David Dean O'Keefe (1824 or 1828[1] – 1901) was an Irish-American ship captain who became a historical and political figure on the Western Pacific island of Yap.
Historical and political figure on the South Pacific island of Yap
O'Keefe emigrated to the United States in 1848 and established himself in Savannah, Georgia. In 1871 he captained a ship to the Western Pacific. After landing on Yap he became powerful by using tools from Hong Kong and East Asia to more easily create Rai stones; however, the ease of making the stone money ultimately helped lead to its decline during the period of German rule.[2] Still the wealth allowed him to own an island, of which he was considered "king". Reportedly he had his own emblem, which showed the US flag waving over the letters "O K." He took two Yapese wives, despite already having a wife and daughter in Savannah.
In 1901 he died on the ship Santa Cruz returning to Savannah.
david, keefe, ship, captain, david, dean, keefe, 1824, 1828, 1901, irish, american, ship, captain, became, historical, political, figure, western, pacific, island, david, keefeborn1824died1901returning, savannah, georgianationalityirishoccupationship, captaink. David Dean O Keefe 1824 or 1828 1 1901 was an Irish American ship captain who became a historical and political figure on the Western Pacific island of Yap David O KeefeBorn1824Died1901Returning to Savannah GeorgiaNationalityIrishOccupationShip captainKnown forHistorical and political figure on the South Pacific island of YapO Keefe emigrated to the United States in 1848 and established himself in Savannah Georgia In 1871 he captained a ship to the Western Pacific After landing on Yap he became powerful by using tools from Hong Kong and East Asia to more easily create Rai stones however the ease of making the stone money ultimately helped lead to its decline during the period of German rule 2 Still the wealth allowed him to own an island of which he was considered king Reportedly he had his own emblem which showed the US flag waving over the letters O K He took two Yapese wives despite already having a wife and daughter in Savannah In 1901 he died on the ship Santa Cruz returning to Savannah His Majesty O Keefe is the story of O Keefe s life on Yap 3 A film of the same name starring Burt Lancaster was made in 1954 4 See also EditO Keefe s Island where his home was located in Yap HarborNotes Edit Beachcombers Traders amp Castaways in Micronesia Road to Riches BBC Klingman Lawrence Green Gerald 1950 His Majesty O Keefe NY Charles Scribner s Sons His Majesty O Keefe on IMDbReferences EditThe New Book of Lists pgs 384 385 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title David O 27Keefe ship captain amp oldid 1136589956, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
