Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
In 1943, Japanese aircraft bombed Abariringa (Canton) (McIntire 1960). Damage was slight
on all four occasions (Degener and Gillaspy 1955; see also McIntire 1960). The island
periodically experienced harrassment attacks (Oates 2003).
In 1943, an artificial channel was blasted and dredged (76.2 m wide and 8.8 m deep)
(Hydrographer of the Navy 1969, see also Bryan 1974; Oates 2003). The dredging
operations created Spam Island (Oates 2003). The channel could then accommodate vessels
not exceeding 128 m (420 ft) in length which could then tie up to the 117 m (385 ft) wharf
(Degener and Gillaspy 1955).
During World War II, the U.S. dollar was widely used in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands,
despite the 1937 Currency Ordinance that made notes from Australian and United Kingdom
the legal tender (Colonial Office 1951). After the war, Abariringa (Canton) was the only
place where the U.S. dollar was allowed as it was a staging point for trans-Pacific air flights
and where the bulk of the business was in dollars.
Cooper (1944b) noted that water was the most precious commodity on Abariringa (Canton).
Hobbs (1945) noted that the military value of Abariringa (Canton) and Orona (Hull) was that
they could be small naval bases with good airstrips and seaplane bases.
During World War II, more than 30,000 soldiers came to Abariringa (Canton) according to
Witherspoon (1957; see also Murphy et al 1954). At times there were over 1,100 troops
based on Abariringa (Canton) (Garnett 1983a).
After the fall of Tarawa in 1943, the importance of Abariringa (Canton) declined as military
resources were shifted to Kwajalein and westward (Wright 1951).
In 1944, a chain of LORAN (Long Range Navigation Stations) was established in the
Phoenix Islands including Abariringa (Canton) and Nikumaroro (Gardner) (Oates 2003).
BIRNIE
Bryan (1941 and 1942) noted that there was a beacon about 4.6 to 6.1 m (15 to 20 ft) high on
the eastern curve of Birnie. Bryan (1941 and 1942) noted that others had reported that the
beacon was 9.1 m (30 ft) high. The beacon was constructed from coral sandstone.
ENDERBURY
In 1940, the U.S. Congress placed Abariringa (Canton) and Enderbury under the U.S. District
Court of Hawaii (Skaggs 1994; see also McIntire 1960; 1948 according to Office of
Territories 1963).
The Hydrographic Office (1940) reported wrecks of two vessels along the southeast corner of
Enderbury. No details were provided of these ship wrecks.
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