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INFORLAL NARRATIVE OF EVACUATION OF NATIVsS FROM
UTIRIK ATOLL, MARSHALL ISLANDS
Having received orders at just before dawn on 3 Uuarch 1954, to proceed
to Utirix »atoli, the nenshaw, immediately departed from the patrol area north
of Eniwetok Atoll and set course eastward to pass south of Bikini enroute,
Speed was adjusted to arrive at daylight the next day and the 400 mile voyage
was completed without incident.
Meanwhile, new activity was evident in Renshaw.
Charts, sailing directions, 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 the 3rd, plans”
were firmed up for handling the people. Several schemes were put forward but
the final plan was made with the invaluable lnowledge and assistance of B. K.
Tryba, BMC, USN. He 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 Renshew,
her estimated arrival was not until 041330M, hence plans were made for the
possibility of receiving on board Renshaw all the reported 180 natives of
the Atoll,
The approach to the target Atoll was made from the westward and north of
Taka Atoll which is only 4 miles SW of Utirik.
It was sighted at about 0630.
on the moming of 4 March and course was set southeastward 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 channel inasmuch as
Sailing Directions were very definite that no ship larger than a PC should
make the attempt. Nevertheless, a look was desired to determine if charted
beacons were presént (they weren't) and to determine the feasibility of our
boats entering the lagoon or perhaps even the DE should it be found too dangerous on the south side for the evacuation. Theoretically, it would have
even been possible for Renshaw to enter at high tide about 16004 when our
18 ft. drag aft would clear the channel about 3 ft. if the charted depths
were correct and if the sun at our backs made the channcl aud coral heads
visible. It was reckoned that the thrill of entering this channel for the
C.O. would be about like that of Russian roulette.
Upon rounding the SW tip of the Atoll, course was set eastward to skirt
the reef along the southern leg which appeared to offer the best lee from
wind and surf for the evacuation.
Fortunately the weather was exceptionally
good with Light NE winds and only moderate swells, at 0735i: 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 terriory officials and interpreters had not arrived nor hed an ETA been received.
enld ee view of our directive to commence evacuation at daylight it was decided
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ENCLOSURE (1)
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