11. October 15 , 1940: Note to file 4439-40
from Vaskess to file. MIN05. |
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Spoken with Dr. Macpherson
on 10.10.40 and again today. Telegram to Mr. Gallagher, No.1 of 15.10.40,
to be coded and sent, as drafted in consultation with Dr. Macpherson today.
Vaskess
13.12.40 (Apparent typo in date, should be 13.10.40.) |
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12. October 15, 1940: Telegram from Vaskess to Gallagher. WPHC02; GBG06. |
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Confidential.
Please telegraph to me particulars
of finding of skeleton in Gardner Island, including where found and
state reason for believing it to be that of a woman and whether this
belief based on anatomical characteristics. State dental condition and
whether any evidence of dental work on jaw, length of skeleton from
vertex of skull to arch of foot, approximate age and condition of bones
and whether any hair found in the vicinity of skeleton.
What have you done with skeleton?
It should be carefully cared for and placed in a suitable coffin and
kept in secure custody pending further instructions.
Keep matter strictly secret
for the present.
Secretary,
Western Pacific High Commission |
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13. October 16, 1940: From High Commissioner to Acting Resident Commissioner. WPHC03. |
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Confidential. Your telegram
No. 348, I have telegraphed direct to Gallagher for particulars with
a view to identification. Matter should be kept secret for the present.
High Commissioner |
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14. October 16, 1940: Typed note to file 4439-40. MIN06. |
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Telegram to Ag. R. Cr., G.
& E. I. C., Conf. No. 500 of 16.10.40, as drafted by the Secretary, coded
and sent by Mrs. Lucchinelli. |
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15. October 17, 1940: From Gallagher to Vaskess. GBG07 and WPHC04. |
This
telegram is logged as “Telegram No. 1 Conf., Skeleton Human, found on Gardner
Island: Report on” in WPHC 4/II/33, WPHC, correspondence register 1940, under
the Phoen. Islds. tab, number 4767. Received October 21, 1940. Filed in 4439-40
(G. & E. I. C.) |
Confidential.
Complete skeleton not found
only skull, lower jaw, one thoracic vertebra, half pelvis, part scapula,
humerus, radius, two femurs, tibia and fibula. Skull discovered by working
party six months ago — report reached me early September. Working
party buried skull but made no further search.
Bones were found on South
East corner of island about 100 feet above ordinary high water springs.
Body had obviously been lying under a "ren" tree and remains of fire,
turtle and dead birds appear to indicate life. All small bones have
been removed by giant coconut crabs which have also damaged larger ones.
Difficult to estimate age bones owing to activities of crabs but am
quite certain they are not less than four years old and probably much
older.
Only experienced man could
state sex from available bones; my conclusion based on sole of shoe
which is almost certainly a woman's.
Dental condition appears to
have been good but only five teeth now remain. Evidence dental work
on jaw not apparent.
We have searched carefully
for rings, money and keys with no result. No clothing was found. Organized
search of area for remaining bones would take several weeks as crabs
move considerable distances and this part of island is not yet cleared.
Regret it is not possible
to measure length of skeleton. No hair found.
Bones at present in locked
chest in office pending construction coffin.
Gallagher |
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16. October 17, 1940: Handwritten entry to file 4439-40. MIN07. |
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Telegram from
O.C., P.I.S.S., No. 1 Conf. of 17.10.40 |
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17. October 21, 1940: Handwritten entry in file 4439-40 from Luke to Macpherson, Acting Central Medical Authority. MIN08. |
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Central Medical Authority
What do you make of 4. Would
it in yr opinion be consistent with the ascription of the remains to
Mrs. Earthardt? [sic] |
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18. October 23, 1940: Typed entry in file 4439-40 from Macpherson to Vaskess. MIN09. |
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Secretary, W.P.H.C.,
According to 4 (reference
to Gallagher's telegram of October 17th) no positive evidence of identification
was found, and I am afraid the data available does nothing to establish
the skeleton as that of Mrs. Putnam. It is unfortunate that the complete
pelvis is not available as this would have done much to establish remains
as being those of a woman. It is unfortunate also that no evidence of
dental work was found as this frequently affords a most valuable means
of identification. Bones, per se, unless corelated with some known physical
deformity or injury in the deceased (such as a healed fracture, etc.,)
are of little value as regards identification, although of course sex
and age can often be established.
2. I would suggest the bones
be sent either to the Anatomical Department at the University of Sydney
or to Fiji for farther [sic] examination, and that the search be continued
with a view to discovering farther [sic] bones, personal trinkets, etc.
Up till the present the number on the sextant case appears to afford
the most hopeful means of identification. The instrument itself moreover,
if a good one, should have engraved on it a number assigned either by
the Bureau of Standards in the case of the United States, or the National
Physical Laboratory in the case of the United Kingdom. This number indicates
as a rule the result of tests for which compensation requires to be
made in using the instrument.
D. C. M. Macpherson
Acting Central Medical Authority |
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19. October 26 , 1940: Telegram from Vaskess to Gallagher. GBG08, WPHC05. |
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Confidential.
Your telegram of 17th October.
Organised search should be made in the vicinity and all bones and other
finds, including box, sextant and shoe, should be forwarded to Suva
by the first opportunity for examination.
Secretary.
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20. October 26, 1940: Typed entry in file 4439-40
from Vaskess to Sir Harry. MIN10. |
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His Excellency
Submitted with 4 and 9 and with a draft telegram to M. Gallagher for Y. E.'s approval.
2. Perhaps a carefully worded
letter should now be sent to the U.S. Consul-General in Sydney asking
him to obtain a description of the sextant carried by Mrs. Putnam and
any number or distinguishing mark on it?
26.10.40 |
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