Summary of External Doses for Operation TEAPOT as of 1 May 1986
Gamma Dose (rem)

0-0.5

0.5-1

1-3

3-5

5-10

10+

Army

2,280

1,088

1,234

51

5

0

Navy

287

32

197

21

0

4

Air Force

842

73

103

55

5

4

Marine Corps

462

1,450

4

0

0

0

Civilian DOD
Participants

128

3

1

0

0

0

4.12 OPERATION WIGWAM.
Operation WIGWAM consisted of only one nuclear detonation, a deep
underwater test conducted in the Pacific Ocean approximately 500 miles
southwest of San Diego, California.

The device was suspended by cable from an

unmanned barge and detonated at a depth of 2,000 feet in water 16,000 feet
deep.

The test, which had a yield of 30 kilotons, occurred on 14 May 1955 at

1300 hours Pacific Daylight Time (16: 9).
The test site was chosen after careful deliberation.

AT DOD request,

Scripps Institution of Oceanography surveyed various locations in the Pacific,
the Caribbean, and the Atlantic.

The site had to be deep enough to contain

the detonation, yet away from undersea or sea bottom perturbations, such as
sea mounts, ridges, and islands.
In addition,

Migratory fishing areas were to be avoided.

the site was to have fairly well-known currents and thermal

gradients, a predominance of good weather, and isolation from shipping lanes.
The area selected was judged the best to fulfill the requirements (16: 1-11).
4.12.1

Background and Objectives of Operation WIGWAM.

Prior to WIGWAM, nuclear weapons had been tested in the atmosphere, on
the surface of the earth or water, or at a shallow underwater depth.
Considerable interest developed, particularly within the Navy, in

110

Select target paragraph3