Research, on behalf of that office and the Atomic Energy Commis-

sion, made a similar request of the Coast Guard for a vessel,
The AEC has been provided a copy of the ONR communication and 11
is noted that

it refers to a survey distance of 3,000 to 5,000

miles, and a cruise of about three to four weeks,
The cruise
should now cover a track of about 12,000 to 14,000 miles and be
of a duration of about six to eight weeks,

Ideally, a vessel is desired which would cruise at 16 - 1

knots, accommodate six technicians, offer sufficient deck space

to mount a hydrographic winch (8! x 6'), and allow approximately

20 square feet of enclosed working space for technicians and
electronic gear,
In this respect the USS Matagorda would be mos

adequate.

It is realized, however, that your own demands for

such a vessel may be great and that you may find some alternate
arrangement more feasible,
Should this be the case, we would

be prepared

to discuss such alternate arrangements,

The proposed survey is of vital importance to the atomic
energy program and bears significantly on matters of national
~--*>defense,:-We- trust, therefore, that you will give favorable conSideration to this request,
If preliminary calculations are

correct, the trapped radioactive debris could reach Formosa and

Japan as early as March, 1955,
It is important, therefore,
that the cruise get under way as soon as pessible, preferably
on or shortly after March

1,

1955,

Dr. John C, Bugher, Director of the Division of Biology

and Medicine,

AEC,

has been aSsigned general responsibility with

the AEC for carrying out the mission,
Technical execution will
be under the AEC's Health and Safety Laboratory, New York Operations Office, New York City. Dr. Bugher's office will be happy
to provide whatever additional assistance may be

required or

provide such additional information as you may need,
Sincerely yours,

/s8/ RW, Cook
K.D, Nichols
General Manager

.

-~6-

Enclosure

III

,

Select target paragraph3