McKean Island was the first of the group to be reported and named, in 1794, by a British captain Henry Barber, of the "Arthur", while enroute from Botany Bay, New South Wales to the north-west coast of America.
McKean Island was the first of the Phoenix group to be reported and named. It was discovered May 28,1794 by the British Capt. Henry Barber, of the ship "Arthur", while enroute from Botany Bay, New South Wales to the north-west coast of America.