CHAPTER IV, SECTION 1 HOUSING At site Elmer, on Eniwetok Atoll, men were housed in aluminum barracks and tents, and at all other camps standard Army tents, with outer flies, were used. During the operational phase, blocks of housing were designated for various Task Groups’ use. The assignment of quarters to each particular individual was made by the Camp Supervisor for all H&N employees and by a designated Task Group authority for all others. There were no unusual crowded conditions during this operation except after Bravo, as described below. All quarters were provided with comfortable beds, tables, camp chairs and aluminum hot lockers. Figure 4-13 shows a room in the permanent type barracks at Elmer. Figure 4-14 shows a typical 8-man tent. Linens were changed weekly and janitorial service for barracks and latrines was provided daily; every effort was made to provide pleasant living conditions. Where practicable, each individual was given a choice of roommates. In an operation of this type there is a con- siderable number of personnel with duties at Elmer 18-man 36-man_ 8-man 4-man Bunks barracks barracks tents tents *HEN employees only 17 15 56 50 2034 more than one camp, which results in retention by individuals of accommodations at more than one location. Population figures do not truly reflect the number of transients moving in and out of the various camps. This was especially true during periods of peak population or when sudden shifts of construction crews occurred. Frequent revaluation of the needs of each Task Group was required. This was particularly so with Task Groups 7.5 and 7.1, and it became necessary to change the block assignments in order to Authorized housing units were constructed only as the need for them became evident. The peak of housing facilities provided was reached in February 1954 and was as follows: Fred”* Ursula Tare _— —_ —_ —_ 100 — —_ 3 65 272 106 1003 With the completion of the Bravo event, a readjustment of personnel at Bikini became necessary; accordingly, the USNS Ainsworth, the USS Estes, and the USS Bairoko were sent to Eniwetok. On Bravo + 2 all Task Groups 7.5 and 7.1 personnel on these vessels were disembarked and landed on Elmer. For several days, there were more men stationed at this avoid crowding within each group assigned housing. The net result of all the foregoing was the need for providing more housing units than population figures indicated. On 13 February 1954 the total land-based population at Bikini Atoll was 1,463, which was the peak for this operation. At this time there was no apparent excess of housing units even though there were 1,735 beds and 759 lockers set up at the Atoll. 29 Charlie Fox Nan 43 1 314 230 — 18 Able How #14 - = 205 30 12 25 4 2 camp than could normally be berthed there, and emergency billets were required to accommodate them. This situation was relieved by the subsequent return of the ships to Bikini lagoon, and by surplussing and departure of personnel. Emergency billets were provided by arranging berthing spaces in various buildings as follows: Shipping and Receiving Warehouse Day Room Recreation Building Gymnasium 3 - Beach Clubs Building 206 Annex 37 - 8-man tents 16 - Aluminum barracks — — —_ — —_ — — — 96 50 60 20 75 12 148 192 mattresses cots and mattresses mattresses cots and mattresses cots and mattresses cots and mattresses mattresses (4 each) mattresses (12 each) Page 4-17