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Beachcombers
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 On Pohnpei, violence between locals and whites was less frequent than on other
Micronesian islands, such as Kosrae and Chuuk. Yet, violent incidents were not
rare. In 1833, the British ship,
Spy, arrived and was piloted through the reef by none other than
James O'Connell, the Tattooed Irishman. According to the sailors, some Pohnpeians tried to take items from the ship and were shot for their intrusion. Tension grew quickly, and the
Spy left hurriedly to avoid further conflict. Another ship,
Corsair, visited in 1835. Its crew was nearly massacred for ignoring local etiquette. Violence was narrowly
averted. After several more bad experiences with whalers, the
paramount chiefs of Pohnpei convened and voted
for the
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extermination of all the whites living on the island. Only one chief voted against the idea and said that he would provide
protection in his territory for any whites who wished to stay. The other chiefs, realizing they could not carry out their plan without going to war, gave up and took no further action.
The beachcombers remained on the island. Despite the mischief they were
famous for, they were, in truth, very profitable to the Pohnpeians.
Serving as pilots, interpreters, and trading  liaisons,
the beachcombers brought in considerable wealth for their hosts. The
standard fee for piloting a visiting ship through the reef, for example, was
$20. A typical ship coming to Pohnpei might pay
$200 for island goods and services, including food, supplies, wood, alcohol,
and sex. Because, desertions were such a problem, captains paid
Pohnpeians as much as $8 for every deserter caught and returned.
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