Niku I (1989) - Revision history

Moleski at 17:46, 11 October 2014

2014-10-11T17:46:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:46, 11 October 2014
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	'''"The Earhart Project Expedition."'''		'''"The Earhart Project Expedition."'''

	::: The content of this article is from Tom King. It has been turned into a wiki article and polished for the wiki by [http://tighar.org/aw/mediawiki/index.php?title=Niku_I_(1989)&action=history sundry wiki editors.]		::: The content of this article is from [[Tom King]]. It has been turned into a wiki article and polished for the wiki by [http://tighar.org/aw/mediawiki/index.php?title=Niku_I_(1989)&action=history sundry wiki editors.]

	The initial field survey on [[Nikumaroro]] turned out to be a general reconnaissance, though we had rather more grandiose plans for it. Having no first-hand knowledge of the island, and perhaps a rather inflated notion of how apparent the remains of an [[Electra]] might be, we half-expected to come home with some certainty about whether [[Earhart]] and [[Noonan]] had or had not landed on the island. This, of course, was not to be.		The initial field survey on [[Nikumaroro]] turned out to be a general reconnaissance, though we had rather more grandiose plans for it. Having no first-hand knowledge of the island, and perhaps a rather inflated notion of how apparent the remains of an [[Electra]] might be, we half-expected to come home with some certainty about whether [[Earhart]] and [[Noonan]] had or had not landed on the island. This, of course, was not to be.

Moleski at 17:46, 11 October 2014

2014-10-11T17:46:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:46, 11 October 2014
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	[[File:1989-Survey.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|<div align="center">Summary of search.</div>]]		[[File:1989-Survey.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|<div align="center">Summary of search.</div>]]
	'''"The Earhart Project Expedition."'''		'''"The Earhart Project Expedition."'''

			::: The content of this article is from Tom King. It has been turned into a wiki article and polished for the wiki by [http://tighar.org/aw/mediawiki/index.php?title=Niku_I_(1989)&action=history sundry wiki editors.]

	The initial field survey on [[Nikumaroro]] turned out to be a general reconnaissance, though we had rather more grandiose plans for it. Having no first-hand knowledge of the island, and perhaps a rather inflated notion of how apparent the remains of an [[Electra]] might be, we half-expected to come home with some certainty about whether [[Earhart]] and [[Noonan]] had or had not landed on the island. This, of course, was not to be.		The initial field survey on [[Nikumaroro]] turned out to be a general reconnaissance, though we had rather more grandiose plans for it. Having no first-hand knowledge of the island, and perhaps a rather inflated notion of how apparent the remains of an [[Electra]] might be, we half-expected to come home with some certainty about whether [[Earhart]] and [[Noonan]] had or had not landed on the island. This, of course, was not to be.

Thomas: fixed a couple of the many unresolved links of the original article

2014-10-11T16:09:27Z

fixed a couple of the many unresolved links of the original article

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:09, 11 October 2014
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	=== Land Search ===		=== Land Search ===

	Naively, we had thought that we could inspect a twelve square kilometer island pretty thoroughly in three weeks with sixteen people. As we circumnavigated the island before landing, we began to realize how wrong we had been. Not only was twelve square kilometers a good deal larger "on the ground" than it seemed in looking at a map; the vegetation was much denser than we had anticipated. As it turned out, the formerly populated parts of the island were densely wooded in [[coconut]] and [[pandanus]], while much of the rest was covered with [[mao]] ([[Scaevola frutescens]]).		Naively, we had thought that we could inspect a twelve square kilometer island pretty thoroughly in three weeks with sixteen people. As we circumnavigated the island before landing, we began to realize how wrong we had been. Not only was twelve square kilometers a good deal larger "on the ground" than it seemed in looking at a map; the vegetation was much denser than we had anticipated. As it turned out, the formerly populated parts of the island were densely wooded in [[coconut]] and [[pandanus]], while much of the rest was covered with [[mao]] ([[Scaevola\|Scaevola frutescens]]).

	Nevertheless, we set out to make as detailed an inspection as we could. Immediately upon coming ashore, and beginning to work our way across from the landing site to the lagoon, we began to encounter traces of [[village\|the colonial village]]--a standing structure with a sign identifying it as the "Gardner Co-Op Store, 1940" just inland from [[the landing]], and a scatter of artifacts and structural remains extending most of the way to the lagoon shore. Reasoning that the last place to look for an unreported airplane would be in a known habitation site, we noted these items only in passing and made no plans for a systematic inspection of [[village\|the village site]].		Nevertheless, we set out to make as detailed an inspection as we could. Immediately upon coming ashore, and beginning to work our way across from the landing site to the lagoon, we began to encounter traces of [[village\|the colonial village]]--a standing structure with a sign identifying it as the "Gardner Co-Op Store, 1940" just inland from [[the landing]], and a scatter of artifacts and structural remains extending most of the way to the lagoon shore. Reasoning that the last place to look for an unreported airplane would be in a known habitation site, we noted these items only in passing and made no plans for a systematic inspection of [[village\|the village site]].
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	In 1939, Henry W. Bigelow, Jr., of the [[Bushnell\|U.S.S. ''Bushnell'']], commented that on Manra (Sydney Island): "The coconut trees on the island have been divided into lots of twenty-five trees, and the corners of these lots marked by coral slabs on edge, not in cement, or by cairns."		In 1939, Henry W. Bigelow, Jr., of the [[Bushnell\|U.S.S. ''Bushnell'']], commented that on Manra (Sydney Island): "The coconut trees on the island have been divided into lots of twenty-five trees, and the corners of these lots marked by coral slabs on edge, not in cement, or by cairns."

	On the last day on the island in 1989, [[John Clauss]], Veryl Finlayson and LeRoy Knoll reconnoitered the west side of [[Nutiran]], an area separated from the mudflat by a thick belt of [[buka]] and [[mao]]. They encountered a number of large, carefully excavated [[babae pits]] and the remains of several houses. These were examined in more detail in 1999, and will be discussed later.		On the last day on the island in 1989, [[John Clauss]], Veryl Finlayson and LeRoy Knoll reconnoitered the west side of [[Nutiran]], an area separated from the mudflat by a thick belt of [[buka]] and [[mao]]. They encountered a number of large, carefully excavated [http://tighar.org/wiki/Ethnohistory_of_Nikumaroro#Economy babae pits] and the remains of several houses. These were examined in more detail in 1999, and will be discussed later.

	=== Colonial Period Sites on Aukaraime South ===		=== Colonial Period Sites on Aukaraime South ===

Tfking106: /* Introduction */

2011-04-29T23:57:59Z

Introduction

Thomas: /* Introduction */ italicize ship's name

2011-02-26T18:06:36Z

Introduction: italicize ship's name

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:06, 26 February 2011
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	Background research prior to departure had been limited to study of published sources and consultation with a few people who had been on [[Nikumaroro]] (such as the Smithsonian ornithologist Roger Clapp). We set out to expand our background knowledge of the island during a week spent in Suva, Fiji while making logistic arrangements. We quickly learned that the records of the [[Western Pacific High Commission]] (WPHC), which had overseen the [[Phoenix Islands]] in colonial times, had been sent back to [[Hanslope Park\|London]] and/or distributed to the former colonies, but the library at the [[University of the South Pacific]] yielded a number of useful secondary sources. Notable among these was [[Luke\|Sir Harry Luke’s]] ''From a South Seas Diary,'' which includes Sir Harry’s account of his visit to [[Nikumaroro]] shortly after [[Gallagher\|Gallagher’s]] death, and provided a photo of the [[Government Station\|“Rest House”]] where [[Gallagher]] lived.		Background research prior to departure had been limited to study of published sources and consultation with a few people who had been on [[Nikumaroro]] (such as the Smithsonian ornithologist Roger Clapp). We set out to expand our background knowledge of the island during a week spent in Suva, Fiji while making logistic arrangements. We quickly learned that the records of the [[Western Pacific High Commission]] (WPHC), which had overseen the [[Phoenix Islands]] in colonial times, had been sent back to [[Hanslope Park\|London]] and/or distributed to the former colonies, but the library at the [[University of the South Pacific]] yielded a number of useful secondary sources. Notable among these was [[Luke\|Sir Harry Luke’s]] ''From a South Seas Diary,'' which includes Sir Harry’s account of his visit to [[Nikumaroro]] shortly after [[Gallagher\|Gallagher’s]] death, and provided a photo of the [[Government Station\|“Rest House”]] where [[Gallagher]] lived.

	We sailed for [[Nikumaroro]] on September 12 aboard Pacific Nomad, an erstwhile Japanese trawler re-outfitted as a dive tour vessel. Transit to the island, via Pago Pago in American Samoa, took five days; we arrived off Nikumaroro on September 17th..		We sailed for [[Nikumaroro]] on September 12 aboard ''Pacific Nomad'', an erstwhile Japanese trawler re-outfitted as a dive tour vessel. Transit to the island, via Pago Pago in American Samoa, took five days; we arrived off Nikumaroro on September 17th..

	Survey work in 1989 generally comprised two sets of activities: a land search and a reef search, carried out simultaneously by separate teams under [[Ric\| Ric Gillespie's]] overall direction. [[King\|Dr. King]] headed the land team and advised on archeological methods for the dive team; Mr. Joe Latvis was in charge of the dive team. Each team member was responsible for keeping a daily log, using standard forms, and team leaders kept more elaborate daily and situational notes. Expedition photographer Mary DeWitt and videographer [[Matthews\|Russ Matthews]] worked opportunistically with both teams, and the dive team maintained its own photographic and videographic record. The land team also undertook work in the lagoon.		Survey work in 1989 generally comprised two sets of activities: a land search and a reef search, carried out simultaneously by separate teams under [[Ric\| Ric Gillespie's]] overall direction. [[King\|Dr. King]] headed the land team and advised on archeological methods for the dive team; Mr. Joe Latvis was in charge of the dive team. Each team member was responsible for keeping a daily log, using standard forms, and team leaders kept more elaborate daily and situational notes. Expedition photographer Mary DeWitt and videographer [[Matthews\|Russ Matthews]] worked opportunistically with both teams, and the dive team maintained its own photographic and videographic record. The land team also undertook work in the lagoon.

Thomas: correct italized ship's name

2011-02-24T01:50:40Z

correct italized ship's name

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:50, 24 February 2011
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	There is no reason to think that this complex of features has anything to do with [[Earhart]] and [[Noonan]]. They could represent markers erected by the [[New Zealand survey\|New Zealand aerodrome survey party in 1938]], but we think it more likely that they were property boundary markers put up in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Figure N-6 is a sketch-map of property divisions on [[Nutiran]] made by [[Laxton\|Paul Laxton]] in 1949. It is impossible to make a close comparison using his unscaled sketch, but it appears that the northern edge of the area he had parcelized is close to the line formed by Features 5, 6, 7, and 8. The widths of his parcels, too, appear similar to the 25-meter spacing between each pair of Features 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9. Perhaps these features represent divisions made after [[Laxton]] filed his 1949 report with its sketch-map.		There is no reason to think that this complex of features has anything to do with [[Earhart]] and [[Noonan]]. They could represent markers erected by the [[New Zealand survey\|New Zealand aerodrome survey party in 1938]], but we think it more likely that they were property boundary markers put up in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Figure N-6 is a sketch-map of property divisions on [[Nutiran]] made by [[Laxton\|Paul Laxton]] in 1949. It is impossible to make a close comparison using his unscaled sketch, but it appears that the northern edge of the area he had parcelized is close to the line formed by Features 5, 6, 7, and 8. The widths of his parcels, too, appear similar to the 25-meter spacing between each pair of Features 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9. Perhaps these features represent divisions made after [[Laxton]] filed his 1949 report with its sketch-map.

	In 1939, Henry W. Bigelow, Jr., of the ''[[Bushnell\|U.S.S. Bushnell]]'', commented that on Manra (Sydney Island): "The coconut trees on the island have been divided into lots of twenty-five trees, and the corners of these lots marked by coral slabs on edge, not in cement, or by cairns."		In 1939, Henry W. Bigelow, Jr., of the [[Bushnell\|U.S.S. ''Bushnell'']], commented that on Manra (Sydney Island): "The coconut trees on the island have been divided into lots of twenty-five trees, and the corners of these lots marked by coral slabs on edge, not in cement, or by cairns."

	On the last day on the island in 1989, [[John Clauss]], Veryl Finlayson and LeRoy Knoll reconnoitered the west side of [[Nutiran]], an area separated from the mudflat by a thick belt of [[buka]] and [[mao]]. They encountered a number of large, carefully excavated [[babae pits]] and the remains of several houses. These were examined in more detail in 1999, and will be discussed later.		On the last day on the island in 1989, [[John Clauss]], Veryl Finlayson and LeRoy Knoll reconnoitered the west side of [[Nutiran]], an area separated from the mudflat by a thick belt of [[buka]] and [[mao]]. They encountered a number of large, carefully excavated [[babae pits]] and the remains of several houses. These were examined in more detail in 1999, and will be discussed later.

Thomas: italicize ship's name

2011-02-24T01:49:09Z

italicize ship's name

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:49, 24 February 2011
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	=== Reef Search ===		=== Reef Search ===

	The dive team, under the direction of Joe Latvis, attempted -- and generally accomplished -- a systematic inspection of the reef face from its edge at about 3 meters down to approximately 50 meters depth. In selected areas on both windward and leeward sides, dives were carried out to depths of 55 to 65 meters, and in one case to 68 meters. Divers typically swam approximately 15 meters apart, deployed down the face of the reef, marking progress with buoys. Visibility ranged from around 30 to around 60 meters, but the ability to see objects on the reef face was affected by very active coral growth. Metal detectors were used as systematically as possible, but time did not permit a complete metal detector sweep of the entire reef face. Metal detecting was not attempted, and indeed visual search was minimal, in the area southwest of the [[Norwich City]] wreck, where there is a very substantial ferrous debris field.		The dive team, under the direction of Joe Latvis, attempted -- and generally accomplished -- a systematic inspection of the reef face from its edge at about 3 meters down to approximately 50 meters depth. In selected areas on both windward and leeward sides, dives were carried out to depths of 55 to 65 meters, and in one case to 68 meters. Divers typically swam approximately 15 meters apart, deployed down the face of the reef, marking progress with buoys. Visibility ranged from around 30 to around 60 meters, but the ability to see objects on the reef face was affected by very active coral growth. Metal detectors were used as systematically as possible, but time did not permit a complete metal detector sweep of the entire reef face. Metal detecting was not attempted, and indeed visual search was minimal, in the area southwest of the ''[[Norwich City]]'' wreck, where there is a very substantial ferrous debris field.

	The reef flat at the mouth of [[Tatiman Passage]] was inspected on foot, with metal detectors swept over cavities and coral chunks that might hide metal within them.		The reef flat at the mouth of [[Tatiman Passage]] was inspected on foot, with metal detectors swept over cavities and coral chunks that might hide metal within them.
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	For the most part, the dive team found only pieces of fishing longline and the ends of fuel drums. At one location off the mouth of [[Tatiman Passage]] they came upon and recorded a scatter of metal objects and a battery, as described below.		For the most part, the dive team found only pieces of fishing longline and the ends of fuel drums. At one location off the mouth of [[Tatiman Passage]] they came upon and recorded a scatter of metal objects and a battery, as described below.

	The debris field from the [[Norwich City]], inspected only cursorily, dropped quickly down the face of the reef, which is very steep at the point the ship struck, exhibiting little lateral extent. On the reef and beach, fragments of the ship's hull plates and equipment are scattered mostly to the southeast, and as noted below, pieces are found in the lagoon, where they must have floated.		The debris field from the ''[[Norwich City]]'', inspected only cursorily, dropped quickly down the face of the reef, which is very steep at the point the ship struck, exhibiting little lateral extent. On the reef and beach, fragments of the ship's hull plates and equipment are scattered mostly to the southeast, and as noted below, pieces are found in the lagoon, where they must have floated.

	Perhaps the most useful piece of information to emerge from the dive team's work was the understanding we gained of the reef's character. On the lee side, the reef typically descends rather gently to a depth of about 12 meters, then becomes increasingly steep to about 40 meters, and then drops precipitously into the depths. Particularly off the northwest side of the island around Tatiman Passage there are arroyo-like features three or four meters deep and a meter or two wide, which the divers thought could easily catch and hold aircraft parts falling down from the reef flat, though none were noted. A shelf was noted at about 10-12 meters deep along the lee side, extending for some distance to the northwest from the vicinity of the Norwich City wreck. On the windward side the pitch of the reef is somewhat less precipitous and the reef is cut by "spur and groove" features -- high energy channels radiating out from the island, generally quite straight, and one to two meters wide. The windward side also features a number of crater-like features that trap sand and could easily trap airplane wreckage were there any to be trapped. The reef on this side is also undercut at some points.		Perhaps the most useful piece of information to emerge from the dive team's work was the understanding we gained of the reef's character. On the lee side, the reef typically descends rather gently to a depth of about 12 meters, then becomes increasingly steep to about 40 meters, and then drops precipitously into the depths. Particularly off the northwest side of the island around Tatiman Passage there are arroyo-like features three or four meters deep and a meter or two wide, which the divers thought could easily catch and hold aircraft parts falling down from the reef flat, though none were noted. A shelf was noted at about 10-12 meters deep along the lee side, extending for some distance to the northwest from the vicinity of the ''Norwich City'' wreck. On the windward side the pitch of the reef is somewhat less precipitous and the reef is cut by "spur and groove" features -- high energy channels radiating out from the island, generally quite straight, and one to two meters wide. The windward side also features a number of crater-like features that trap sand and could easily trap airplane wreckage were there any to be trapped. The reef on this side is also undercut at some points.

	Objects found by the dive team included many barrel rings, fragments of [[Norwich City]] hull, a length of copper pipe (which looked like aluminum underwater, generating considerable interest), and a three-cell automobile battery. The pipe -- probably from a ship -- is certainly not from a [[Electra\|Lockheed Electra]]. The Electra did carry batteries, of course, but there were also many batteries identical to the one found by the divers, piled in the vicinity of the village wireless station. Members of the Nomad's crew said that dead batteries are often used as boat anchors. The battery was found not far from the village, near the mouth of [[Tatiman Passage]].		Objects found by the dive team included many barrel rings, fragments of ''[[Norwich City]]'' hull, a length of copper pipe (which looked like aluminum underwater, generating considerable interest), and a three-cell automobile battery. The pipe -- probably from a ship -- is certainly not from a [[Electra\|Lockheed Electra]]. The Electra did carry batteries, of course, but there were also many batteries identical to the one found by the divers, piled in the vicinity of the village wireless station. Members of the Nomad's crew said that dead batteries are often used as boat anchors. The battery was found not far from the village, near the mouth of [[Tatiman Passage]].

	=== The Lagoon ===		=== The Lagoon ===
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	At the point where they begin to "cross," [[Laxton]] and Aram appear to have been standing near the west end of the low stone wall bordering the south side of the [[Government Station]], near Babae Pit Site 10. The village houses and temporary [[maneaba]] must then have been in the area to the southeast of this pit, southwest of the wall. We did not systematically inspect this area in 1989, and indeed have not really done so at this writing.		At the point where they begin to "cross," [[Laxton]] and Aram appear to have been standing near the west end of the low stone wall bordering the south side of the [[Government Station]], near Babae Pit Site 10. The village houses and temporary [[maneaba]] must then have been in the area to the southeast of this pit, southwest of the wall. We did not systematically inspect this area in 1989, and indeed have not really done so at this writing.

	From here Laxton's walk, takes him and Aram down through [[Ritiati]] to [[Noriti]], to the [[Norwich City]], and elsewhere; we will have occasion to rejoin him later.		From here Laxton's walk, takes him and Aram down through [[Ritiati]] to [[Noriti]], to the ''[[Norwich City]]'', and elsewhere; we will have occasion to rejoin him later.

	==== East Side of the Parade Ground ====		==== East Side of the Parade Ground ====
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	==== The Landing and Channel ====		==== The Landing and Channel ====

	Early landings on the island (e.g., those of the [[New Zealand survey]] party, of [[Maude and Bevington's 1937 party]], and of the first working party in 1938), were across or around the wreck of the [[Norwich City]]. During Gallagher's time at least some landings must have been made on the northwest shore of [[Ritiati]], where the whaleboat [[Nei Manganibuka]] was based.		Early landings on the island (e.g., those of the [[New Zealand survey]] party, of [[Maude and Bevington's 1937 party]], and of the first working party in 1938), were across or around the wreck of the ''[[Norwich City]]''. During Gallagher's time at least some landings must have been made on the northwest shore of [[Ritiati]], where the whaleboat [[Nei Manganibuka]] was based.

	When we arrived in 1989, the channel monument was standing though completely obscured by mao. When cleared it was a visually dramatic feature of the shorescape, about five meters high and two meters on a side, on a stone base (Fig. N-26). Apparently the core was made of coral blocks or rubble, within a framework made of steel reinforcing bars (rebar). The rebars were bent to flare at the top, forming a sort of basket that was filled with coral, the whole then being plastered with cement. Though cracked and spalling in some places, the monument in 1989 looked like the solidest, most likely to be permanent, piece of human work on the island. As noted below, in 1991 it was gone.		When we arrived in 1989, the channel monument was standing though completely obscured by mao. When cleared it was a visually dramatic feature of the shorescape, about five meters high and two meters on a side, on a stone base (Fig. N-26). Apparently the core was made of coral blocks or rubble, within a framework made of steel reinforcing bars (rebar). The rebars were bent to flare at the top, forming a sort of basket that was filled with coral, the whole then being plastered with cement. Though cracked and spalling in some places, the monument in 1989 looked like the solidest, most likely to be permanent, piece of human work on the island. As noted below, in 1991 it was gone.
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	==== The Beach ====		==== The Beach ====

	Metal detector survey along the village shoreline southward from [[the landing]] yielded eleven "hits," ten of which proved to be fragments of heavily oxidized ferrous metal, probably bits of [[Norwich City\|Norwich City wreckage]]. Hit #9 was a cigarette lighter that proved to be of 1930s vintage, assigned artifact #[[2-2-V-7]].		Metal detector survey along the village shoreline southward from [[the landing]] yielded eleven "hits," ten of which proved to be fragments of heavily oxidized ferrous metal, probably bits of [[Norwich City\|''Norwich City'' wreckage]]. Hit #9 was a cigarette lighter that proved to be of 1930s vintage, assigned artifact #[[2-2-V-7]].

	== Team Members ==		== Team Members ==

Thrasher: /* Team Members */ Corrected spelling error

2011-01-20T17:22:47Z

Team Members: Corrected spelling error

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 20 January 2011
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	* H. J. “Dutch” Kluge #0174, underwater team		* H. J. “Dutch” Kluge #0174, underwater team

	* Joseph M. ~~Lative~~ #0185, underwater team		* Joseph M. Latvis #0185, underwater team

	* Dr. Tommy L. Love, D.O. #0457, Medicine		* Dr. Tommy L. Love, D.O. #0457, Medicine

Moleski: /* The Well and Maneaba */

2011-01-01T03:13:03Z

The Well and Maneaba

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:13, 1 January 2011
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	===== The Well and Maneaba =====		===== The Well and Maneaba =====
			[[File:Maneaba.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|<div align="center">Maneaba and well</div>]]
			[[File:NewVillage.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|<div align="center">The New Village</div>]]
	At the east end of the inspected area -- though close to the center of the new village as shown on aerial photos -- we discovered what we take to be the well that Laxton mentions, dug by Gallagher and Jack Kimo Petro with dynamite. The well is a large pit, about eight meters across and now two meters deep, in the coral shelf and rubble near the lagoon shore northeast of Laxton Lane and a short distance beyond Site 25.		At the east end of the inspected area -- though close to the center of the new village as shown on aerial photos -- we discovered what we take to be the well that Laxton mentions, dug by Gallagher and Jack Kimo Petro with dynamite. The well is a large pit, about eight meters across and now two meters deep, in the coral shelf and rubble near the lagoon shore northeast of Laxton Lane and a short distance beyond Site 25.

Moleski at 01:47, 1 January 2011

2011-01-01T01:47:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:47, 1 January 2011
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			[[File:1989-Survey.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|<div align="center">Summary of search.</div>]]
	'''"The Earhart Project Expedition."'''		'''"The Earhart Project Expedition."'''

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:57, 29 April 2011
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	Background research prior to departure had been limited to study of published sources and consultation with a few people who had been on [[Nikumaroro]] (such as the Smithsonian ornithologist Roger Clapp). We set out to expand our background knowledge of the island during a week spent in Suva, Fiji while making logistic arrangements. We quickly learned that the records of the [[Western Pacific High Commission]] (WPHC), which had overseen the [[Phoenix Islands]] in colonial times, had been sent back to [[Hanslope Park\|London]] and/or distributed to the former colonies, but the library at the [[University of the South Pacific]] yielded a number of useful secondary sources. Notable among these was [[Luke\|Sir Harry Luke’s]] ''From a South Seas Diary,'' which includes Sir Harry’s account of his visit to [[Nikumaroro]] shortly after [[Gallagher\|Gallagher’s]] death, and provided a photo of the [[Government Station\|“Rest House”]] where [[Gallagher]] lived.		Background research prior to departure had been limited to study of published sources and consultation with a few people who had been on [[Nikumaroro]] (such as the Smithsonian ornithologist Roger Clapp). We set out to expand our background knowledge of the island during a week spent in Suva, Fiji while making logistic arrangements. We quickly learned that the records of the [[Western Pacific High Commission]] (WPHC), which had overseen the [[Phoenix Islands]] in colonial times, had been sent back to [[Hanslope Park\|London]] and/or distributed to the former colonies, but the library at the [[University of the South Pacific]] yielded a number of useful secondary sources. Notable among these was [[Luke\|Sir Harry Luke’s]] ''From a South Seas Diary,'' which includes Sir Harry’s account of his visit to [[Nikumaroro]] shortly after [[Gallagher\|Gallagher’s]] death, and provided a photo of the [[Government Station\|“Rest House”]] where [[Gallagher]] lived.

	We sailed for [[Nikumaroro]] on September 12 aboard ''Pacific Nomad'', an erstwhile ~~Japanese~~ trawler re-outfitted as a dive tour vessel. Transit to the island, via Pago Pago in American Samoa, took five days; we arrived off Nikumaroro on September 17th..		We sailed for [[Nikumaroro]] on September 12 aboard ''Pacific Nomad'', an erstwhile trawler re-outfitted as a dive tour vessel. Transit to the island, via Pago Pago in American Samoa, took five days; we arrived off Nikumaroro on September 17th.

	Survey work in 1989 generally comprised two sets of activities: a land search and a reef search, carried out simultaneously by separate teams under [[Ric\| Ric Gillespie's]] overall direction. [[King\|Dr. King]] headed the land team and advised on archeological methods for the dive team; Mr. Joe Latvis was in charge of the dive team. Each team member was responsible for keeping a daily log, using standard forms, and team leaders kept more elaborate daily and situational notes. Expedition ~~photographer~~ Mary DeWitt and videographer [[Matthews\|Russ Matthews]] worked opportunistically with both teams, and the dive team maintained its own photographic and videographic record. The land team also undertook work in the lagoon.		Survey work in 1989 generally comprised two sets of activities: a land search and a reef search, carried out simultaneously by separate teams under [[Ric\| Ric Gillespie's]] overall direction. [[King\|Dr. King]] headed the land team and advised on archeological methods for the dive team; Mr. Joe Latvis was in charge of the dive team. Each team member was responsible for keeping a daily log, using standard forms, and team leaders kept more elaborate daily and situational notes. Expedition photographers Pat Thrasher and Mary DeWitt and videographer [[Matthews\|Russ Matthews]] worked opportunistically with both teams, and the dive team maintained its own photographic and videographic record. The land team also undertook work in the lagoon.

	=== Land Search ===		=== Land Search ===

	Naively, we had thought that we could inspect a twelve square kilometer island pretty thoroughly in three weeks with sixteen people. As we circumnavigated the island before landing, we began to realize how wrong we had been. Not only was twelve square kilometers a good deal larger "on the ground" than it seemed in looking at a map; the vegetation was much denser than we had anticipated. As it turned out, the formerly populated parts of the island were densely wooded in [[coconut]] and [[pandanus]], while much of the rest was covered with [[mao]].		Naively, we had thought that we could inspect a twelve square kilometer island pretty thoroughly in three weeks with sixteen people. As we circumnavigated the island before landing, we began to realize how wrong we had been. Not only was twelve square kilometers a good deal larger "on the ground" than it seemed in looking at a map; the vegetation was much denser than we had anticipated. As it turned out, the formerly populated parts of the island were densely wooded in [[coconut]] and [[pandanus]], while much of the rest was covered with [[mao]] ([[Scaevola frutescens]]).

	Nevertheless, we set out to make as detailed an inspection as we could. Immediately upon coming ashore, and beginning to work our way across from the landing site to the lagoon, we began to encounter traces of [[village\|the colonial village]]--a standing structure with a sign identifying it as the "Gardner Co-Op Store, 1940" just inland from [[the landing]], and a scatter of artifacts and structural remains extending most of the way to the lagoon shore. Reasoning that the last place to look for an unreported airplane would be in a known habitation site, we noted these items only in passing and made no plans for a systematic inspection of [[village\|the village site]].		Nevertheless, we set out to make as detailed an inspection as we could. Immediately upon coming ashore, and beginning to work our way across from the landing site to the lagoon, we began to encounter traces of [[village\|the colonial village]]--a standing structure with a sign identifying it as the "Gardner Co-Op Store, 1940" just inland from [[the landing]], and a scatter of artifacts and structural remains extending most of the way to the lagoon shore. Reasoning that the last place to look for an unreported airplane would be in a known habitation site, we noted these items only in passing and made no plans for a systematic inspection of [[village\|the village site]].
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	Second, we learned that [[mao]] is extremely difficult to cut through -- or indeed even to see through. Having cut 3 or 4 meters into the wall of mao that lined the eastern side of the mudflat/sandbar -- with considerable effort, since the wall was made up primarily of hard, dry, intertwined stalks that tend to turn a blade -- one found that one literally could not see anything much more than a meter to either side. To make matters worse, even with continual compass checks, it was very difficult to keep a steady bearing.		Second, we learned that [[mao]] is extremely difficult to cut through -- or indeed even to see through. Having cut 3 or 4 meters into the wall of mao that lined the eastern side of the mudflat/sandbar -- with considerable effort, since the wall was made up primarily of hard, dry, intertwined stalks that tend to turn a blade -- one found that one literally could not see anything much more than a meter to either side. To make matters worse, even with continual compass checks, it was very difficult to keep a steady bearing.

	While the level of visibility we experienced, and the level of accuracy we were able to maintain, were doubtless sufficient for locating an intact aircraft, they were not at all encouraging with respect to locating pieces of one -- to say nothing of the human remains, ephemeral campsites, and artifact scatters that could also evidence the one-time presence of lost aviators. On the other hand, we quickly found that the east side of the mudflat/sandbar was lined with a coral shelf that would certainly have kept an airplane from running very far into the bush, so we inspected this area as well as we could, as far in as the shelf, and shifted our attention to the west side. Here the mao was somewhat less dense, and gave way to palm forest where the problem was not so much getting through the bush as it was seeing the ground and keeping one's footing in the dense litter of fronds and coconuts. We inspected this area enough to satisfy ourselves that there were no airplanes or large parts lying around, but without extensive ground clearing we could easily have missed small parts and other artifacts.		While the level of visibility we experienced, and the level of accuracy we were able to maintain, were doubtless sufficient for locating an intact aircraft, they were not at all encouraging with respect to locating pieces of one -- to say nothing of the human remains, ephemeral campsites, and artifact scatters that could also evidence the one-time presence of lost aviators. On the other hand, we quickly found that the east side of the mudflat/sandbar was lined with a coral shelf that would certainly have kept an airplane from running very far into the bush, so we inspected this area as well as we could, as far in as the shelf, and shifted our attention to the west side. Here the ''mao'' was somewhat less dense, and gave way to palm forest where the problem was not so much getting through the bush as it was seeing the ground and keeping one's footing in the dense litter of fronds and coconuts. We inspected this area enough to satisfy ourselves that there were no airplanes or large parts lying around, but without extensive ground clearing we could easily have missed small parts and other artifacts.

	The only evidence of human activity we found on or around the mudflat/sandbar comprised a few iron barrel fragments, [[coconut trees]] with footholds cut into them, the remains of two very small structures identified by Kaitara Kotuna as probable field shacks used by coconut toddy collectors, and a number of standing coral slabs placed at more or less regular 25 meter intervals near the edges (discussed below). We were initially puzzled by these, and spent a good deal of time recording them. Upon finding another in the bush on the low ridge east of the mudflat/sandbar, however, and finding it to be aligned with one on the flat itself, we concluded that they were property boundaries, placed when [[Nutiran]] was divided for clearing and planting in the late 1940s.		The only evidence of human activity we found on or around the mudflat/sandbar comprised a few iron barrel fragments, [[coconut trees]] with footholds cut into them, the remains of two very small structures identified by Kaitara Kotuna, our Kiribati government representative, as probable field shacks used by coconut toddy collectors, and a number of standing coral slabs placed at more or less regular 25 meter intervals near the edges (discussed below). We were initially puzzled by these, and spent a good deal of time recording them. Upon finding another in the bush on the low ridge east of the mudflat/sandbar, however, and finding it to be aligned with one on the flat itself, we concluded that they were property boundaries, placed when [[Nutiran]] was divided for clearing and planting in the late 1940s.

	We made further tries at organized transect survey, but invariably found that visibility was far from satisfactory. At the same time, the extreme density of the mao, combined with extreme heat (recorded at 120 f. on the beach) nearly resulted in heatstroke and exhaustion casualties on a couple of occasions. This persuaded us that a somewhat less formal approach to survey was in order. Eventually we evolved the following categories of survey method:		We made further tries at organized transect survey, but invariably found that visibility was far from satisfactory. At the same time, the extreme density of the ''mao'', combined with extreme heat (recorded at 120 f. on the beach) nearly resulted in heatstroke and exhaustion casualties on a couple of occasions. This persuaded us that a somewhat less formal approach to survey was in order. Eventually we evolved the following categories of survey method:

	1. Intensive visual survey: Systematic walk-through on controlled transects, 5-15 meter spacing depending on visibility, with cutting as needed. Should be adequate for large object identification except that visibility is extremely limited in dense mao.		1. Intensive visual survey: Systematic walk-through on controlled transects, 5-15 meter spacing depending on visibility, with cutting as needed. Should be adequate for large object identification except that visibility is extremely limited in dense ''mao''.

	2. Cursory visual survey: Systematic walk-through with explicit search mission, but no effort made to walk controlled transects, and with only as much cutting as absolutely necessary. May involve crawling around, looking under, climbing over mao. Should be adequate for large object identification except where heavy mao obscures.		2. Cursory visual survey: Systematic walk-through with explicit search mission, but no effort made to walk controlled transects, and with only as much cutting as absolutely necessary. May involve crawling around, looking under, climbing over ''mao''. Should be adequate for large object identification except where heavy ''mao'' obscures.

	3. Unsystematic stroll: Walk-through for planning purposes, in transit to other area, recreation. No explicit search plan.		3. Unsystematic stroll: Walk-through for planning purposes, in transit to other area, recreation. No explicit search plan.