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Ve
and form ties were unloaded from ships at Engebi Island, sorted,
and transshipped to Runit.
Heavy equipment, cement and special concrete
aggregates were unloaded directly off ships and stored in warehouses on the north end of Runit.
All other construction material
was unloaded and stored in an Engineer Dump at Iniwetok Island and
was requisitioned by the Island Commander as needed.
Clearing of approximately fifty acres of coconut trees and
moving of 50,000 cubic yards of earth was necessary before surveying,
layout of structures, and construction work could begin.
This clear-
ing and grading was begun on 29 December when the first contingent
of Company "E" came ashore with two bulldozers and began clearing an
airstrip for light aircraft.
The remainder of the company moved ashore
on 5 January started rehabilitation of existing structures, established
a water point » and set up a camp.
Members of the MK-PK Company, who had
completed the footings for the 200 foot tower while quartered aboard
ship moved ashore with the company and began tower erection.
Surveying was begun on 20 January when Lt Commander MMB and his
survey party staked out the Hartman line, which also sefved as a part
of the base line for the triangulation scheme.
Due to high winds and
bad weather there was a delay of about one week when no measurements
could be made. “This was overcome by using a canvas wind shield 3 feet
high and 180 feet long, stretched along the windward side of the
measuring tape and manned by 18 enlisted men.
By using this systen,
the initial concrete building was located and layout completed on
29 January.
All other layout was finished 2 February.
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Section Vib
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