Port Moresby
In February 1873, the crew of HMS Basilisk surveyed the southern shore of New Guinea. Captain John Moresby named the harbor after his father, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Fairfax Moresby. He called the anchorage off Paga Hill "Port Moresby" on his charts. Europeans estimated the local population to be around 2000 people at that time. The largest settlement was Hanuabada, which consisted of five villages. These villages were populated by Motu and Koita people who lived along the coast and in the hills inland. Significant intermarriage occurred between these two groups over centuries. They organized themselves into units called iduhu, which functioned somewhat like clans.
On the 4th of April 1884, the Union Jack was raised at Port Moresby during a proclamation ceremony. Thirteen Europeans and about 200 Papuans witnessed this event as Henry Chester took formal possession of the island for Her Majesty. Special Commissioner Peter Scratchley arrived in August 1885 and selected the site as the colonial capital. In September, a plot of land south from Hanuabada was purchased for the government bungalow. Twenty-eight locals received payment consisting of a tomahawk, a handkerchief, and half a pound of tobacco each. The administration began segregating non-indigenous residential areas with a policy that continued until the early 1960s. A two-mile fence surrounded the government land to enforce separation. Surveyor Walter Cuthbertson laid out a gridiron plan for townships Granville West and Granville East starting in 1886. By 1897, there were only about twenty residential buildings in the area. Granville East remained practically undeveloped until the late 1920s with just one house on Lawes Road.
During World War II, some Papuan men enlisted in the Papua Infantry Battalion while others served as carriers over trails and rough terrains. Historian William Manchester documented that acting as porters ranked well down the natives' list of acceptable voluntary activities without great inducements. By September 1942, thousands of troops were stationed in the area or staged through it as the last Allied bastion on the island. General Douglas MacArthur located his headquarters in Port Moresby from November 1942 to October 1944. Many Papuan residents returned to their family villages or were evacuated to camps when Japanese invasion threats loomed. The city became an important Allied complex of bases during 1942, 43. It served as a key staging point for offensive warfare pushing back Japanese advances toward Australia. American Caesar describes how MacArthur's reorganization of troops involved daring offensive gambles in difficult jungles of New Guinea.
In September 1975, Papua New Guinea became an independent country with Port Moresby designated as its capital city. Prince Charles represented Queen Elizabeth II at the celebrations held that month. New government buildings including the National Parliament Building opened in Waigani suburb in 1984. This structure blended traditional design with modern building technology under Prince Charles's opening ceremony. The population expanded rapidly after independence reaching 120,000 by 1980 and growing to 195,000 by 1990. Several government buildings have been abandoned due to long-term neglect including Marea Haus known locally as the "Pineapple Building". Widespread restoration rather than demolition of these disused office buildings has been highly active since the first decade of the 21st century. The old court house remains bearing its pre-independence label while other structures stand empty or repurposed.
Al Jazeera described Port Moresby as one of the most dangerous cities in the world during recent reporting. ABC Australia reported that many homes feature big fences covered in metal sheeting with locked gates and internal steel security doors. Travel by foot is not recommended within and about the city suburbs due to continuing breakdown in law and order. The UN Global Compact Cities Programme assessed urban security using Circles of Sustainability method labeling it critical. Since the 1990s the original town centre ceased having restaurants and nightlife though it remains successful as an office center. Affluent housing regions north of downtown along the coast remain prosperous but modest residential houses were replaced with substantial mansions and apartment buildings. The suburb of Boroko became very idle with many former shopping buildings now standing empty while the west contains high rises and affluent housing.
The 1969 South Pacific Games held from 13 to the 23rd of August 1969 at Port Moresby involved 1,150 athletes participating across multiple events. Sir John Guise Stadium serves as the premier sports venue with a capacity of 15,000 after being completely rebuilt in 2015. Lloyd Robson Oval hosted three games for the 1989, 1992 Rugby League World Cup and has approximately 17,000 total capacity since 1975. Hubert Murray Stadium was developed on reclaimed land at Konedobu that had previously been shoreline mangroves during the 1969 South Pacific Games. The 2015 Pacific Games took place from 4 to the 18th of July 2015 involving 24 countries competing in 28 sports events including basketball soccer swimming cricket and rugby league 9s. Papua New Guinea ranked first with the most medals followed by New Caledonia and Tahiti. Amini Park functions as a cricket ground named for the Amini family who have played cricket for both men's and women's teams.
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Common questions
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.
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.