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§ Mar 1964
15. The ship thon procezded to Ailinginae Atoll, The Magistrate
helieved it possible that «a party was on Enibuk Island. A party wns
landed, conducted 9 thorough search but found no ons. The ship remained in the vicinity of Enibuk while the two whale boats procceded
to Sifo Islend, 4 sloop wes sighted anchored in the lagoon off Sifo
Island, The party landed and John the Mazistrate once again explained
the need for leaving Rongelep. Eighteen (18) Marshallese wore transported from tris island,

Both this group,

and John,

assured the party

thet there were no Marshallese on my of the other islmds md the
evacuation was considsred completed, The sloop was anchored off the
islend in a good lec, The same procedures for handling the 18 evacuecs
from Sifo were followed as described in the proceeding paragraphs,
18, The PHILIP departed from Ailinginee et 1800h) on 3 March and arrived
ot the Naval Station Kwajalein at O830M on 4 March, The Marshallese
were disembarked during the morning of 4 March and removed to the Naval
Dispensary. On arrival, the PHILIP was visited by Commander, Navel
Stetion, Kwajalein, and representatives of Commander Joint Task Force
SEVEN,

17,
In spite of the willingness of the people to loave their homes
there was understandable concérn over the safety of the two sloops lcft
bohind at Rongelap and Sifo. These bosts are a community asset for
hauling copra ond returning tho basic food staples, medicines and
clothing during the period that Trust Territory ficld trip ships aro
not evailable, Thsro was 2 considerable amount of copre in a drying
shed on Eninetok and a smeller amourt on Sifo.

It was most dishcartcning

to the Magistrate to leave the copra behind since he himsclf had proparod
the copra on Eninstok last week, All livestock, including about one
hundred chicksns end ten pigs wero abandoned on Rongelap. Two dogs were
also left orn the island, Since the people were not given an estimate of
the duration of their evacuction, the concern over the above items will
mo doubt incrense as the absence from their homes grows longer.
18, It is recommended that aircraft periodically check the condition
of the two sloops at Rongelap and Sifo,
It is furthor rccomnended that
som? considerstion be given to the transfer of livestock, copra and
Personal belongings on Rongelap, Sifo, Bninetok.

There is a possibility

thet these animals could be of much value for scientifie research,

19, The Marshallese werc excellent passengers, most cooperative, never
demanding and exemplary in conduct,
It was a distinct pleasure for the
crew of the PHILIP to have been afforded the opportunity to assist these
gulet people in the evacuation.
Copy to:
CinCPacF1t
CJTF SEVEN
Copleqsyoog

LANL,

J-Div,

CTU
74341
CTG 7,1

a
4

G. W. ALBIN

N

37

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