Edmund Fanning facts for kids

Edmund Fanning was an American explorer and sea captain. He lived from 1769 to 1841. People called him the "Pathfinder of the Pacific." This means he helped discover new routes and places in the huge Pacific Ocean.

Edmund Fanning: Explorer of the Pacific

Early Life and Voyages

Edmund Fanning was born in Stonington, Connecticut. This was a British colony back then. When he was just 14, he started working on ships. He began as a cabin boy, helping the crew. By the time he was 24, he was already a captain! He sailed a ship called a brig to the South Pacific. This was his first trip to that part of the world.

Fanning became a very successful trader. He earned a lot of money from the "China trade." He would hunt seals in the South Pacific. Then, he would trade their skins in China for valuable items. These items included silks, spices, and tea. He would then sell these goods in New York City.

Discovering New Islands

From 1797 to 1798, Fanning was the captain of a ship called the Betsey. During this time, he discovered three islands in the South Pacific. These islands were Fanning Island, Washington Island, and Palmyra Atoll. Together, they were known as the Fanning Islands.

Today, Fanning Island is called Tabuaeran. It is part of the country Kiribati. Palmyra Atoll was claimed by the Hawaiian government in 1862. Later, in 2000, the Nature Conservancy bought Palmyra. They use it to study how global warming affects coral reefs.

There is an interesting story about how Palmyra Atoll was discovered. Captain Fanning was sleeping while his ship sailed. He woke up three times during the night. He felt like this was a warning, a "premonition." So, he told his first mate to stop the ship. The next morning, the ship started sailing again. In less than a mile, they reached the reef of Palmyra. If the ship had kept going through the night, the whole crew might have been in danger!

Helping Future Expeditions

Edmund Fanning worked for American investors. He helped plan and organize more than 70 trading trips. His company, Fanning & Coles, built a ship called the Tonquin in 1807. This ship sailed around the world many times. They later sold it for $37,000 to John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company. Sadly, the Tonquin was later burned by Native Americans in the northwest.

In 1829, Fanning played a big part in sending out the first American naval exploration trip. He also greatly helped convince the U.S. Congress to approve the famous Wilkes Expedition. Fanning wrote a book about his adventures called Voyages Around the World. It was published in 1833. He passed away in New York City.

Places Named After Fanning

Some places in the world are named after Edmund Fanning. These include Cape Fanning in Antarctica. Also, Fanning Ridge on South Georgia Island is named in his honor.