CHAPTER II, SECTION 1A
entire Atoll from which the interrelation of structures and areas and their location can be specified. Due to the limited area incorporated within the survey, the slight additional refinement
obtained by computing a transverse Mercator
grid would not bejustified.
The origin of plane coordinates N103,872.0,
£128,879.0 was taken at Station Air of the US
Navy Survey which has also been adopted as
the origin of geographic position.
The basis of bearings for this grid is a true
meridian through the USN Station Air determined by adopting the adjusted value of that survey
for the forward azimuth of the line USN-Air to
USN-Enyu 268-00-01.4 or N88-00-01.4E.
The adjusted length of the line USN-Air to
USN-Enyu, as determined by expansion from
the new Oboe-Sugar base line, is 51473.8 feet.
The USN Survey value is 4.8 feet more, or
51478.6 feet. While this difference was within the
specifications for second order triangulation, it
was believed to be mainly accounted for by the
stronger figures of the new survey made possible
by inclusion of the lagoon Station Coca.
The adjusted length and direction of the
line Oboe-Nan (USN-Enyu) as determined from
its relation to the line USN Air-USN Enyu
was adopted as the initial line for computation
of geodetic and plane coordinates for this survey.
TRIANGULATION ADJUSTMENT. The com-

puted closing error of the triangulation net, be-

fore adjustment and using the observed angles

plus or minus one-third of the closing error of a
triangle, was less than 1:25,000. As the closure
was well within second order specifications, and

considering the size of the network, the additional refinement obtained by a least square adjustment could not be justified. To satisy the requirements of a plane coordinate grid, the value
of a station should remain the same independent
of the direction of computation through the net.
This was accomplished by applying a side equation adjustment which, while approximate, satisfied the requirement.

Plane and geodetic coordinates were computed for all primary stations based on this adjustment. The geodetic coordinates of the recovered USN Survey stations were computed as a

means of comparison between the surveys. Table
2-13, Figures 2-7 thru 2-12 and Tables 2-14 thru
2-23 list the plane coordinates, station locations

and geographic positions.

DESIGN. Surveys to obtain information requir-

ed for design of project features were initiated on

arrival of the beachhead party at Bikini Atoll in
October 1952. Only a small survey group could
be supported at that time and top priority was
given to the surveys for design and construction

of the camp and airstrip at site Tare. Surveys

were initiated on the other project islands as
Page 2-24

rapidly as personnel and transportation facilities
were available. The location of the high tide line
of an island wasthefirst objective, followed by
more detailed surveys of the interior of the
islands where required.
HIGH TIDE LINE SURVEYS. Thefirst requirement for site planning was to determine
the configuration and extent of the land areas
of the project islands. The procedure was to establish a third order traverse around the perimeter of an island, the elevations of the high
tide line by relation to a preliminary vertical datum, and locate this line by stadia observations
from the traverse points. The results of the survey were plotted, thereby obtaining an outline
of the island.
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING. Assite planning
progressed, more detailed surveys were require
to determine the relative elevations and location
of terrain conditions which would influence design. This work was accomplished by plane table

mapping, generally at scales of 1” to 50’ or 1” to

100’ and one-foot contours, or by profiles and

cross sections of an area.

HYDROGRAPHY. Thedesign of causeways and
beaching areas for landing craft required surveys
to determine the contour of the lagoon or reef
bottom in these areas and location of under-

water obstructions. This was generally accomplished by soundings taken from surface craft and
the location of the soundings determined by
intersection of angles from shore stations. Assistance was given to the Marine Departmentin locating channel markers and mooring buoys.

BARGE STABILITY STUDIES. The requirement to moor Scientific Station test barges in the
lagoon within specified tolerances resulted in
surveys to determine the yaw, roll, pitch, and
horizontal motion of a barge around a fixed
point. To determine this information, observa-

tions were taken over a period of several weeks
to obtain actual measurements of the various
movements of the barges. In addition, the length,
period, height, and azimuth of waves were measured and a record was kept of the direction and

velocity of the wind.

WAVE AND CURRENT STUDIES. Support
was given to representatives of the USN Hydrographic Office in determining wave and current
studies within the lagoon and seaward from the
channels through the reef. A survey party assisted by locating the observation points by sextant
angles to shore stations.

CHANNEL LOCATION. Support wasalso given
a USN Hydrographic Office group in determining the locations of channels within thelagoon for deep draft vessels. The wire dragging of
these areas was located from controls established
by this department and department personnel
assisted in the operations.

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