 Harry Clifford Fassett, captain's clerk and photographer, recorded people, communities and scenes at Funafuti in 1900 during a visit of USFC "Albatross" when the United States Fish Commission were investigating the formation of coral reefs on Pacific atolls.In 1876 Britain and Germany agreed to divide up the western and central Pacific, with each claiming a 'sphere of influence'.In the previous decade German traders had become active in the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Marshall Islands and the Caroline Islands.