Inspiring Palau’s Ocean Exploration
Lebuu, a young Palauan from Koror, holds the distinction of being Palau’s first explorer and one of the first Pacific Islanders to visit Great Britain. His story, documented in 1788 by George Keate, highlights a remarkable chapter in Pacific and global exploration history.
In 1783, Lebuu’s life took an extraordinary turn. When a shipwrecked crew from the East India Company vessel Antelope arrived in Palau, Lebuu’s father, High Chief Ibedul, displayed remarkable hospitality. He not only provided the crew with timber but also the expertise to build a new ship, the Oroolong, in a mere two months. As the sailors prepared to depart, they extended an invitation to a Palauan to join their voyage. With a heavy heart but unwavering resolve, High Chief Ibedul entrusted his son Lebuu to their care (Keate, 1788).
High Chief Ibedul’s poignant words, “I would wish you to inform Lebuu, of all things which he ought to know, and make him an Englishman,” underscored the hopes and anxieties he harbored for his son’s well-being in a foreign land (Keate, 1788).
Lebuu’s journey captivated Europe for decades. His story was translated over twenty times in English and a dozen other languages (article source).
This fall, a remarkable tribute will be paid to Lebuu. Two scientific expeditions led by the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET), in collaboration with NOAA Ocean Exploration, will explore Palau’s waters aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus. These expeditions, aptly named Lebuu’s Voyage I (NA167) and Lebuu’s Voyage II (NA168), honor Palau’s own legacy of exploration (article source).
The expeditions reflect a deep commitment to collaboration. The naming process involved the Palauan Council of Chiefs, the Society of Historians, and Koror’s House of Traditional Leaders, highlighting the importance of cultural knowledge in scientific exploration (article source).
Lebuu’s Voyage serves a critical purpose. Palau’s waters, considered one of the underwater world’s seven wonders, are rich in natural and cultural resources. However, limited information exists about the deep-sea ecosystems surrounding Palau. These expeditions aim to address this knowledge gap, informing conservation and scientific priorities (article source).
As the Nautilus embarks on its voyage, the OET team acknowledges the generations of Palauans who have stewarded these waters. They recognize the significance of cultural sensitivity and learning from Palau’s rich history of ocean exploration, embodied by Lebuu’s remarkable journey.