Thanks Chris, It is the main reason I stay off the forum unless, as in this case, I find something that might interest someone.
Ric, I remember when the name was changed officially. What interested me about this document was that it shows the exact day when they unofficially decided to rename the island and why. Tucked away in an official report no less.
There is so much fascinating stuff in those reports. Are the Buka trees still 60 feet high and several feet in diameter? And is there still Buka 'forest'? It paints a whole other picture of the island, that those of us who haven't been on expeditions can not visualise these days.
I used to have a yacht that was capable of ocean crossings and also only drew about a foot with the keel raised. I sometimes wondered about picking the right weather and sneaking over the lagoon entrance, based on the descriptions in the reports. The reports also suggested blasting a channel into the lagoon at one time. Imagine the outcry if they did that these days.
It is interesting also that despite there having been a drought, the reports suggest they should not really need the cistern(s) they planned to build. I have yet to discover where the water was supposed to be coming from, but I seem to remember TIGHAR investigating that years ago.
Cheers,
Th' WOMBAT
Oh damn. I suppose I get to fight with that security thing again..