David Whippey facts for kids

David Whippey (born 1802, died 1871) was an American sailor from Nantucket. He became known as a "beachcomber" in the Fijian Islands. A beachcomber was a white person who lived in Fiji and helped connect the local people with visitors from other countries. Later, Whippey even became the United States vice-consul to Fiji.

An American Sailor's Journey

David Whippey started his adventures at a young age. In 1816, when he was just 14, he left Nantucket on a whaling ship called the Hero. Whaling ships hunted whales for their oil. However, Whippey left the ship in Peru.

Arriving in Fiji

In 1824, Whippey arrived in the beautiful Fijian Islands. He was on a ship called the Calder. The ship's captain, Peter Dillon, left Whippey behind. Whippey was supposed to collect tortoise shells. But Captain Dillon did not return for 13 years! This meant Whippey had to make a life for himself in Fiji.

Life and Role in Fiji

Whippey quickly became an important person in Fiji. By 1826, he was known as Mata ki Bau. This means he was an envoy, or messenger, to the powerful Fijian tribe of Bau.

Settling Down

Whippey made his home in Levuka. This town is on the island of Ovalau in Fiji. He married a local woman and had at least eleven children. He also played a key role in helping people get along. He often helped settle disagreements between Fijians and white sailors who visited the islands.

Serving as a Diplomat

David Whippey's importance grew even more. From 1846 to 1856, he served as the vice-consul for the United States in Fiji. A vice-consul is like a helper for the main consul. They represent their home country and assist their citizens in a foreign land. Whippey helped American sailors and traders in Fiji.

Trying to Grow Sugar

Later in his life, Whippey tried a new business. In 1862, he made the first attempt to grow sugar for sale in Fiji. He built a sugarcane mill on Wakaya Island. This island is close to Ovalau.

A Difficult Business

However, Whippey's sugar business did not succeed. Wakaya Island is small. It was not a good place for growing a lot of sugarcane. Because of this, his sugar production failed financially.

Later Years

David Whippey spent his final years on Wakaya Island. He lived there until he passed away in 1871. He had lived a long and adventurous life, starting as a young sailor and becoming an important figure in the history of Fiji.