Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
Degener and Degener (1959) reported that W. Cooney and Taylor Salvors, Inc. purchased the
rights to the President Taylor [that wrecked on Abariringa (Canton) in 1942] for $5,200.
Johnson (1950) provided a personal account of the salvage operations on the President
Taylor wreck using the Caronia, a 272 tonnes (300 ton) pleasure yatch (see also Anon. 1954;
Oates 2003). Two primary concerns of the operation were fresh food and freshwater. A
distiller had to be purchased and it required continual maintenance.
In 1950, modern housing units were constructed on the north side of the island near the
runway for the Federal Aviation Agency (McIntire 1960; see also Oates 2003). Three
airlines were using Abariringa (Canton), Pan American World Airways, Qantas Empire
Airways, and Canadian Pacific Airlines. According to Garnett (1983a), British Overseas
Airlines also used the facility.
In 1950, the main air strip was extended and resurfaced by the Federal Aviation Authority
(FAA) (McIntire 1960; see also Wright 1951). The main air strip was 2,316 m (7,600 ft) long
and 45.7 m (150 ft) wide. It was asphalt over a coral base with a 68,040 kg (150,000 pound)
capacity. The overruns at both ends were 122 m (400 ft) on the west, and 457 m (1,500 ft) on
the east end. The runway could be extended another 914 m (3,000 ft) beyond the east end
overrun.
In 1951, the only commercial air service for the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony was at
Abariringa (Canton) (Colonial Office 1951). In addition to commercial air service, the U.S.
military and the RNZAF had flights through Abariringa (Canton).
In 1951, the population of Abariringa (Canton) was almost 300 people (Bunker 1951; 253
according to Clune 1951).
In 1951, a weekly newspaper began to be published on Abariringa (Canton) (Wright 1951).
It was titled, Canton Coral Capers.
In the 1950s there was a small fish exporting enterprise on Abariringa (Canton) (Garnett
1983a).
For the first half of 1952, Abariringa (Canton) did not have any outbreaks of communicable
diseases (Pacific Area Communicable Disease Information Service 1952).
In 1952, the first intercontinental jet made its maden voyage from London to South Africa
(Oates 2003). This was the beginning of the end for fuel stops such as Abariringa (Canton).
In 1954, 762 planes landed on Abariringa (Canton) (McIntire 1960).
Pan American World Airways (1954) produced a 3 page brochure for visiting airline
passengers. The brochure provided a brief historic background and information of
Abariringa (Canton).
In August 1954, the Canton Outrigger Club was formed to promote knowledge and use of
Gilbertese sailing outrigger canoes (Canton Outrigger Club 1954). The club developed a
constitution. In addition to providing basic sailing and safety guidance, the Canton Outrigger
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