Ix Repairs could act be effected in the forward ares, The resultant loss of speed end mancuversbility virtually eliminated her further usefulnese to the tssk group, For a few daye pricr to UNION she tented the NECTAR site at Inivetok, supporting the scientific per eonnel engaged there in preparing for the HOCTAR shot. By the tine UNIOS was fired «wcrk on MICTAR had progressed to the point here an LOO could take over the shot site support duties. CIG 7.5 provided ani LCU for tho purpose, end arrangements were completed to release LST 762 from the Oper tion and assist hor to Posr] Nerbor, On one ; engine she could make a maximum apeod of only 4.6 knots; at that speed she had difficulty holdinay her bow into a head sea. Since she would have to head into the sevs during the eatire woyage, ancther LST, ecroute fron the Western Facifio, was ordered by COMPHIRPAC to rentesyous with 762 between Eniwetok end Pearl Narbor emt serve as escort. The rendezvous was effected, LST 97§ joined 742, book her in tow to assist in halding her head into the sess, an4 the ciow voyage to Bexeii eontinued, On 6 Hay, approximtely 700 miles esst of Bikini, both L8Te were slightly comtaminated by radicactive fallak from YaNKRE, averaging about 20 ar/hr. Ecth ships effected decontamination before their arrival et Fearl Harbor. he Next to leave were the FECLAINER and SHEA. They had been ordered to the task group for the epecific purpose of supporting the Bureau of Ordnance's gining project, 3.4. Since they had placed all their experimental sinse in position on UNION, their alsslon was accomplished whea they had cospleted recovery of the mines after the 245 AFWL/HO . . gk v