Spain sells the Carolines and the Northern…

Spain sells the Carolines and the Northern Marianas to Germany in the German–Spanish Treaty (1899) for twenty-five million pesetas or seventeen million goldmark (nearly one million pounds sterling) after the Spanish–American War of 1898, while reserving to itself the right to establish a coal mine in the area.

Germany governs the archipelago as the Karolinen, administratively associated with German New Guinea.

The islands have been a popular resort for whaling ships in the nineteenth century.

The first such vessel known to have visited was the London whaler Britannia, which called at Ngatik in December 1793.

Such vessels from Britain, the United States, Australia and elsewhere come for water, wood and food and, sometimes, for men willing to serve as crewmen on such vessels.

These ships stimulate commerce and are significant vectors for change both good and ill.

The islands most commonly visited are Kosrae, Mokil, Ngatik, Pingelap and Pohnpei.