Sinking,
Ships
S.
A,
Earle
observed
observed
no
after
significant
evidence
Slowly seeping
of
from the
completing
coral
growth
environment
ships
an
and
on-site
on
and
survey of the
about
degradation
the
though
sunken
sunken
fuel
ships,
oils
were
ammunition casings were corroding,
and
concluded that
the best course of action concerning her cargo is mo action. The
gradual dispersion of fuel over the years should have little or
no damaging consequences, but releasing massive amounts all at
once would without question be detrimental to the marine life.
That
discussed
evening Al (Giddings, Earle's diving partner) and I
the fate of the munitions ship "San Francisco Maru"
with Kimiuo, and we all concurred:
Her cargo is not dangerous if
left untouched.
The picric acid now locked in the unexploded
mines
will
seep
into
the
sea
harmlessly through
gradual
corrosion, but detonation of those mines would have severe impact
on the lagoon.
Salvage techniques are dangerous, expensive --and
in this case, unnecessary.
Based on the resurvey reports of the extremely damaged conditions of
the
sunken
ships
contaminated
(loss
bottom
of
structural
condition
that
and
water
surrounds
the
tight
integrity),
the
BAKER
test
the
site,
apparent benign affect on the environment that the ships and test site have
on
the
Bikini
experience,
and
Lagoon
the
over
the
relatively
past
40
secureness
years
of
the
replicating
test
site
the
Truk
from outside
intrusion approximately 25 fathoms (150 feet -- see Figure C-1), it appears
inadvisable to
attempt
salvage.
However,
no
recent on-site resurvey has
been accomplished.
4.
RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1
on
the
potential
The
numerous
Bikini
Atoll
hazards
to
obstructions
map
located
(Reference
should
Lomilik
be
Istand and sited
detailed
to
assess
Navigation if rehabilitation and resettlement of the
Atoll 3s undertaken,
5000090
C-9)
near
,
C-9