LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Christmas Island: Commonwealth Government
built 514 days ago
The first step in the selection of Christmas Island as the Bomb Test Base had in fact been taken in January and February of 1956, when H.M.N.Z.S. Lachlan brought a survey party to the Island to "bring information up-to-date in connection with the International Geo-Physical Year". In March a request was received for the clearing of the runways at the airport and early in April information was received that the British Government was to establish an "Air Base" at Christmas Island and the code name 'GRAPPLE' was born.
Source:
The island remains largely unspoiled with very little commercialism. A copra plantation and a number of other government operations, including salt extraction and fish export, a minor tourist trade centered on activities such as scuba diving provide employment for the local population, which numbers about 1800. There are few vehicles on the coral-packed roads. Christmas Island enjoys year-round near-perfect weather, with an air temperature between 74-84 degrees F, minimal rain and low humidity due to the gentle trade winds and water temperature consistently between 80-84 degrees F.
Source:
Three bombs in the megaton range were successfully dropped by "Valiant" bombers and exploded at about 18,000 feet some thirty miles south of the island between 15th May and 19th June. The thirty-three government staff and plantation workers, who had remained on the Island, were taken aboard a Naval Landing Craft for the explosions, which took place very early in the morning while they watched a film show below decks.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Commonwealth Government