Amelia earhart: Who was she? By
THEORIES REGARDING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF AMELIA EARHART
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- CRASHED, PICKED UP AND LATER DIED
- CRASHED, PICKED UP, SURVIVED AND REPATRIATED
- FORCED DOWN NEAR HULL ISLAND, DIED IN AMERICAN SAMOA
- FORCED DOWN NEAR SIDNEY ISLAND, CAPTURED, SURVIVED
- NEW BRITAIN
- NIKUMARORO ISLAND
- PHILATELY
THEORIES REGARDING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF AMELIA EARHARTCRASHED AND SUNK This theory, now questioned by many, was the original explanation of Earhart’s disappearance reported by the government in the media. It holds that she ran out of gas and crashed into the sea within approximately 40 miles of Howland Island. Proponents of the theory maintain that Earhart encountered heavy headwinds during her flight to Howland Island and ran low on fuel. Nearing Howland Island, according to proponents, Earhart suddenly ran out of fuel and crashed into the sea, her aircraft sinking immediately. CRASHED, PICKED UP AND LATER DIEDThis is a widely held belief, and not improbable, as Saipan was the administrative headquarters of the Japanese military in the Pacific. Adherents feel that she ran out of gas, or was forced down, probably in the Marshall Islands near Mili Atoll, and was later taken to Saipan. There, she died or was executed by the Japanese. The theory originated in 1944 following a U.S. military investigation after the retaking of the Central Pacific. There were later investigations by Paul Briand, Fred Goerner, Thomas Devine, and Mike Campbell. Other noted supporters include Buddy Brennan and Don Wilson.
This theory was originally speculated about not long after Earhart’s disappearance and held by Earhart’s mother. It held that she ran out of gas, or was forced down, probably in the Marshall Islands near Mili Atoll and then was later taken to Saipan, Japan or China, and survived her captivity and was repatriated to the USA at the end of WW II. According to one variation, she was later secretly repatriated by Msgr. James Kelley, on the order of the Pope and with the assistance of the U.S. Government. FORCED DOWN NEAR HULL ISLAND, DIED IN AMERICAN SAMOAThis theory holds that she reached Howland Island, did not land, continued on to the area of Hull Island, and ditched on the shore. Later, she was picked up by Capt. Jones, RNR, who was stationed on Hull Island, and eventually taken to American Samoa. There, on Aunu’u Island, in protective custody, Earhart perished of dysentery and Noonan drowned in the surf while trying to escape the island. This theory was advanced by researcher James Donahue and is not heavily supported, although it is intriguing. Mr. Donohue’s book is relatively rare, frequently expensive but profusely illustrated with photos and charts. FORCED DOWN NEAR SIDNEY ISLAND, CAPTURED, SURVIVEDThis theory surfaced with the 1985 publication of STAND BY TO DIE by Robert Myers. Myers claimed to have befriended Earhart during visits to the Oakland Airport and been told by her before she left on her last flight that she was on a mission for the government. Myers reported seeing Earhart’s plane fitted with Ping-Pong balls for increased buoyancy. He also claimed to have listened, after Earhart’s loss, to Earhart’s and ITASCA’s broadcasts for 8-10 days on the family radio. He maintained that Earhart’s broadcasts detailed her entire flight from Lae until her ditching. Myers maintained that she was bracketed by Japanese fighters, which forced her down in the area of Sidney Island. Eight to ten days later, she was picked up by the Japanese and held in captivity until the end of WW II. NEW BRITAINThis theory originated with Australian military personnel who were serving on the island of New Britain during WW II. The theory was later investigated by research David Billings. It holds that through navigational error, Earhart flew back in the direction from which she came. She finally crashed on the Island of New Britain, perishing, along with Noonan, in the process. In 1945, an Australian Army patrol found the wreckage of what appeared to be a twin engine airplane on the island of New Britain. Upon inspecting the wreck, they found an engine with a metal tag on it engraved with, among other things: S3HI C/N 1055. This was found to be significant years later because Amelia Earhart’s Electra was equipped with Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S3H1 engines. In addition, the Lockheed serial number was 1055.
This theory originated with Richard Gillespie, director of TIGHAR (The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery). The theory holds that through navigational error, Earhart overshot Howland Island and continued southeast to Nikumaroro Island, which was then called Gardner Island. She ditched on the north shore of the island and broadcast SOS messages for some days. Finally, the Electra was washed off the shore into deep water by a storm and Earhart and Noonan, unable to have salvaged enough of their supplies, perished from heat, thirst and starvation. PHILATELY
First Attempt Cover 
Courtesy of Bellarts Collection Second Attempt Cover 
Courtesy of Bellarts Collection Unique ITASCA cover created Cheif Bellarts 
Stamps issued in 1987 by the government of the Marshall Islands Download 10.38 Mb. Share with your friends:
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