Researchers search Nikumaroro for missing aviator Amelia Earhart

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 13:31 · Archive

Researchers believe Amelia Earhart may have crashed on Nikumaroro, a remote Pacific island where a ship named Norwich City ran aground in 1929.

Researchers believe Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan may have landed on the uninhabited Pacific island of Nikumaroro in July 1937 after their twin-engined Lockheed Electra aircraft ran out of fuel during a round-the-world flight. So far, the search has failed to find evidence that they came down on the island.

The search area is close to where the SS Norwich City ran aground during a storm in 1929. The 400ft cargo steamer struck a reef after being driven off course while sailing from Australia to Canada. Eleven crew members drowned or were eaten by sharks after abandoning the vessel, while fifteen reached the island safely and were rescued by other ships days later.

The SS Norwich City was originally built in 1911 as the Normanby and renamed in 1919. By 1989, only the keel, engine and one boiler remained of the wreck. The boiler had disappeared by 2010, and the engine was gone by 2016.

How it is being reported

• Did aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart crash close to wreck of Norwich City ship?The search for female aviation pioneer Amelia Erahrt who disappeared almost a century ago has become focussed on a remote Pacific island where a ship named Norwich City was wrecked 9,000 miles from Carrow Road.Norwich Evening News · 19 Oct, 13:00
• Did aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart crash close to wreck of Norwich City ship?The search for female aviation pioneer Amelia Erahrt who disappeared almost a century ago has become focussed on a remote Pacific island where a ship named Norwich City was wrecked 9,000 miles from Carrow Road.Eastern Daily Press · 19 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Amelia Earhart · Fred Noonan · Nikumaroro · SS Norwich City · Fiji

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem