NAURU ISLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 295, 16 December 1940, Page 6

NAURU ISLAND

IMPORTANT TO WANG AN I I Since 1899 the history of Nauru, or Pleasants Island, has been that of its rich phosphate deposits. Discovered by Captain Fern, of the American whaling ship Hunter, in 1789. it was annexed by the Germans in 1888. It was then the haunt of beachcombers. In 1889 an accidental discovery was made in Sydney, from a geological specimen, of the presence of phosphate rock on the island. In June. 1906, a company was formed and operations began with a staff of British and Germans. Shortly after the outbreak of the last war the island passed into the possession of the British. It was surrendered to H.M.A.S. Melbourne. For years the Port of Wanganui nas benefited by trade with Nauru, obtaining large supplies of phosphate for Kempthorne. Prosser s works at Aramoho. It was only recently that the American freighter Warrior called at Wanganui to discharge phosphate. The Warrior was the largest vessel to nnter the port.