Deep in the eastern Pacific Ocean, surrounded by coral, lies a majestic island: Clipperton Island. By the late 19th century, this small island had become a mecca that many countries fought to possess because of a rare resource.
MexicanIn order to colonize the island, he settled several families here and provided them with regular supplies for their survival. However, over time, as these vital materials did not arrive, terrible events began to occur on the island. Today, the history of this island and the story of what happened show us the dark sides of humanity.
Features and History of Clipperton Island
Clipperton IslandSpanish explorer in 1521 Ferdinand Magellan Although it was discovered by , it was officially documented in the 17th century. british pirate John ClipperWhile attacking Spanish ships, he came across this small piece of land and discovered Clipperton Island, which is now known as Clipperton Island.
This approximately 10 square kilometer island is surrounded by ring-shaped corals and is not technically an island. The center of the island has eutrophic water. freshwater lagoon However, this lagoon only allows algae to live. Additionally, there are almost no plants on the island, except for coconut trees and a few plants.
Clipperton Island is home to more than 12 species of birds and is often used as a toilet. This causes the island to smell disgusting. Located almost 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Mexico, the nearest landmass, Clipperton Island was once “Passion Island” It was referred to as.
Throughout history, this island has been the subject of ownership disputes between France, Mexico, Britain, and the United States. Guano These four countries claimed the island for the waste of bats and seabirds, which were extremely valuable at that time. However, since guano is only available in certain regions, these demands have led to conflicts.
The growing importance of guano led the U.S. Congress in 1856 to pass the Guano Islands Act, under which businesses could search these areas to claim fertilizer. During this period, Clipperton Island was considered Mexican territory for over 30 years. However, French Emperor III. Napoleon saw the opportunities the island offered and sent a naval unit to the island in 1858. This unit was sent to fight off several Mexican soldiers guarding the island.
French Claiming the island was fairly simple, and in the 1890s ‘Guano Islands Act’With the authority given by the US, a US company came to the island to extract guano. This company operated for several years, but in 1897 Mexico retook the island from the French and returned to the island to remove the American workers living there.
A year later, Britain, with the world’s most powerful navy at the time, also arrived on the island. Mexico reclaimed the island and, realizing that it could not defeat Britain, Mexican officials signed a treaty that would allow it to extract and export valuable guano. Following this process, in 1906, 33-year-old Mexican military officer Ramon Arnold and 13 soldiers and their families came to the island.
Tragedies on Clipperton Island
Clipperton IslandTragedies in, Mexican military officer in 1906 ramon arnold and begins with 13 soldiers and their families being sent to the island. Their mission is to establish a small colony to prevent the island from changing hands between countries. However, for Ramon, this was not a choice, but a punishment. Because he left his new military service after a few months, he was sent as a prisoner to Clipperton Island and was required to complete his sentence there.
That same year, the Mexican president ordered a lighthouse to be built on the island, and when it was completed, he appointed a man named Victoriano Alvarez to serve as the lighthouse keeper on the island. At the same time, the British were also doing their part to improve the island: they built houses and managed to grow vegetables on the coral. Soon, About 100 men, women and children from Mexico and Britain settled on the island.
However, unfortunately this period was short-lived. With the collapse of the guano market, the British company that mined guano went bankrupt. After this chain of events, fresh supplies stopped coming to those living on the island. With supply ships not arriving, those on the island were left to fend for themselves.
Three years later, in 1914, an American ship was stranded nearby and its crew arrived on the island. When the rescue ship arrived, officials met with Ramon and told him that the Mexican revolution was continuing and World War IThey reported that it started. The ship captain tried to persuade Ramon and the others to return to America, but Ramon declined the offer for fear of facing potential consequences for leaving his post.
It was decided to send only the British family back on the rescue ship. After the Americans left, the supplies provided were quickly used up, and the vegetable garden maintained by the British died out because it was no longer tended. The only food sources for the islanders were seabird eggs, occasional caught birds, a few coconuts, and pigs.
By 1915, the number of colonists on Clipperton Island dwindled, with those remaining becoming weak and sick. Encouraged by the sight of a ship, Ramon and the other soldiers attempted to escape, but failed. on the island, Lighthouse keeper VictorianoHe mistreated women, treated them like his slaves, and declared himself king of the island. The women rebelled against Victoriano and killed her with a secret plan.
Then, a US Navy warship arrived on the island and took the 11 survivors to Salina Cruz, Mexico. Survivors did not speak about Victoriano’s murder for more than 17 years. Only after making sure of the possible consequences, they began to talk about the cruelty and death of Victoriano.
In 1931, the king of Italy made a decision on ownership claims and declared France the owner of the island. Mexico did not appeal the decision. However, these events show that Clipperton Island serves as a warning for humanity. This small island clearly shows the dark sides of human nature and the consequences of greed and cruelty. All these events remind us of humanity’s responsibilities towards nature and other people.
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