Outer islands
The atolls and low islands of all four states.
96 events in the record, 1821–2026
How much was written down
Each star is an event in the record for Outer islands, set in the era it falls in. Dense skies mean many foreign ships, missions and officials wrote things down; sparse ones mean they did not, not that less happened.
Read the counts as a table
| Era | Pohnpei | Kosrae | Chuuk | Yap | Outer islands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The contact era 1820–1885 | 63 | 67 | 39 | 47 | 45 |
| Spanish rule 1885–1899 | 41 | 12 | 4 | 25 | 2 |
| German rule 1899–1914 | 46 | 10 | 16 | 30 | 8 |
| Japanese rule 1914–1941 | 37 | 10 | 28 | 25 | 8 |
| World War II 1941–1945 | 15 | 9 | 19 | 13 | 7 |
| The Trust Territory 1945–1979 | 53 | 13 | 44 | 32 | 8 |
| Road to nationhood 1965–1979 | 27 | 7 | 20 | 20 | 3 |
| Free association 1982–2026 | 95 | 42 | 72 | 51 | 17 |
| Politics and society since 1979 1979–2026 | 100 | 47 | 80 | 58 | 19 |
| Recent years 2023–2026 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 2 |
Outer islands and the Sokehs resettlement
Typhoon refugees filled Sokehs after the exile
Outer islanders “began to arrive about 1906 and were considerably augmented in 1912,” mostly Mortlockese displaced by typhoons (Riesenberg 1968). Most settled in the six villages on Sokehs Island. The 1907 Good Friday typhoon in the Mortlocks drove people first to Pohnpei, then on to Saipan (Spennemann, Melimel).
Germany declared Sokehs government land and leased it in hereditary tenure to Pohnpeians from other districts (Bundesarchiv). The 1920 Kolonial-Lexikon says families from the Mortlocks, Mokil and Pingelap had “considerably increased” Pohnpei’s population (Kolonial-Lexikon, Ponape). Riesenberg does not say the 1912 settlers got confiscated Sokehs land directly, so that link stays an inference.
A 1911–12 count found 3,190 Pohnpeians, 585 Central Carolinians and 279 Melanesian soldiers (Riesenberg 1968). By 1947 there were 1,177 non-Pohnpeians on the island, 664 of them Mortlockese (Riesenberg 1968). Only 242 Sokehs people were counted that year (Morlang, via Perlentaucher).
Kapingamarangi built a village in Kolonia
Marshallese raiders “slaughtered over half the Kapinga population in 1865” (EveryCulture). Under Japan, Kapinga men worked Pohnpei’s roads and plantations, and in 1919 they got land in Kolonia that became Porakiet. By 1997 about half of roughly 2,000 Kapinga lived in Porakiet (University of Oregon).
Pingelap’s typhoon left a genetic mark
The typhoon Liengkieki “decimated most of the island population” in 1775 (Ben Simon et al. 2004). Today 6–10% of Pingelapese have achromatopsia, a total color blindness, and up to 30% carry the gene. In one clinical study, 17 of 27 patients came from Mand, a Pingelapese village on Pohnpei.
Ngatik’s population descends from the 1837 attackers
The Lambton party of “several Europeans and twenty Ponapeans, all armed,” killed every adult man on Ngatik (Tryon 2001). Women and infants were spared, and Irishman Paddy Gorman was installed as chief for turtle shell. The outsiders who stayed formed the base of today’s roughly 500 people.
Mortlockese saw Pohnpei as a center of craft and war
In 1828 Mortlockese took Lütke’s mahogany furniture for Pohnpeian work and spoke of Pohnpeians as formidable warriors (Lütke, vol. II). They ranked Pohnpeian cloth above Kosrae’s, and Kosrae’s above their own. A Lukunor elder named Eboung drew a map that put Pohnpei first.
Outer islands through every era
Ten chapters, most recent open. Each starts with what the chapter says about Outer islands, then a spread of its events.
The contact era
He found iron tools in the Mortlocks and Spanish words in the Mortlocks and Namonuito (Hezel, Truk; Lütke, vol. II). He spent only about a day off Chuuk’s reef.
In July 1837 the Sydney cutter Lambton attacked Ngatik (Sapwuahfik) in search of turtle shell (Wikipedia, Ngatik massacre). Lin Poyer says nearly every adult man was killed, while another writer says about 20 survived. The crew and Pohnpeians then repopulated the atoll, giving rise to Ngatik Men’s Creole.
Events
12 of 45 events, spread across the era.
- 7 Jun
The James Scott (John Mackenzie) trades with Ulithi canoes and names the atoll the “Mackenzie Group.”
- 5 Jul
The Coquille sights Satawal and learns its name from islanders trading for iron.
- 3–4 Apr
The Senyavin visits Ifalik and spends five days at Woleai.
- Jul
The Lambton’s crew and armed Pohnpeians massacre Ngatik’s men over two days, seeking turtle shell; toll disputed.
- 29 Dec
USS Flying Fish finds Ulithians using iron tools.
- 25 Jan
After an earthquake and tsunami, Satawal and Lamotrek people sail to Guam to join relatives on Saipan.
- 8 Jul
The Morning Star meets two canoes of Pingelap people sailing to the Marshalls.
- c. 1871 (MicSem list: Jan 1872)
Blackbirder Carl carries off Mortlockese, about 20 from Satawan (Hezel) or 47 by smashing canoes (MicSem list).
- 28 Mar
The Rupak finds Woleai’s people starving, with an Englishman living ashore.
- Jan
German warship SMS Hertha forces the return of property stolen from an English trader and surveys outer islands.
- Mar
The Lotus carries 38 Marshallese found after 60 days adrift.
- Jan
The Mazeppa takes trader John Westwood off Lukunor after six years.
Spanish rule
The chapter “Spanish rule” does not name Outer islands directly. Read the chapter: Spanish rule
Where the record is thin
2 Outer islands events recorded for these years, against 41 for Pohnpei.
Events
- 28 Nov
A storm surge leaves Ngatik awash for eight days and kills all its breadfruit; Pingelap also has a surge.
-
Fr. Daniel visits Woleai and other atolls by Spanish gunboat, beginning outer-island evangelization.
German rule
A severe 1905 typhoon brought famine to Pohnpei, and residents traded many guns for food relief (Habele, “German Period”). Another typhoon devastated Woleai in Yap’s outer islands in 1907. Disarmament stayed partial, which helps explain why the 1910 rebels were well armed.
About 50 exiles died and over 100 men worked Angaur’s phosphate mines (Bundesarchiv). Germany declared Sokehs government land and leased it to Pohnpeians from other districts. Mortlockese and other outer islanders also settled there from 1912 (Bundesarchiv; Riesenberg 1968).
Where the record is thin
8 Outer islands events recorded for these years, against 46 for Pohnpei.
Events
- May
District officer Senfft returns Ulithians who had drifted to the Visayas.
- 19–20 Apr (MicSem: 20 Apr; Kosrae outline: 19–22 Apr)
Typhoon kills 25–46 people; 113 more die later on Pingelap; Pohnpei damage about 4 million marks.
- about
Outer islanders, mostly typhoon-displaced Mortlockese, begin arriving to settle on Pohnpei.
- Mar (Good Friday)
A typhoon devastates the Mortlocks; German ships move survivors to Pohnpei and Saipan.
-
A disastrous typhoon devastates Woleai, and the administration sends relief.
- Apr
Fr. Gebhard and Br. Eustachius leave Pohnpei to found the Lukunor mission; the Sokehs station closes.
-
Outer-island settlers, mostly Mortlockese, are “considerably augmented,” settling mainly in Sokehs Island’s six villages.
- early
Mortlocks epidemics ease; Lukunor has over 50 Catholics.
Japanese rule
The chapter “Japanese rule” does not name Outer islands directly. Read the chapter: Japanese rule
Where the record is thin
8 Outer islands events recorded for these years, against 37 for Pohnpei.
Events
-
The Japanese administration gives Kapingamarangi people land in Kolonia, which becomes Porakiet.
- 8 Oct
Artist-ethnographer Hijikata Hisakatsu and carpenter Sugiura Sasuke arrive on Satawal.
-
A native public school is founded in the Mortlocks .
-
The census counts 408 people on Ulithi, plus one Japanese on Falalop.
-
Japanese authorities count 570 residents and one Japanese national on Woleai.
- Nov
Japan opens a weather substation on Asor, Ulithi.
- Dec
Hijikata Hisakatsu ends his seven-year stay on Satawal.
-
Meteorological observatory ordinance lists stations including Ponape, Yap and Pingelap .
World War II
The chapter “World War II” does not name Outer islands directly. Read the chapter: World War II
Where the record is thin
7 Outer islands events recorded for these years, against 19 for Chuuk.
Events
- 30 Mar
A US raid wrecks the Asor weather station; the Japanese then remove 84 men and 15 women from Ulithi.
- 1 Apr–27 Apr 1945
US air missions against Woleai, starting 1 April 1944.
- Apr
About 7,000 Japanese soldiers arrive to defend Woleai and its airfield.
- 1 May
A US cruiser bombardment group shells Satawan in the Mortlocks and Ponape.
- 20 Sep (or 21–23 Sep)
US forces occupy Ulithi without opposition, guided by men from Federai.
- 28 Sep
The US commander orders the people of Mogmog, Sorlen, Falalop and Asor moved onto Fassarai.
- 20 Nov
A Japanese kaiten human torpedo sinks the US oiler Mississinewa in Ulithi lagoon, killing 63 crew.
The Trust Territory
The chapter “The Trust Territory” does not name Outer islands directly. Read the chapter: The Trust Territory
Where the record is thin
8 Outer islands events recorded for these years, against 53 for Pohnpei.
Events
- summer
The US Naval Military Government counted 418 people on Ulithi.
-
The census counted 1,177 non-Pohnpeians on Ponape, 664 of them Mortlockese.
- 12 Nov
Typhoon Lola flooded Mokil’s settlement, wrecked the new PICS site at Kolonia and forced food relief to Pingelap; no deaths reported.
- 30 Nov
Typhoon Ophelia passed directly over Ulithi, killing two boys, wrecking about a quarter of houses and most canoes, and ruining taro.
- 7 Jan
The M/V Erroll brought 200 baskets of taro, yams and chestnuts from Gagil, Yap, for Ulithi’s typhoon relief.
- Nov
About 84% of Faichuk and 71% of Mortlocks voters reportedly backed separation from Truk District.
-
The US agreed for the first time to negotiate separately with Marshall Islands and Palau delegations.
- 8 Jan
John Mangefel was sworn in as Yap’s first elected governor; the lieutenant governor took his oath on Ulithi on 10 Jan.
Road to nationhood
The chapter “Road to nationhood” does not name Outer islands directly. Read the chapter: Road to nationhood
Where the record is thin
3 Outer islands events recorded for these years, against 27 for Pohnpei.
Events
- Nov
About 84% of Faichuk and 71% of Mortlocks voters reportedly backed separation from Truk District.
-
The US agreed for the first time to negotiate separately with Marshall Islands and Palau delegations.
- 8 Jan
John Mangefel was sworn in as Yap’s first elected governor; the lieutenant governor took his oath on Ulithi on 10 Jan.
Free association
The chapter “Free association” does not name Outer islands directly. Read the chapter: Free association
Where the record is thin
17 Outer islands events recorded for these years, against 95 for Pohnpei.
Events
12 of 17 events, spread across the era.
- 28 Sep
Japanese PM Nakasone meets President Nakayama and the Marshall Islands and Palau presidents in Tokyo.
- 20 Aug
Continental Airlines, the Marshall Islands and the FSM sign an agreement to create a new airline.
- 18 Oct
Ngatik is renamed Sapwuahfik as its municipal constitution takes effect.
- 16–18 May
Typhoon Lola damages Mokil and Pingelap airstrips; US disaster declared 3 June (DR-765).
- 5 Jun
Mwoakilloa (formerly Mokil) implements its constitution and inaugurates its airstrip.
- 28 Sep
FSM, Palau and the Marshall Islands sign an agreement recognizing the Micronesian Shipping Commission.
- 8–10 Jan
Typhoon Axel hits Kosrae, Pohnpei and Pingelap; US declaration DR-934 on 7 February.
- Mar–May
Drought emergency for Truk and Pingelap; US declaration 3093 on 20 May.
- 23 & 26 Sep
Two FSM citizens in the US Army die: PFC Glendon Nery of Ulithi in Texas, and PFC Henry Paul of Pohnpei in Iraq.
- 8–26 Dec
Tidal surges and high tides flood outer islands. Pohnpei (19 Dec), Kosrae (24 Dec), Chuuk and Yap (26 Dec) declare emergencies.
- 24 Sep
In New York, the US, FSM, Marshall Islands and Palau sign a joint statement on the Compacts; Simina meets Biden.
- 10 Feb
FSM-funded Woleai airport opens, dedicated to the late President Urusemal.
Politics and society since 1979
The chapter “Politics and society since 1979” does not name Outer islands directly. Read the chapter: Politics and society since 1979
Where the record is thin
19 Outer islands events recorded for these years, against 100 for Pohnpei.
Events
12 of 19 events, spread across the era.
- 8 Jan
John Mangefel was sworn in as Yap’s first elected governor; the lieutenant governor took his oath on Ulithi on 10 Jan.
- 28 Sep
Japanese PM Nakasone meets President Nakayama and the Marshall Islands and Palau presidents in Tokyo.
- 20 Aug
Continental Airlines, the Marshall Islands and the FSM sign an agreement to create a new airline.
- 18 Oct
Ngatik is renamed Sapwuahfik as its municipal constitution takes effect.
- 26 Feb
Diplomatic relations established with the Marshall Islands; Nauru follows on 10 April.
- 5 Jun
Mwoakilloa (formerly Mokil) implements its constitution and inaugurates its airstrip.
- 25–29 Nov
Typhoon Yuri hits Truk, Pohnpei and Pingelap; US declaration DR-926 on 10 December.
- 8–10 Jan
Typhoon Axel hits Kosrae, Pohnpei and Pingelap; US declaration DR-934 on 7 February.
- 5 May
FSM and the Marshall Islands sign a bilateral air transport agreement at Palikir.
- 8–26 Dec
Tidal surges and high tides flood outer islands. Pohnpei (19 Dec), Kosrae (24 Dec), Chuuk and Yap (26 Dec) declare emergencies.
- 29 Mar–1 Apr
Typhoon Maysak hits Chuuk Lagoon, then Ulithi and Fais. Five deaths and about 35,000 affected; most Ulithi homes destroyed.
- 10 Feb
FSM-funded Woleai airport opens, dedicated to the late President Urusemal.
Recent years
The chapter “Recent years” does not name Outer islands directly. Read the chapter: Recent years
Where the record is thin
2 Outer islands events recorded for these years, against 16 for Yap.
Events
- 24 Sep
In New York, the US, FSM, Marshall Islands and Palau sign a joint statement on the Compacts; Simina meets Biden.
- 10 Feb
FSM-funded Woleai airport opens, dedicated to the late President Urusemal.