cart Ral SUBJECT: Report on Soil and “ater Sampling Mission collected at approximately 1200 M, 6 March 1954. Instrument readings with th showed a maximum of 3 mr/hr, however this was not considered reliable, since higher scale showed a lower reading. c. AIWK ATOLL, The ship reached this atoll at approximtely 1600 March 1954, and slowly moved to an anchorage off Ailuk Island, the most heavi populated. The lagoon has not been swept, and numerous coral heads and pinna provided considerable hazard to ship movement, The landing party moved ashor whaleboat without difficulty, and agzin obtained water samples from the most pr ent cistern and soil samples from random unshcltered spots. Readings with th showed approximtely 3 ar/hr (off the 2 mr scale), An AN/PDR-27E showed a hi reading of 7 mr/hr, however, on a different scale a reading of 12 or 15 ar/nr obtained. The MX-5 roading is probably nearest correct. No significant vari were deteetcd on bare foct or clothing of individuals, Samples and readings taken at approximtely 1700 M, 6 March 1954. G. MEJIT Island, This single coral island is also surrounded by a n3 is JEMO, but landing ms possible with a whaleboat, duc to an area protect the surf, The island was found to bo heavily populated in view of its sizc, otal number of people being 327, according to the island magistrate. Speil a water samples were takon as in the previously described manncr, at approximt 1300 M, 7 March 1954. Roadings with the MX~5 showed maximum of approximteclj or/nr (off the 2 scale, but approximately 1.5 on the 20 scale); the maximum 1 with a PDR 27 E was 10 mrfhr. The true figure was probably somowhcre botweer tWOe 2. CONCLUSIONS. Low level (less than 10 mr/hr) radiation mcasurcmert s ficld instrumcmts of the type used are highly unsatisfactory. Onc MX-5 and t AN/PDR 27 E instruments all showed widely variant readings on different seal« and varied among cach other when exposed to the same radiation. An AN/PDR T] proved completcly useless not holding to zero even aftor an hours warmup, ar also showing widely variant readings on diffcrent scalcs. 3. RECOMMENDATIONS. 4. The successful accomplishment of the mission wis grcatly facilitatec be provided with to personnel and with less danger should draw such Landing parties in islands such as JEMO and MEJIT a rubber 6-man or &man pneumatic boat, to provide greator « equipment. This will permit landing directly on live coral of the boat being stove in. Ships assigned to such mission: cquipmont prior to departure, Oo 1c the interest and cnthusiasm of the Commanding Officer of the USS RENSHAW, CDE Alford, USN, and his officers and men, Their matcrial contributions were no to the mission, however, the many valuable suggestions and assistance in sol , moana 2 t r /sf R. D. Crea R. D. OREA MAJ, USA my of problems proved invaluable. k.