from MAJURO lagoon for KWAJALEIN to pick personnel and property at
EBEYE Island. The vessel arrive there at 0840 and after completion of
ream
power
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the evacuation departed at 1320 the same day for RONGELAP,
On board the LST 618 for the return of their homeland were 250
natives with their personal belongings, carried in every conceivable kind
of container, from woven mats to galvanized wash tubs to new airplane
luggage.
Also on board were five coffins bearing the remains of Ronge-
lapese who had died during the intervening 39 months since their forced
evacuation ‘in 1954,
Returned with the natives were 30 pigs, 60 chickens,
six dogs, one cat, one duck, one pet pigeon, and 12 outrigger canoes.
For this journey, special arrangements had been effected in the
LST 618 for the safety and comfort of the passengers. . Wire screening
was placed at the ship's rail, at hatches, and at ventilators to protect
children while playing on deck.
with mattresses,
On the troop deck were located bunks
one for each person,
made up with clean bed linen.
During the daylight hours of the return voyage, all the Rongelapese remained on the upper deck beneath a large canvas awning. In spite of close
confinement the people appeared contented: they were returning home.
The trip was pleasant and uneventful, andthe vessel arrived at RONGELAP
on the morning of 29 June 1957.
Before debarking, all the Rongelapese
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gathered beneath the deck awning. There they offered prayers and hymns