PALMYRA ISLAND 59°52'30"N 162°08'00'W LINE ISLANDS General Palmyra is one of the northern Line Islands approximately 965 nautical miles south-southwest of Honolulu. Many facilities on privately owned Palmyra were designed, developed, and built by the U. S. Navy, the U. S. Air Force, and others during, and since, World WarlIl. Because of abandonment, pillage, the effects of the weather and high humidity, and other natural elements, the island facilities are in varying degrees of deterioration. Physical Data Palmyrais a horseshoe shaped atoll about 5 1/2 miles by 1 1/2 miles, with the long axis running east and west. The totalland area of about 1,470 acres is spread over 55 islets lying ona barrier reef which is surrounded by an extensive reef platform. The reef platform of coral and hard sand encloses three distinct lagoons with a total length of about 3 miles. The widest, measuring about 3/4 of a mile, is the Western lagoon which narrows to 400 yards in the approaches to the Center lagoon. During World Warll, the U. S. Navy dredged a seaplane runway that merged the Center and Western lagoons. The lagoons vary in depth from 10 ft. to over 100 ft., and are flat-floored, but have numerous stalk-like columns of coral that reach up to the water surface. The coral reef growth is most rapid off the western end of the atoll which faces into the prevailing direction of wave approach. The reef surface surrounding Paimyra is flat and lies at a level about 1/3 of the tide range below mean high water. During high tide it is possible to wade between the exposed islets; at low tide most of the reef platform is dry. The maximum elevation for the islets is 6 feet above sea level. The mean tidal range is about 2 feet. (See map, next page.) All of the islands on this barrier reef are heavily overgrown with vegeta tion. About 16 species have been recorded. Many sea and migratory birds and a few turtles are found here. Some of the birds are a nuisance and hazardous to aircraft. Climate This is the only island in its latitude where fresh westerlies occur. The northeast and southeast trade winds meet here causing a tropical front to hover in the area; however, northeast trades prevail, with an average velocity of 10 to 12 knots. Short squalls with winds up to 22 knots are frequent, but typhoons are infrequent. Rainfall occurs daily resulting in high humidity. Average yearly rainfall is 100 to 180 inches. Temperatures: mean daily 80.5°9F; mean maximum 84°F; and, mean minimum 77°F. Extreme temperature range is 719 to 93°F; however, on the basis of mean monthly temperatures, there is only 2° of variation between any two months. There is no fog, but rain and cumulus clouds cause frequent overcast, Facilities Prominent installations are listed with an accompanying remark on major deficiencies: (a) 6,000 by 300 ft. coral airstrip overgrown with vegetation; (b) 11,000 by 3,000 ft. seaplane operating basin without markers; (c) ship passage channel requires dredging; and, (d) wharfs, piers, buildings, POL storage, water lines, water tanks, rehabilitation or replacement. , P 25-1 sewage system, etc., require VOL II