Niku VP (WOF--2003)
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Introduction -- the "Wheel of Fortune" Mini-Expedition
In 2000, Nai'a returned to the Phoenix Islands with a biological survey team from the New England Aquarium, headed by Dr. Greg Stone. Walking along the south shore of Tatiman Passage, Greg noticed what appeared to be a metal wheel cemented into the coral of the passage bottom. He assumed it was something TIGHAR was aware of until, en route back to Fiji, he mentioned it to Nai'a's co-owner Rob Barrell, and learned that it was unknown to us. Subsequent correspondence between Greg and Ric Gillespie led to the conclusion that what we came to call the "wheel of fortune" looked a lot like the landing wheel of a Lockheed Electra.
During the same period, TIGHAR's research efforts were enriched by the contributions of Howard Allred, a New Zealand geologist with deep experience in the dynamics of coral island development. Howard -- who tragically was lost to brain cancer in 2006 -- provided much insight into what likely would have happened to an airplane that broke up on the Nutiran reef, and into the natural history of the island in general. We very much wanted for him to have a first hand look at the island.
Finances did not permit us to launch a full-blown expedition, but Howard's friend ______ was willing to take a small team to the island in his ____-foot sloop Molly at a cost TIGHAR could afford, so on