- Vuetasau
Viliame (William) Vuetasau (c.1820-1857) was the son of
Roko Malani , the seventh Roko Sau ofLau and secondTui Nayau and Ciri ofTaqalevu . During the reign of his UncleTaliai Tupou , third Tui Nayau, he was considered heir to the title. He was the first of his noble line to be given a western name, William, afterWillam Cary , survivor of theNantucket whaling ship "Oeno " that was wrecked in theLau Islands in 1825. William Cary was rescued by a brother of Roko Malani, who in time became close friends with Roko Malani himself, who named his son after theNew England er, demonstrating his attachment to the shipwrecked sailor.Vuetasau was instrumental in strengthening the hold of
Christianity inLakeba , and thereafter the rest of Lau. On the arrival of Christian missionaries William Cross andDavid Cargill on Lakeba in 1835, an announcement of their mission to Taliai Tupou was made and accordingly they were conducted toMatailakeba , his heirs' house, while the purpose of their coming was once again explained. Vuetasau approved and Taliai Tupou in turn followed suit and the missionaries were allowed to stay and establish a church.Vuetasau never succeeded to his uncles title as he drowned in 1857 whilst in an expedition with Tongan Chief
Ma’afu . His eldest son RatuTevita Uluilakeba II would in time succeed to the title Roko Sau, but would similarly like his father share a premature death never succeeding to the title Tui Nayau.
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