DEBRIEFING OF (DELETED)

Created: 6/11/1953

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM RELEASE AS SANITIZED

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SUBJECT ebriefing of

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regarding the reconnaissance trip in which he engaged in Caribbean waters, C

3 *tated that he arrived at Panama0une and waa met

of DTROBALO. Ha occupied quarters at the base.une he discussed the

project with station personel and inspected the vessel. "taat

he was not to be in command of the vessel but that he might go along as an adviser

with the title of executive Officer. C. Tt-cd to this arrangement since ha

fe;lt that he had no alternative and that it was his duty to make the trip. On

inspecting the vessel he discovered that it was not seaworthy. The after deck was

so rusted that,at spots, chipping had penetrated the plates, the anchor winch waa

inoperative for dropping anchor and the compass had not been compensated. Coapcna

sation requires tho workpecialist. Although two navAl technicians were

available no attempt is known to havo been made to have this work done since the

vessel came under our control. This resulted in later navigational errors of up

toiles. The steering wires were not protected, as is normal, and were in

danger of being covered or burning out. The steering engine room leaked considerably

od

with thc result that six or seven inches.wcre on the floor. Another foot ofput the ship out of commission. Unly one bilge pump wis in operativefour ore normalessel of this type. One bilge pump leaves nounusual strain. Consequently in tho event of rough weather or fire it maypossible to keep the ship afloat. In any event, if thc only bilge pumpan cxtreonly grave situation results. The engines are in very poorhf fiveive technical details

upon his arrival.somewhat concerned that the cargo may have been

damaged by storage tn the hold since this has no ventilation.3riad recommended that the hatches be removed to permit ventilation but this was disapproved.

The ship sailed0 I* June and was swung after preceding six miles

from the breakwater. At0 she wa3 putorthwesterly course.

In navigating,relied heavily on usegghly inaccurate

instrument, particularlyessel travelling at speeds beloe/six knots. The

northwesterly course was held untilune at which time

that something must be wrong and put aboutourse of

Daylight revealed that they had been headed for the coast in the vicinity of

Funta de Perlas and would have run aground within forty-five minutes had they not

put about. Establishing their position by terrain features ashore^heyew

course east and sighted Big Corn Island atittle Corn Island

coast

was sighted atpproaching the northwest akmut ofIsland, horses were obderved on shore but not people or houses. Thetower, however, was visible. After anchoringards offparty of roguhly ten men under ^was landed. The landing partyan estimated two miles and dieoovorcd houses, natives, well kepthorses and pigs. The cook,thet he was familiar with the

island, having visited it beforearine and that when he knew itIsland was inhabited. Printed soiling directions of the Navyand the Coastal and Geodetic Purvey state that fresh vegetables andbe obtained On Little Corn Island. The landing was made0 and hyhad gathered on the beach. One of them stated tohe

had lived on Dig and Little Corn It-lands all of his life and would like to

accompany the ship when it left in order to sec more of the world. At approximately

n armed man in uniform came down to the beach and asked the idontlty of the

ship and captain and why it was there. Ho was told that the ship waa commanded

by" they had had engine trouble and had put in to go swimming.

After stating that heoabor of the constabulario and should report the

incident to his superior on Big Corn Island he mentioned needingound

of sugar was givens well as cigarettes. The naxe of the vessel was plainly

visible from shore.

The ship got under way atune. Heading for Panama

o oightjtaken at noonuneavigational error ofiles. Between

une, it became noconoary to lie to ln order to transfer dieaol

oilne lung gasolene engine since the transfer pump did not work. After

sighting Porto Bello atune, tho ship was found to be betweenid 50

off course. The breakwater was reachedC. While attempting to land at

thethe ship on the beach. Bumpers which had been provided

1

in anticipation of this type of, rmneuver prevented permanent damage.

Original document.

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