Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

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PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN <strong>Chapter</strong> 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. 69
PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN <strong>Chapter</strong> III. Background, 2. Human Activities Draft 1 March 2007 In probably late 1942, U.S. fighter aircraft began making regular reconnaissance flights from Abariringa (Canton) (Knudson 1965). They occasionally would drop tobacco, cloth, soap, candy, and chewing gum to villages on the various other Phoenix Islands. During World War II, the Americans set up a radio station on Nikumaroro (Anon. 1952). A survey was completed in 1943, prior to construction of the navigation station (Laxton 1951). Good relations were reported between the Americans and the islanders (Anon. 1952). According to King et al (2001), the U.S. Coast Guard Loran station on the southeast tip of Nikumaroro was built in 1944 (see also Oates 2003). It was manned by 20 to 30 Coast Guardsmen. After the war, the radio station was closed (Anon. 1952), then dismantled (King et al 2001), and the Americans left (Anon. 1952). In 1945, Nikumaroro (Gardner), Manra (Sydney), and Orona (Hull) were reported to have been evacuated due to a prolonged drought (Hydrographer of the Navy 1969). ORONA (HULL) There was a coral slab beacon 5.2 m (17 ft high) on the western extremity of the island (Hydrographic Office 1940). The proposed British Pacific Airways airport was marked out. In 1940, there were 2 Europeans and 370 natives on Orona (Hull) (Gallagher 1940). New dwelling houses, a native court house, a new road, and the hospital were constructed by late 1940. In late 1940, low lying areas of Orona (Hull) were flooded from high tides and almost continuous north-westerly gales (Gallagher 1941). This caused damage to local housing. In probably late 1942, U.S. fighter aircraft began making regular reconnaissance flights from Abariringa (Canton) (Knudson 1965). They occasionally would drop tobacco, cloth, soap, candy, and chewing gum to villages on the various other Phoenix Islands. 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. 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). RAWAKI (PHOENIX) The island was uninhabited (Hydrographic Office 1940). F. POST-WORLD WAR II TO INDEPENDENCE (1946 TO 1979) In 1947-1948, the population of the Phoenix Islands was 903 indigenous and 230 foreign (Bryan 1951). The Phoenix Islands settlement had a budget of £16,800 (Colonial Office 1951). According to Laxton (1951), the Phoenix Islands settlements had happy, thriving 70
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Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

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