Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
At the time of the solar eclipse expedition (1937), all huts used by guano collectors in the
1800’s were entirely flattened (Gardner 1938). One artifact from that era was a lonely grave
of a native who worked the guano deposits.
During that visit, the British planted another British flag (Baarslag 1940; sign according to
Bryan 1941 and 1942; sign on coconut tree according to Murphy et al 1954). The H.M.S.
Wellington also brought 1,000 coconuts for planting (Hellweg 1937). Relations between
sailors and scientists from both ships quickly became friendly (Anon. 1937g).
The American eclipse expedition planted two large American flags and erected a concrete
marker proclaiming Abariringa (Canton) as U.S. soil (Baarslag 1940; to commemorate the
event according to Follett 1943; see also Marshall 1938; Anon. 1937g). According to Orent
and Reinsch (1941), the U.S. national ensign in stainless steel on a marble marker
commemorated the event. According to Anon. (1937g), two stainless steel American flags
were mounted onto a concrete base.
As part of the mission of the Avocet, both Enderbury and Abariringa (Canton) were surveyed
regarding their possible use as an airfield (Holbrook 1973). Enderbury was found unsuitable.
In August 1937 (according to Degener and Gillapsy 1955), the H.M.S. Leith rushed back and
left two radio operators and a completed radio station (Baarslag 1940; see also Leff 1940). In
addition, 1 Fijian servant was with them according to Maude (1952 and 1968; 1 Gilbertese
servant according to Anon. 1937i). The British technicians were Langdale and Manning
according to Schuyler (1939; Langdale and Rostier according to Anon. 1937h and 1937i;
Murphy et al 1954). One was a radio operator and the other was an engineer (Anon. 1938e).
In 1937, a British officer had been stationed on Abariringa (Canton) (Colonial Office 1951).
According to Bevington (1990), the acting District Officer was the wireless operator. The
Phoenix Islands District headquarters were on Abariringa (Canton) (McIntire 1960) and was
administered by the Colonial Office. The significance of posting an officer to Abariringa
(Canton) developed when American increased interest in the area were considered (Grattan
1963a).
With the radio equipment on Abariringa (Canton), vessels were able to check their direction
finders when they passed the island (Anon. 1937i).
In 1937, the U.S. Navy informed the U.S. State Department of its intentions to occupy
Abariringa (Canton) (Holbrook 1974) using civilian colonists.
Between 1937 and 1942, various U.S. Coast Guard cutters visited Abariringa (Canton) and
Enderbury (Bryan 1974). Detailed accounts of each trip, personnel, and mission were
provided in Bryan (1974). Visits were at intervals of about 3 months (Murphy et al 1954).
In response to the American concrete marker, placed in 1937, the two British inhabitants of
Abariringa (Canton) erected a small monument with metal sign with the Union Jack on it
(Bevington 1990). The metal sign was beat out of a kerosene tin.
In 1937, the name of Canton was changed to Aba Riringa, the land of sunshine (Maude 1937,
1952 and 1968). This was because the island had little vegetation and was exposed to the full
withering effect of the sun’s rays (Maude 1937).
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