[7] In 1821, Captain George Barrett, of the Nantucket whaler Independence II, visited Niulakita, which he named "Rocky (Group)".

[8] However, in 1880 they were informed that J. C. Godeffroy und Sohn of Hamburg (operating out of Samoa) claimed ownership of the island.

On 15 April 1889 Niulakita was sold for $1,000 to Harry Jay Moors, an American citizen living in Apia, Samoa.

[8] On 16 September 1896, Captain Herbert Gibson of HMS Curacoa, recorded in his journal that six men and six women, natives of various islands, were living on Niulakita working for Moors.

Captain Gibson determined that the island was not under American protection so he hoisted the Union Jack and delivered the flag, with a copy of the Declaration of British Protectorate, to the headman of the working party.

[8][10] In August 1896, the sailing ship Seladon of Stavanger was wrecked on the coral reef of Starbuck Island.

[11] In 1914, Niulakita was purchased from Moors by the Samoa Shipping Trading Co Ltd, which was owned by Captain Ernest Frederick Hughes Allen.