When was Port Moresby named and by whom?
Captain John Moresby named the harbor after his father Admiral of the Fleet Sir Fairfax Moresby in February 1873. He called the anchorage off Paga Hill Port Moresby on his charts.
Questions about Port Moresby
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who selected Port Moresby as the colonial capital of Papua New Guinea?
Special Commissioner Peter Scratchley arrived in August 1885 and selected the site as the colonial capital. The administration began segregating non-indigenous residential areas with a policy that continued until the early 1960s.
Where did General Douglas MacArthur locate his headquarters during World War II?
General Douglas MacArthur located his headquarters in Port Moresby from November 1942 to October 1944. The city became an important Allied complex of bases during 1942 and 1943 serving as a key staging point for offensive warfare pushing back Japanese advances toward Australia.
What happened to Port Moresby when Papua New Guinea gained independence in September 1975?
Papua New Guinea became an independent country with Port Moresby designated as its capital city in September 1975. Prince Charles represented Queen Elizabeth II at the celebrations held that month.
Why is Port Moresby considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world according to recent reports?
Al Jazeera described Port Moresby as one of the most dangerous cities in the world during recent reporting due to continuing breakdown in law and order. Travel by foot is not recommended within and about the city suburbs because many homes feature big fences covered in metal sheeting with locked gates and internal steel security doors.