Digital Micronesia--Marshalls History--An Electronic Library and Archive


History

	Pre-Colonial Period Following the visits by Spanish vessels in the 1500s, contact with European ships became frequent in the late 18th and early 19th century. From the 1840s onwards beachcombers, traders and then missonaries became residents on several atolls, influencing the life of the Marshallese population.
General Essays on the Marshallese Past by Dirk H.R. Spennemann A series of short essays on various aspects of Marshallese archaeology and history. These sketches had originally been written as articles for the Marshall Islands Journal. They appeared in book form in 1993 and are here reproduced with various additions. Beachcombers, Traders & Castaways in the Marshall Islands by Francis X. Hezel Ever since foreign ships began visiting the islands, men came ashore to stay--some as deserters and beachcombers, some as castaways, some as traders. This is a list of those foreigners who came to the Marshall Islands to stay--at least for a while Marshall Islands History Sources compiled and edited by Dirk H.R. Spennemann This series attempts to furnish extracts of original historical sources and documents to illustrate aspects of the Marshallese past. Contained are the texts of treaties, original accounts of early visitors and so forth. A brief introduction places each of the sources in context. Traditional and Nineteenth Century communication patterns in the Marshall Islands By Dirk HR Spennemann From the Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences [PDF file] Listing of ships visiting the Marshall Islands (until 1885) edited by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Chronological listing of ships visiting the Marshall Islands until 1885. The data list is meant to be used to develop contact frequencies over time. Historic ships associated with the Marshall Islands (Descriptions) by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Accounts of individual ships which played a major role in the non-indigenous history of the Marshall Islands. MICRONESIA: A Submerged Cultural Resources Assessment by Toni Carrell, Editor (PDF file, Courtesy US National Park Service) Historic Demographic Information for the Marshall Islands compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Demographic tables arranged by period and by atoll. Contains a great deal of historic data. Essays on Various Aspects of Stamps and Postal History of the Marshall Islands compiled by Dirk HR Spennemann Includes a section of the pre-philatelic mail service to the Marshall Islands Biographical Sketches Page linking to biographies and biographical sketches of persons connected with the Marshalls Islands and held at this site. Flags flown in the Marshall Islands Marshall Islands Historical Images A page listing historic images on-line compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Marshall Islands Historical Maps A page listing historic maps on-line compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Country Directory Directory of resources relating to other countries and their interests in the Marshalls Islands during the pre- Colonial Period. Sources Story of the Morning Star by Hiram Bingham, Jr (1866) Story of the Morning Star 1883 sequel Morning Stars and Missionary Packet by Albert S. Baker Events The wreck of the Libelle and other early European Visitors to Wake Island, Central Pacific by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Wake Atoll, even though off the main shipping lines between Hawaii and the Philippines or HongKong had been a navigation hazard in the nineteenth century, largely because it was so low lying and thus hard to see, but also because it position had often been incorrectly reported. This paper details the early European history of the atoll and focuses on a shipwreck and the subsequent salvage events. A Bibliography of Otto von Kotzebue's visits 1816/17 and 1821 compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Diary account of the trader James L. Young's first visit to southern Marshall Islands in 1876. by James Lyle Young The items contains a description of the navigatability of the atoll and comments on the local traders resident there. Reproduced are items relating to the visit of the Brig Vision to Mile Atoll, Majuro Atoll, Arno Atoll, Jaluit Atoll, Namorik Atoll, and Ebon Atoll. Johann Kubary Type specimens collected by Kubary on behalf of the former Museum Godeffroy (Hamburg) Apogon graeffii Holocanthus diacanthus Lethurus bonhamensis Naseus vlamingii Serramus medurensis Zanchus cornutus Places A 19th century cannon on Ebon, Ebon Atoll A photo essay
	German Period (1885 - 1914) Germany bought the Marshall Islands off Spain in 1885. It established a small administration, run first as a concession company and later administered directly from Berlin. The main economic development was the expansion of copra industry on the atolls and the commencement of phosphate mining on Nauru.
General German Administrators in the Marshall Islands by Dirk H.R. Spennemann A listing of the terms of office and brief biographical sketches of the administrators of the German protectorate of the Marshall Islands (1886- 1914). Flags flown in the Marshall Islands Marshall Islands Historical Images A page listing historic images on-line compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Marshall Islands Historical Maps A page listing historic maps on-line compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Essays on Various Aspects of Stamps and Postal History of the Marshall Islands compiled by Dirk HR Spennemann Includes a section of the German Postal Administration and the stamps issued Foreign Land holdings in the German Marshall Islands by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Taxation in the German Marshall Islands by Dirk H.R. Spennemann The item discusses the nature of taxation during the German colonial period and sets of the copra tax levied on the various atolls Biographical Sketches Page linking to biographies and biographical sketches of persons connected with the Marshalls Islands and held at this site. Historic Demographic Information for the Marshall Islands compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Demographic tables arranged by period and by atoll. Contains a great deal of historic data. Country Directory Directory of resources relating to other countries and their interests in the Marshalls Islands during the German Colonial Period. Sources Marshall Islands History Sources compiled and edited by Dirk H.R. Spennemann This series attempts to furnish extracts of original historical sources and documents to illustrate aspects of the Marshallese past. Contained are the texts of treaties, original accounts of early visitors, number of traders and foreigners residing in the Marshall Islands, trading companies, shipping registers for Jaluit Harbour steamer time tables, fares for passages from and to German Micronesia , listing of colonial administrative regulations, medical statistics, copra prices and so forth. Agreement between the Jaluit-Gesellschaft and the Reich 1888 regarding the administration of the Marshall Islands Declaration between the Governments of Great Britain and the German Empire relating to the Demarcation of the British and German Spheres of Influence in the Western Pacific, signed at Berlin, April 6, 1886 Declaration between the Governments of Great Britain and the German Empire relating to the Reciprocal Freedom of Trade and Commerce in the British and German Possessions and Protectorates in the Western Pacific, signed at Berlin, April 10, 1886 1885 Treaty between the Marshallese Chiefs and the German Empire The item contains the original German and Marshallese text, as well as a translation into English. German Colonial Documents on the Marshall Islands Compilation of page images of German colonial documents relating to the Marshall Islands. Includes annual reports. Events Centenary of German Annexation of the Carolines compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Article describes the 1899 annexation of the Carolines, Palau and Mariana Islands following the purchase of these islands from Spain. Recalling the Typhoon of 30 June 1905 and its aftermath by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Daily lesson plan for the Protestant school on Nauru 1911 by Philipp Delaporte Places The Mission Cemetery on Ebon, Ebon Atoll A photo essay The irooj's house on Ebon, Ebon Atoll A photo essay The wooden church on Ebon, Ebon Atoll A photo essay A 19th century cannon on Ebon, Ebon Atoll A photo essay A European colonial house on Ebon, Ebon Atoll A photo essay Colonial Architecture in the Marshall Islands A photo essay Moveable Heritage, Likiep Village Historic Site A photo essay by Jon O'Neill The Joachim de Brum House—Likiep Historic Village A photo essay by Jon O'Neill Likomju de Brum House—Likiep Historic Village A photo essay by Jon O'Neill Likiep Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands A photo essay by Jon O'Neill The Joachim De Brum House, Likiep Atoll, Marshall Islands. An outstanding example of Micronesian plantation architecture By Jon G. O’Neill & Dirk H. R. Spennemann From the Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences [PDF file] Conservation Assessment of the Joachim De Brum House, Likiep Atoll. by Jon O'Neill and Dirk H.R. Spennemann Report dealing with the history and preservation of the Joachim deBrum house on Likiep Atoll, one of the last major buildings of the German colonial period in Micronesia. [PDF document] A Rapid Assessment of the Library of the Joachim deBrum House, Likiep Atoll by Dirk H.R. Spennemann, Jon O'Neill and Joan O'Neill Extensive private libraries are rare in the tropical Pacific. This holds even more true for libraries established during the late nineteenth century. There was only one such library in entire Micronesia: the Joachim deBrum Library on Likiep. This study describes the library and discusses its management over time, including the challenges faced in conservation management. [PDF document] Context Covers of Colonial Publications. compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Collection of cover art of early twentieth century German colonial publications demonstrating nationalistic colonial iconography.
	Japanese Period (1914–1945) Japan acquired the Marshall Islands, with the exception of Nauru, during World War I. It established a larger administration which continued the expansion of the copra industry, but also developed fishing and handicraft. During World War II many atolls were developed into formidable military bases.
JAPANESE MANDATE CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATION A Japanese Trading Station on Ailinglaplap by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Japanese Sea Plane Operations in the Marshall Islands by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Essays on Various Aspects of Stamps and Postal History of the Marshall Islands compiled by Dirk HR Spennemann Includes a section of the Japanese Postal Administration Flags flown in the Marshall Islands Places Japanese sites on Ebon, Ebon Atoll A photo essay Japanese Shrines in the Marshalls A photo essay The irooj's house on Ebon, Ebon Atoll A photo essay NBK Trading Stations in the Marshall Islands A photo essay Colonial Architecture in the Marshall Islands A photo essay The Japanese Monument for the victims of the 1918 typhoon on Majuro Atoll US MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF WAKE IS. The Pan Am Flying Boat Service via Wake Island. Stamps and Covers compiled by Dirk HR Spennemann JAPANESE MILITARY DEVELOPMENT AND WWII Taroa, Maloelap Atoll. A brief virtual tour through a Japanese airbase in the Marshall Islands by Dirk H.R. Spennemann A guided tour through the main Japanese airbase outside Kwajalein during World War II. Today the remains of the airbase are remarkable and worth a visit. The Japanese seaplane base at Wotje Island, Wotje Atoll compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Brief description of the Japanese WWII defenses on Wotje. Mili Island, Mili Atoll: a brief overview of its WWII sites compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Brief description of the Japanese WWII defenses on Mili. 8-inch Coastal Defense Guns in Micronesia. compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Discussion of the British, Italian and Japanese 8-inch Naval Guns and their Emplacements in Micronesia. Featured are the guns at Betio, Tarawa, Kiribati; Wake I, Marshall Islands, and Sapuk, Moen, Chuuk. Japanese Bases during World War II. Number of Short-term Workers in December 1943 British Naval Heritage in Micronesia: Tangible evidence of the armament trade from 1890 to 1937 by Dirk H.R. Spennemann The Pacific War in Micronesia. compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann A Bibliography of Publications on Japanese Bases and their Equipment. Apocalypse now?-the fate of World War II sites on the Central Pacific Dirk H.R. Spennemann Originally published in CRM Bulletin 15(2), 15-16, 1992. [PDF document, courtesy US National Park Service] Saving WWII Historic Sites. Metals Conservation Course in the Marshall Islands David W. Look, . & Dirk H.R. Spennemann Originally published in CRM Bulletin 16 (5), 22-24, 1993. [PDF document, courtesy US National Park Service] Flags flown in the Marshall Islands Marshall Islands Historical Images A page listing historic images on-line compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Wreck of the Toreshima Maru in Maloelap Lagoon a Photo Essay by Dirk HR Spennemann Wreck of a Japanese subchaser off Ollot, in Wotje Lagoon a Photo Essay by Dirk HR Spennemann The wreck of an Mitsubishi A6M 'Zero" on the Japanese Airbase on Taroa, Maloelap Atoll a Photo Essay by Dirk HR Spennemann Secondary use of World War II Equipment in the Marshalls: Japanese Rice Cookers a Photo Essay by Dirk HR Spennemann Secondary use of World War II Equipment in the Marshalls:127 mm dual purpose gun components a Photo Essay by Dirk HR Spennemann
	U.S. Period While Wake Island had been under US control since the Spanish-American War of 1898, the rest of the Marshalls came under US influence as a result of the Pacific War. Commencing in 1944 several atolls were captured, with remainder coming under US control with the surrender of the Japanese forces in September 1945.
MILITARY DEVELOPMENT AND WWII Historic Photos - US Navy Photos taken during World War II Historic photos taken by the US Navy during World War II in the Marshall Islands. The wreck of a Consolidated B-24J "Liberator" off Laura, Majuro Atoll by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Describes the history and current condition of a B-24J-CO Liberator' bomber (serial ##42-41205) which crash landed on 28 December 1943 in the lagoon off Majuro Island ('Laura'), Majuro Atoll. The plane belonged to the 431st Squadron, 11th Bomb Group, VIIthArmy Air Force, then headquartered in Funafuti, Kiribati. The crew was captured and disappeared in the days of the US assault on Kwajalein in February 1944. Wreckage of a Consolidated B-24D "Liberator" off Jab'u, Arno Atoll by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Describes the history and current condition of a B-24D-145-CO 'Liberator' bomber (serial ##42-41205) which crash landed on 2 January 1944 in the lagoon off Jab'u, Arno Atoll. The plane belonged to the 98th Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group, VIIthArmy Air Force, then headquartered in Nukufetau, Kiribati. The crew was captured and disappeared in the days of the US assault on Kwajalein in February 1944. Adaptive re-use of B-24 parts in the Marshall Islands by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Discussion of the secondary use of oxygen cylinders recovered from B-24 wrecks during and after World War II. Secondary use of artefacts and the development of a new historical context: an example of the jet age by Dirk H.R. Spennemann This paper outlines the secondary use of external fuel tanks of a 1950s jet fighter aircraft., which can be found throughout the islands of Micronesia. Most of the tanks are now used as water catchments. These drop tanks, are demonstrative of issues of conservation management of cultural resources and the documentation of historical events for which there is no other tangible evidence in the Micronesian region, such as: the early development of military jet aircraft; the military build-up during the Cold War; the US Air Force involvement of the Korean War; the deployment of jet aircraft in Micronesia; and the control of Micronesian waters by the US Navy. Investigations of a Grumman TBF "Avenger" aircraft submerged in Majuro Lagoon by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Description of the wreckage of an American torpedo plane on the bottom of the lagoon of Majuro Atoll. A Glossary of U.S. Naval Code Words with reference to the Marshall Islands. To Hell and Back: Wake During and After World War II by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Recollections of World War II. Personal Narratives Shot Down over Jaluit in the Marshall Islands. by Bob Seedorf The Third Strike Against the Marshall Islands in WWII . by Bob Seedorf That Damned Torpedo. by Bob Seedorf On Patrol in the Marshall Islands 1944-45 by William L. Roberts Stopping Over at Kwajalein, December 1944 by Tom Duff Losses of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Vessels in the Marshall Islands during World War II, 7 December 1941-1 October 1945 Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces in operations against and from the Marshall Islands compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Combat Chronology of the US Navy Forces in operations against and from the Marshall Islands compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Building the Navy's Bases in World War II, Kwajalein Naval Base by US Navy. Bureau of Yards and Docks. (1947) History of the development and operation of the Kwajalein Naval Base during WWII. Following the capture of Kwajalein in February 1944, the atoll was used as a fleet anchorage and naval base to carry out and support operations into the Western Carolines Building the Navy's Bases in World War II, Majuro Naval Base by US Navy. Bureau of Yards and Docks. (1947) History of the development and operation of the Majuro Naval Base during WWII. Following the capture of Majuro in February 1944, the atoll was used as a fleet anchorage and naval base to carry out and support operations into the Western Carolines Building the Navy's Bases in World War II, Enewetok Naval Base by US Navy. Bureau of Yards and Docks. (1947) History of the development and operation of the Enewetok Naval Base during WWII. Following the capture of Enewetok in February 1944, the atoll was used as a fleet anchorage and naval base to carry out and support operations into the Western Carolines United States Strategic Bombing Survey: Summary Report (Pacific War). by United States Strategic Bombing Survey. (1946) Summary of the post- World War II evaluation of the efficiency of United Sattes Bombing Programmes on the Japanese bases in the Pacific, the Phillippines and the Japanese homeland. The Pacific War in Micronesia. compiled by Dirk H.R. Spennemann A Bibliography of Publications on Japanese Bases and their Equipment. Apocalypse now?-the fate of World War II sites on the Central Pacific Dirk H.R. Spennemann Originally published in CRM Bulletin 15(2), 15-16, 1992. [PDF document, courtesy US National Park Service] Saving WWII Historic Sites. Metals Conservation Course in the Marshall Islands David W. Look, . & Dirk H.R. Spennemann Originally published in CRM Bulletin 16 (5), 22-24, 1993. [PDF document, courtesy US National Park Service] Flags flown in the Marshall Islands
	Trust Territory Period (1947–1946) As a result of the post World War II rearrangement of the former Mandates of the League of Nations, Micronesia, and with it the Marshall Islands, became a Trust Territory administered by the USA on behalf of the United Nations.
Lessons Learned: The Micronesian Quest for Independence in the Context of American Imperial History By Glenn Petersen From the Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences [PDF file] Secondary use of artefacts and the development of a new historical context: an example of the jet age by Dirk H.R. Spennemann This paper outlines the secondary use of external fuel tanks of a 1950s jet fighter aircraft., which can be found throughout the islands of Micronesia. Most of the tanks are now used as water catchments. These drop tanks, are demonstrative of issues of conservation management of cultural resources and the documentation of historical events for which there is no other tangible evidence in the Micronesian region, such as: the early development of military jet aircraft; the military build-up during the Cold War; the US Air Force involvement of the Korean War; the deployment of jet aircraft in Micronesia; and the control of Micronesian waters by the US Navy. Adaptive re-use of B-24 parts in the Marshall Islands by Dirk H.R. Spennemann Discussion of the secondary use of oxygen cylinders recovered from B-24 wrecks during and after World War II. NUCLEAR TESTING A Short History of the People of Bikini Atoll. by Jack Niedenthal A detailed discussion of the history Bikini with special emphasis on the history of and following the nuclear testing on the atoll. A list of the nuclear tests conducted on Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. Historic Photos - Nuclear Testing on US Navy Ships, Bikini Atoll 1946 Historic photos taken by the US Navy during World War II in the in the Marshall Islands. Special Philatelic and General Use Covers to commemorate the Operation Crossroads Nuclear Tests compiled by Dirk HR Spennemann The Archeology of the Atomic Bomb: A Submerged Cultural Resources Assessment of the Sunken Fleet of Operation Crossroads at Bikini and Kwajalein Atoll Lagoons by James P. Delgado, Daniel J. Lenihan, Larry E. Murphy (PDF file, Courtesy US National Park Service) MICRONESIA: A Submerged Cultural Resources Assessment by Toni Carrell, Editor (PDF file, Courtesy US National Park Service) Wake Island Aviation post-World War II. Commemorative Covers compiled by Dirk HR Spennemann Flags flown in the Marshall Islands
	Post-Independence (1989—) Following a plebiscite the population of the Marshall Islands preferred autonomy from the USA. In 1989 the Compact of Free Associaton was signed which gave the Marshalls independence, while ensuring US government funding of many of its programs.
Flags flown in the Marshall Islands Changing Views, Cultural Survival - Knowledge and Power in the Marshall Islands by Donna K. Stone (PDF file, Courtesy US National Park Service) Airfields in the Marshall Islands Planes operated by AirMarshall Islands Modern Shipwrecks in the Marshall Islands--Ryuo Maru No 28, Enemakij Island, Majuro Atoll 1992 A photo essay by Dirk HR Spennemann Modern Shipwrecks in the Marshall Islands Overview -- Japanese Motor Barge, Ebon -- Yamato Maru No 32, Ebon -- Wreck of a Korean Fishing vessel, Ebon -- Refridgeration Barge in Majuro Lagoon -- Coastal Freighter in Majuro Lagoon -- Wreck at Majuro Airport -- Abandoned Marshall Islands government LCU beached at Taroa Island, Maloelap Atoll -- Wreck of the Toreshima Maru in Maloelap Lagoon -- Shipwreck at the ocean side of Mile Is., Mile Atoll -- Wreck of a Japanese subchaser off Ollot, in Wotje Lagoon


Digital Micronesia-An Electronic Library & Archive is provided free of charge as an advertising-free information service for the world community. It is being maintained by Dirk HR Spennemann, Associate Professor in Cultural Heritage Management, Institute of Land, Water and Society and School of Environmental & Information Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia. The server space and technical support are provided by Charles Sturt University as part of its commitment to regional engagement. Environmental Sciences Information Sciences © Dirk Spennemann 1999– 2005

Marshall Islands politics public health environment culture WWII history literature XXX Cultural Heritage Management Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences CNMI German Colonial Sources Mariana Islands Historic Preservation Spennemann Dirk Spennemann Dirk HR Spennemann Murray Time Louis Becke Jane Downing Downing