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JOINT TASK FORCE SEVEN
We
APO 187 (HOW) c/o POSTMASTER
a
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
A
COMPT
8 March 1954
SUBJEGT:
Report. on Soil and Water Sampliig Mission
TO:
Commander
Joint Task Force SEVEN
APO 187 (HOW)
c/o Postmaster
San Prancisco, California
1. In compliance with your oral instructions, the undersigned visited LIXIT
and AILUK Atolls, JEMO Island and MEJIT Island in the Eastern Marshalls between
the period 5-8 March 1954 for the purpose of collecting soil and water samples an
measuring level of gamma radiation present at those places in comection with
BRAVO.
The mission, consisting of the undersigned and a Marshallese interpreter,
Lan Lakapun, embarked on the USS RENSHAW (DDE499) at Kwajalein, visited the four
sites and returned to Bikini, where the reminder of the trip to Eniwetokwas per.
formed by PEM.
tion:
There follows a detailed ciscussion of the findings at each loca-
a. LIKIEP ATOLL. The samples were taken on Liklep Island, which had th
largest native population. Access to the lagoon was gained throvgh South Pasa.
Poor light at the end of the day and numerous coral heads necessitated anchoring
about 4 miles from Likiep Island, Trip in was mde by whaleboatthe fol
moming.
A water sample ms taken froma large cistern fed from tha ngof of the
Catholic rectory, and earth samples were taken from random spota about the island
which were unsheltered by trees or other growth at approximtely 0600 M 6, March
1954. Radiation readings were talm with a MX-5 instrument between O600 Mand 09%
Mand showed o mximum of 3 millircentgens per hour, No variations fromthis _
reading were noted on clothing or bare feet of individuals. According to account:
received by
_ the population we greatly exited by the light
and blast wave, the latter which reportedly norrived about 30 minutes subsequent
to the light flare, According to
, church attendance was greatly
stimulated on the day of the test.
be
consists of a small
Islnnd.
This location was reached at 1100 M, 6 March 1954,
heavily wooded islend, surrounded by a line coral reef with
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heavy surf on three sides. There being no place for landing a whaleboat, perasoar
and equipment were transferred from the whaleboat to the reef by 4 one man rubber
raft. The undersigned transferred himself by swimming. The island proved to be
uninhabited, and reportedly is a2 sea turtle preserve. Turtle hunters erected
several houses, a rain barrel of which provided a water sample.
Earth samples
were gathered at random from open areas, including one of beach sand above the
high tide mrk, The party was led straight across the island and back to the lin’
ing area via the beach, in order te verify its .mminhabited state. Samplos wre
me
3
ae,