Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
In 1943, men from Manra (Sydney) contracted to work on Abariringa (Canton) either for the
military or Pan American Airlines (Knudson 1965). Also in 1943, American engineers
assessed the possibility of blasting a channel to the lagoon. This was not done because of
concerns that resultant wave action might inundate the village and plantation. Instead, the
passage through the reef was cleared to allow for safer landing from anchored ships.
During the later years of the war, a large four-engine aircraft from Abariringa (Canton)
crashed on Manra (Sydney) (Knudson 1965). The four-engine aircraft was not a B-24, but
rather a twin engine C-47A that crashed in November 1943 on Manra (King et al 2001; see
also Kepler 2000). There were no survivors (Knudson 1965). The next day, a ship from
Abariringa (Canton) came and important equipment and documents were recovered. The
plane was the chief source of aluminum for ornaments. Eventually, there was no trace of the
aircraft.
In 1945, Nikumaroro (Gardner), Manra (Sydney), and Orona (Hull) were reported to have
been evacuated due to a prolonged drought (The Hydrographer of the Navy 1969).
MCKEAN
There were no inhabitants on McKean (Hydrographic Office 1940).
NIKUMARORO (GARDNER)
There were about 80 inhabitants on Nikumaroro (Gardner) (Hydrographic Office 1940).
Their village is on the south side of the western break in the land ridge.
In 1940, there was 1 European and 69 natives on Nikumaroro (Gardner) (Gallagher 1940).
Work continued on planting coconut trees. Construction was begun on the government
station. Work also commenced on clearing rocks and roots to level the ground.
In late 1940, low lying areas of Nikumaroro (Gardner) were flooded from high tides and
almost continuous north-westerly gales (Gallagher 1941). This caused considerable damage
to structures. The original site for the settlement was deemed unsuitable because the ground
became water-logged. About 40 houses were taken down and moved to a more appropriate
site. A new 18.0 m (59 ft) flag pole was constructed adjacent to the church.
In 1940, colonist found a partial human skeleton, a woman’s shoe, a man’s shoe, and a
sextant box on Nikumaroro (King et al 2001; see also Beheim 2004; Burns et al 1998). There
was speculation that these belonged to Amelia Earhart. In addition, there were anecdotal
accounts of an airplane wreckage on the fringing reef and lagoon shore. The colonial
administrator, G. Gallagher, communicated this information to the Western High
Commission (Burns et al 1998). He was told to keep the matter “strictly secret.”
King et al (2001) reported that the bones were put in a box and sent to Fiji, but were cast
overboard during the trip. Beheim (2004) noted that artifacts, including bones were
examined by the Central Medical School in Suva, Fiji (see also Burns et al 1998). However,
results were not conclusive. Burns et al (1998) reported that notes of examination in Fiji
were re-examined and it appeared that the bones belonged to a European female.
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