. ” _ Because of the heavy cone anf tho U5US Ainsworth returned to Ruiwetok during the evening of ghot day go that reeorsry plans could be revised and porsome} . oould be abhifted betwees ths warious ships in preparation for ship-based operations at Bikini, It was decided that ocoupancy enti oe Ge teminatien of the atoll, the USS Balrokxo, U8S Estes, UZS Ourtics — ? of the island cempe ot Bikini would not be radiologically ssfe fcr the remainder ef the operation, Tho ships returned to Bikrind the night of 2 biareh and recovery cperations preceeded acoading to schedule. a 7 Because of the ‘slight the Koo inatallation on Fare asm result of the Bravo ehot, and the xsact thet the next soheduled shot, Union, might lar 14 ss large as Bravo and envse additional damage, it . was decided to fire Romeo next. fo raximise the distance fron » it was decided to fire Ecmeo in ths Bravo on the barge lecated south of Furcchi. Reuss was selectc’ in preference to the other devices since it was fs1lt that, of thease devices which could be mdo ready inthe short tines D available, 4t was the lenses likoly to produce e yield of more than thus minimising the chances of further danagine the Koon installetion. , b. The readinsss cate for Romeo wat eet a6 11 March 1954, aud the mierity of Task Unit 18 projects ware ready on thet dste, Some instrumstation hed been very hastily installed, hosgver, and the lorg deley period whish foliewed enabled several groups te ixprove their equipment sad put in additions] stations. On 10 March, it was ceaided tixt tie shot would uve tc be Galayed 26 hows since some of the disgnostio tests sould act mot the 11 March date with a reasomble degres of ecatidenve. The wouther wes ost satisfactcry on 12 March enc a €8 ” heurs Geley was ardereé. Euccessive delays were ordered until 19 Naroch ct OTS, whon it was anvounced that 26 March vould be chot cay. Suitable weather did not develop, ani further dolays were necessary. During this period it waa necossary to miintain a onpadliity, for firing on 16 hours notice. G. 4&£¢ 0780 on EC Marck, it was annecuneed that the weather locke? Sevorable for 27 March axl,