John Moresby

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Captain John Moresby (15 March 1830-12 July 1922) was a British Naval Officer who explored the coast of New Guinea and discovered the site of Port Moresby.

Moresby was born in Allerford, Somerset, England the son of Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby. He joined the Navy at an early age as a Volunteer 1st Class in H.M.S. Victor, and rose to be in charge of the 1031 ton paddle steamer cruiser HMS Basilisk in which he made hydrological surveys around eastern New Guinea. During the survey of the southern coast he discovered the harbour which he named Fairfax after his father. The town established there, based on already existing native villages (principally Hanuabada) was named Port Moresby and is now the nation's capital.

He was also searching for a shorter route between Australia and China and on the eastern tip of the island he discovered the China Straits. He continued exploring along the north west coast as far as the Huon Gulf.

He was later promoted to Rear Admiral and died on 12 July 1922 in Fareham, Hampshire, England.

In 1859 he married Jane Willis Scott ( - 1876) of Queenstown, Ireland and had six children:

Walter Halliday Moresby CBE (9 November 1861 - 24 April 1951), lawyer and spy
Elizabeth Louisa Moresby (1862 - 1931) became a well known writer under a variety of pseudonyms
Ethel Fortescue Moresby (1865 - ?), married Frederick Haines
Georgina Moresby (1867 - ?), married Peyton Temple Mackeson
Hilda Fairfax Moresby (16 December 1868 - 16 August 1893)
Gladys Moresby (1870 - ?)

[edit] Publications

New Guinea and Polynesia..., John Moresby, John Murray 1876. (reprinted 2002, Elibron Classics, ISBN 1-4021-8798-X)

Two Admirals, Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Fairfax Moresby (1786-1877), and His Son, John Moresby. A Record of Life and Service in the British Navy for a Hundred Years, John Moresby, Murray, London 1909