First Fiji Expedition
Encyclopedia
The First Fiji Expedition undertaken by the United States
Navy occurred in October 1855 during the civil war
on the islands. In response to the alleged arson
attacks on the American commercial agent in Lautoka
, Viti Levu
, the navy sent a warship to demand compensation for the attack from King
Seru Epenisa Cakobau
.
fire and caught on fire. The Fijians were allegedly celebrating the Fourth of July when cannon balls fell on the building. The second incident happened the same year as the expedition when, again, fire was to interrupt John Williams duties. After another accidental fire on Nukulau
destroyed his store and some Fijians looted the place. USS John Adams
, under Commander
Edward B. Boutwell, was sent to monitor the unrest in October and her crew were landed on more than one occasion to protect American interests. When Commander Boutwell heard of the incidents involving William's house and store, he demanded $5,000 in compensation from King Cakobau. This initial claim was supplemented by further claims totalling $38,000. A deadline was given and if the natives failed to pay so and a landing party of marines and sailor
s was sent ashore to capture the king in the island's village. Fijian warrior
s put up some resistance and one American service man was killed and two were wounded. Ultimately the men of USS John Adams were successful in routing a contingent of natives from Lautoka but Cakobau and the survivors escaped capture. A second expedition
in 1858, involving the crew of USS Vandalia
, achieved clearer results but in the end, Cakobau's debt was never paid.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Navy occurred in October 1855 during the civil war
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
on the islands. In response to the alleged arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
attacks on the American commercial agent in Lautoka
Lautoka
Lautoka is the second largest city of Fiji and the second largest in the South Pacific. It is in the west of the island of Viti Levu, 24 kilometres north of Nadi, and is the second port of entry in Fiji, after Suva. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane growing region, it is known as the Sugar...
, Viti Levu
Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.- Geography and economy :...
, the navy sent a warship to demand compensation for the attack from King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
Seru Epenisa Cakobau
Seru Epenisa Cakobau
Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau was a Fijian Ratu and warlord who united part of Fiji's warring tribes under his leadership, establishing a united Fijian kingdom.-Background:...
.
Expedition
The first incident that led to the American expedition was in 1849 when the house owned by agent John Brown Williams was hit by cannonCannon
A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
fire and caught on fire. The Fijians were allegedly celebrating the Fourth of July when cannon balls fell on the building. The second incident happened the same year as the expedition when, again, fire was to interrupt John Williams duties. After another accidental fire on Nukulau
Nukulau
Nukulau Island is a small islet belonging to Fiji. It is close to Suva, Fiji's capital, which lies about ten kilometers to the west. It is an island rich in history, which has played a pivotal role in Fiji's demographic and political development over the past 160 years.- History :Nukulau played a...
destroyed his store and some Fijians looted the place. USS John Adams
USS John Adams (1799)
The first John Adams was originally built as a frigate in 1799, converted to a corvette in 1809 and later converted back to a frigate in 1830 for use in the United States Navy...
, under Commander
Commander (United States)
In the United States, commander is a military rank that is also sometimes used as a military title, depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Naval rank:In the United States...
Edward B. Boutwell, was sent to monitor the unrest in October and her crew were landed on more than one occasion to protect American interests. When Commander Boutwell heard of the incidents involving William's house and store, he demanded $5,000 in compensation from King Cakobau. This initial claim was supplemented by further claims totalling $38,000. A deadline was given and if the natives failed to pay so and a landing party of marines and sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
s was sent ashore to capture the king in the island's village. Fijian warrior
Warrior
A warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
s put up some resistance and one American service man was killed and two were wounded. Ultimately the men of USS John Adams were successful in routing a contingent of natives from Lautoka but Cakobau and the survivors escaped capture. A second expedition
Second Fiji Expedition
The Second Fiji Expedition was an 1858 United States Navy operation against the native warriors of Seru Epenisa Cakobau on the island of Waya in Fiji...
in 1858, involving the crew of USS Vandalia
USS Vandalia
USS Vandalia has been the name of four ships in the service of the United States Navy. All of the ships are named for Vandalia, Illinois.*USS Vandalia , an 18-gun sloop-of-war*USS Vandalia , a screw sloop...
, achieved clearer results but in the end, Cakobau's debt was never paid.