UNCLASSIFIED
~~DDES98: VLM: GWA: wk
H2-l
Serial:
OO1
5 Mar 1954
15, The ship then procezded to Ailinginne Atoll. Ths Magistrate
believed it possible that a party was on Enibuk Island. A party wis
landed, conducted a + -rough search but found no one. The ship re-
mained in tho vicinity of Enibuk while the two whale boats procceded
to Sifo Island,
<A sloop was sighted anchored in the lagoon off Sifo
Island, The party landed ond John the Magistrate once again explaincd
the need for lesving Rongelap. Eighteen “(18) Marshallese wore transported from this island. Both this group, and John, assured the party
that there wero no Marshallese on any of the other islands and the
evacuation was considered complstod. Ths sloop was anchored off the
islend in a good lea, The same procedures for handling the 16 ovacuces
from Sifo were followed as dascribed in the preceeding paragraphs,
16, Tha PHILIP departed from Ailinginaze 2t 1800ki on 3 March and arrived
at the Naval Station Kwajclein at O830lM-on 4 March, The Marshallose
were disembarked during the morning of 4 March and removed to the Naval
Dispensary,
On arrival, the PHILIP was visitod by Commander, Naval
Station, Kwajalain, ond represontatives of Commander Joint Task Force
=VSN.
17, %In spite of the willingness of tho people to luave their homes
there was understandable concern over the sefety of the two sloops lcft
behind at Rongelap and Sife, These bonts are a community asset for
hauling copra and returning the basic food staples, medicines and
clothing during the period thet Trust Territory fisld trip ships are
not evailable, Ther was a considerable amount of copre in a drying
shed on Eniaetok and a smollor amount on Sifo, It was most dishcartcning
to the Magistrate to leava the copra behind sinee ho himsclf had prepared
the copra on Enicastok last week, All livestock, including about one
hundred chickens 2nd ton pigs were cbandonod on Rongelap. Twe dogs were
alsc left on the island, Since the people were not given an estimate of
the duration of their evacuction, the concern over the above items will
no doubt increase as the absonce from their homcs grows longor,
18, It is recommended that aircraft periodically check the condition
of the two sloops at Rongeleo and Sifo, It is further rocommended that
som? consideration be given to the transfor of livestock, copra and
personal belongings on Roncelap, Sifc, Enirotok, There is a possibility
thet these animals could be of much value for sciontific rosearch,
19, Tho Marshallese wero excollent passengers, most cooperative, nover
demanding and exemplary in conduct, It was a distinct plecsure for the
crew of tho PHILIP to have been afforded the opportunity to assist these
Cop;By peopls in the evacuation,
Gnpfles,
CJTF SEVEN
CTU 7.3.1
CTG 7.1
G » We. ALBIN
UNCLASSIFIED
Sea
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4
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