Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
By 1940, 729 volunteer colonists had been settled in the Phoenix Islands (Maude 1953b).
Between July and September 1940, an additional 76 settlers and 454 tonnes (500 tons) of
supplies were transported to the Phoenix Islands (Gallagher 1940).
In 1940, infant mortality in the Phoenix Islands reached 50 percent (Gallagher 1940). This
was attributed to incorrect care of infants by their mothers. An education program was
initiated in the form of women’s committees. Since its inception, no infant has been lost on
Manra (Sydney).
In 1941, resettlement of the Phoenix Islands ceased due to the war (Maude 1953a). Attempts
to charter a vessel were not successful (Gallagher 1941). Gallagher (1941) noted that despite
air connections from Abariringa (Canton) to the rest of the work, there was no
communication available between the Phoenix Islands.
Robson (1942) reported that nearly 2,000 people had been resettled to the Phoenix Islands
from the overcrowded Gilbert Islands.
During World War II, the Phoenix Islands became strategically important (Borden 1961). If
Japan had extended its conquests to the Ellice and Phoenix Islands, this would have cut off
U.S. convoys and air links to New Zealand and Australia. Grattan (1963a) reported that there
were coast watchers on the Phoenix group during World War II. The Phoenix Islands were
not occupied by Japan (Knudson 1965).
The Native Government Ordinance of 1941 introduced a revised constitution (Colonial
Office 1951). Due to World War II and the need to translate this constitution into the local
vernacular, it was not operative until 1948. Native governments on three of the Phoenix
Islands were functioning under this revised constitution.
Daniel (1943) noted that all eight of the Phoenix Islands were British-controlled, despite the
1939 United States and Great Britain agreement placing Abariringa (Canton) and Enderbury
under joint administration for 50 years (see also Bordon 1961; Bryan 1941, 1942, and 1974;
Clune 1951; Freeman 1951).
Cooper (1944a) noted that the Americans solved the British transport problem in the Phoenix
Islands. The British District Officer could now routinely visit recently settled Phoenix
Islands by military PBY seaplanes. This would normally require several days of ship travel.
In addition, the U.S. military dropped 1.8 tonnes (2 tons) of foodstuff on an island, thus
averting near famine of the 70 inhabitants.
Luke (1945b) suggested that after phosphate had been removed from Ocean Island (Banaba),
inhabitants might be persuaded to relocated to the Phoenix Islands or elsewhere.
ABARIRINGA (CANTON, KANTON)
In 1940, there were 2 Europeans and 2 natives on Abariringa (Canton) (Gallagher 1940).
In March 1940, six U.S. Navy patrol bombers made the 2,679 km (1,665 mile) flight from
Honolulu to Abariringa (Canton) (Leff 1940; Navy Catalinas according to Wright 1951).
This was the first equator crossing by American warplanes.
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