The first Capuchin friars leave Spain for the Carolines.

What happened

The Capuchin mission was sent because the dispute with Germany had drawn attention to the Carolines; MicSem’s history calls it an “eleventh-hour attempt” by Spain to plant both flag and faith. After 42 days at sea, during which one friar died of fever, the Capuchins reached Manila; six went on to Yap in June, while those meant for Pohnpei waited in the Philippines until early 1887.