Image courtesy of Nasa's Virtually Hawaii Project (copyright by P. Mouginis-Mark)

Pearl & Hermes Atoll (27° 50' N - 175° 50' W) was first named on April 26, 1822 when two English whaling ships, the Pearl and Hermes, were wrecked there during a storm. Since then, the small islands have had few visitors.  In the early 1900's the oyster beds (Pinctada margaritifera) were harvested in order to make pearl buttons for clothing.  The oyster beds quickly ran out and since then few vessels ever approach the atoll.  The Townsend Cromwell (predecessor to the Oscar Elton Sette) has supported marine mammal research on the atoll, cleaned up/researched marine debris, and has conducted lobster studies in its waters. 

External link to more Information: Reef Quest's Pearl & Hermes Atoll.