept. (1879). "The Australia directory. Vol.2. 2nd-6th ed. [With]".
3. Coello, Francisco "Notas sobre los planos de las bahias descubiertas en el año 1606 en las islas de Espiritú Santo y de Nueva Guinea, que dibujo el capitán Don Diego de Prado y Tovar, en igual fecha"" ''Boletín de Sociedad Geográfica de Madrid'', t.IV. 1º semestre 1878, Madrid, p.67
4. Sharp, Andrew ''The discovery of the Pacific Islands'' Oxford, 1960, p.66.
5. Brand, Donald D. ''The Pacific Basin: A History of its Geographical Explorations'' The American Geographical Society, New York, 1967, p.137.
6. (19 Feb 1881). "Further atrocities in the South Seas". Daily Honolulu Press.
7. Resurgo says July 2
8. Resurgo says [[barque]]
9. (1990). "Resurgo : the history of Moncton". City of Moncton.
10. Sir Peter Scratchley. (1887). "Australian defences and New Guinea". Macmillan.
11. Sir Peter Scratchley. (1887). "Australian defences and New Guinea". Macmillan.
12. [http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/png_basilisk.html Basilaki Island] Pacific Wrecks
13. "LLG map".
14. "map".