941 Mr. DeBrrss. We wanted to get there in time. At times we had serous transportation problems and were down to one ship for trips to the outer islands. Sometimes. the odds were against us, but we tried to do the best we could. Mr. Yates. What do you mean. the odds were against.you ¢ Mr. DeBrra. We were down to one ship for all the outer islands at times. Mr. Yatrs. And one ship would not service the island or the people? Mr. DeBrrat. It takes three field trip ships to service. to make a complete circuit of the Marshall Island group. once a month. Mr. Yates. How many ships do you need for the food for the people who were on Bikini’ Was one ship adequate for a month's supply of food? Mr. DeBrrat. If we have one ship committed only to Bikini. res. one ship wi}) do it. The ship that is committed to service Bikini also services other islands in the Marshall Islands. Mr. Yares. You mean provide food for the other islands? Mr. DeBrem. It provides services, it brings in copra and takes in trade goods so the people can buy it. FREQUENCY OF SERVICF TO BIKINI ISLAND Mr. Yates. Maybe we had better find out about where vy ° work throughout the islands. How long would vour Japers be? Presumably your schedule was one ship ea month with food for Bikini. Mr. DeBres. Yes. Mr. Yates. And howoften were there lapses in this? Mr. DeBrem. Not verv much. There were times. as I recall. when we could not provide a ship until it was a month and a half late. sir. Mr. Yates. A month anda half late; you mean two weeks after the schedule. Mr. DeBreoxi. Two weeks efter. TYPE OF FOODS PROVIDED Mr. Yates. After the schedule date. And what kind of food? You said you provided staples? What do vou mean by staples? Mr. DrBeen. Staples in Marshallese terms is rice, flour, canned meets, milk. Mr. Yates. No coconuts? Mr. DiBrem. No coconuts. Mr. Yares. I mean from the other islands. Mr. DeBrun. We never shipped any coconuts from the other islands. Mr. Yates. Why would you not? If coconuts were such a delicacy for the Bikinians. why would you not provide coconuts for them, too! Mr. DePres: it was not a part of our feeding program. sir. Mr. Yates. 1f vou were a Hikinian vou would have liked coconuts. 4 would vou not. fron: omer sae -DsBrem. Towould be clnubing a tree and getting jt myself, Mr. Yares. You would a 5011533 not worry FociaNion. .