The first instance we see the name Jose Mendiola, was by Joseph-Paul Gaimard, Surgeon Assistant for the Freycinet’s science expedition in 1819. Mendiola was one of the CHamoru people examined by Gaimard for the dynamometric experiment. Gaimard described Mendiola as a 14-year old, well built young man.
Eight years later, Gaimard is assigned to another French science expedition aboard the Astrolabe. In May 1827, as the Astrolabe was passing through the Lau Islands, south of Fiji, the ship was met by the canoe of a Tongan chief who had with him three "Spanish" castaways who part of the brig Concepcion that shipwrecked on the reefs of Vanua Levu Island, three years previously. Mendiola would have been 17 years old at the time of the shipwreck.
Gaimard immediately recognized one of the castaways as "le jeune Mediola" whom he had known on Guam. Mendiola, 21 years old, stayed on the Astrolabe as a member of the crew and interpreter for the French, for nearly a year until it reached Guam by May 2, 1828. He was honourably discharged. Gaimard settled Mendiola’s account and paid him about 30 piastres, which in those days was considered although small, still a fortune for the Mariana Islands.
Mendiola’s family was surprised and happy to see him alive. After all those years they thought him dead. Mendiola was one of the crew members that fell ill before landing on Guam. He recovered quickly and in appreciation, Mendiola brought Gaimard fruit and poultry. Gaimard only accept oranges and told him to keep the rest for himself. Gaimard was very pleased by Mendiola’s gratitude, and stated that his conduct had always been exemplary.
Bibliography:
Sylvie Brassard and John Milsom. 2025. A Scientific Voyage in the Southern Hemisphere and Around the World Executed Successively on Board the King’s Corvette Uranie and His Majesty’s Corvette La Physicienne During the Years 1817, 1818, 1819 and 1820 Narrative Journal of Joseph-Paul Gaimard Commissioned Surgeon of the Marine Royale Series III VOLUME 44. The Boydell Press. London, England
Rodrigue Levesque. 2003. History of Micronesia: History of Micronesia: Lutke Expedition and First D’Urville Expedition, Volume 22. Levesque Publications. Quebec, Canada
