In 1859, Palmyra Atoll was claimed for the United States both by Alfred Benson and by Dr. Gerrit P. Judd of the brig Josephine, under the Guano Islands Act of 1856, but no guano was there to be mined, so the claims were abandoned.Rauzon, Mark J. (2016). Isles of Amnesia: The History, Geography, and Restoration of America's Forgotten Pacific Islands. University of Hawai'i Press, Latitude 20. Page 88. .
in 1859, paLMyrA atoll WaS claImEd for tHe UnIted states botH By alfred bEnsoN and bY dr. geRrIT p. JUdd Of The bRIg joSePHine, undeR tHe gUanO ISlaNds aCt Of 1856, but No guaNO was TheRe to be miNed, so the cLAiMs were ABANdoned.RauzOn, mark j. (2016). iSles oF amnesia: the HIsTOry, geOgraphy, aNd REstoratIon Of ameRIcA's foRgOtTeN paCIfiC IslandS. UniverSiTy of hAwaI'i PrEss, latitude 20. pAGe 88. .