1972 Ghost Reef Maria Theresa

11. Maria Theresa Reef (FO8M) Maria Theresa, a French territory, is located in the South Pacific at approximately 152 degrees West and 36 degrees South. Maria Theresa Reef as said is a reef in the South Pasific (south of the French Tuamotu islands) east of New Sealand. On French maps, the name of the reef is Tabor Island or Tabor Reef Tabor, or Maria Theresa Reef, is mentioned by captain Asaph P. Taber (not Tabor) in his shiplog of November 6, 1843 as a dangerous reef. Taber was captain of the Maria Theresa, a whaler from New Bedford/Mass. The position of the reef he had “seen” was the breakwater at 37°00′ Soutn and 151°00′ West, and later correted to 37°00′ South and 151°13′ West. In 1966, “CQ-magazine” published a picture and a story of Don Miller, QRV from Maria Theresa Reef. Later it was proved that this was fake-news. Don has been never active from the ghost spot Maria Theresa Reef. Eager surch of the Reef did not have any result. There is no reef in the Pasific which could be Maria Theresa Reef. Maria Theresa withdrawn (QST september 1972, (pagina 106)) Effective as of October 1, 1972, the Maria Theresa listing which has appeared on the ARRL Countries List is removed and all DXCC credits which have been given for that listing will be annulled. Information which has been gathered leaves no question but that no island, reef, or shoal exists in the area between 36 degrees 50 minutes South to 37 degrees 15 minutes South and 150 degrees 45 minutes West to 151 degrees 37 minutes West, the area in which Maria Theresa was alleged to be located. Official government charts of numerous soundings made in this area show no depths of less than 2850 fathoms. So all DXCC credits for FO8M, Maria Theresa Reef are deleted. There is no shoal or reef, reason for Withdrawn this Ghost-Entity. This is the third Entity, Don Miller, W9WNV, claimed to be QRV from. Yes QSO’s are made with stations using K7LMU/HC8E, K7LMU/TI9C or FO8M. Fake or real, one thing is sure. Those calls give colour to the history of DXCC. DX is !!, Wino, PA0ABM