UNCLASSIFIED
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Cok FIDE\TIAL
INFORLAL NARRATIVE OF EVACLATION OF NaTIVsS FROM
UTIRIK ATOLL, MARSKALL ISLANDS
Having received orders at just before dawn on 2 uarca ly54, to proceed
to Utirix atol:, tne nenshaw, immediately departed from the patrol area north
of Eniwetok Atoll and set course eastward to pass south of Bikini enroutc.
Speed was adjusted to arrive at daylight the next day and the 400 mile voyage
was completed without incident.
Meanwhile, nex activity was evident in Renshaw.
Charts, sailing direc-
tions, tide tables and all possible sources of information on the Atoll were
searched and avidly studied. although the decision that the natives would
be evacuated was not known on board until late in the night of tne 3rd, plans
were firmed up for handling the pecple. S.weral schemes werc put forward but
the fines _plan was made with the invaluable knowledge and assistzice of z. K.
Tryba, Bic, USN. Ke had served a tour of duty in trust territories west of
the marshalls and had experience in evacuation of natives.
Although the Douglas A, Munro (DE-422) was detailed to assist Renshaw,
her estimated arrival was not until 0413301:, hence plans were made fcr the
possibility of receiving on board Renshaw ell the reported 180 natives of
tne Atoll.
The approach to the target Atoll was made from the westward and north of
Take Atoli whicn is only & miles Si of Utirik. It was signted at about 0c30.
or. the morning of 4 Larch and course was set soutneastward to pass between
the two atolls, Enroute to the south side of triangular shaped Utirik atoll.
we passed close to the recf on the western side in order to get a look at
Utirik Passage, There was no thought of entering this channe. inasmuch as
Sailing Directions werc very definite that no ship larger then a FC should
make the attempt. kevertheless, a look was desired to determine if charted
beacons were present (they weren't) and to determine the feasibility of our
boats entering the lagoon or perhaps even the DE should it be found toc dan-
gerous on the south side for the evacuation. Theoretically, it would have
even been possible for Renshaw to enter at high tide about 16001! when our
1€ ft. drag aft would clear the channel about 3 ft. if the charted depths
were correct and if the sun at our cacks made the channcl au coral heads
visible. It was reckoned that the thrill of entering this channel for the
C.O. would be about like that of Rhussian roulette.
Upon rounding the Sh tip of the Atoll, course was set eastward to skire
the reef along th: soutnern leg which appeared to offer the best lee from
wind and surf for the evacuation. Fortunatcly the weather was exceptionally
good with light NE winds and only moderate swells. At 0735 the ship hove
to at about 500 yds just south of Utirik Is., the largest of the Atoll and
on which all the natives were reported to live. At this time trust terri0S officials and interpreters had not arrived nor had an ETA bean reccvived.
preD/o
n view of our directive to commence evacuation at daylight it was decided
CON FIDENTLAL
(eae
coalposieinr
ENCLOSURE (1)