JOHN C. BUGHER, MD
MERRIL EISENBUD
CONTAMINATION OF THE FUKURYU MARU AND ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS
IN JAPAN: PRELIMINARY REPORT
I have recorded some of the observations made during my visit to
Japan to assist in the various problems arising out of the mishap to the
Fukuryu Marue
I am sending this riong to you at this time because you
will no doubt want a preliminary report prior to my return to the states
in about 2 weeks,
This memorandum is intended to augment the report that Dr. Morton
will submit to you.
I have attempted to limit myself to factors other
than those associated with the clinical phases of the problem, with which
Dr. Morton's group are concerned.
THE INCIDENT
The mishap which befell the Fukuryu Maru became known to the Embassy
and the world on March 16 through reports in the Japanese press. This
was two days after the 100~ton fishing vessel had returned to its home
port of Yaizu.
The facts of the incident, as determined by the Japanese |
Foreign Office and communicated (1) to the Ambassador, are as fellows:
(1)
The course of the vessel from its departure on January 27 to its re~-
turn to Yaizu on March ly is plotted in Figure No. 1,
At Ol12 hours on
March 1 a streak of light reported by the crew is believed to identify the
time of detonation.
The vessel's position was approximately 11
534t north
and 166° 344! east. This position is only a few miles from the easternmost
limit sf the Marshall Islands danger area in effect at that time.
(2) Two blasts in succession were heard about 7 or 6 minutes after
the light™had been seen. The crew is reported to have become apprehensive
and ��began at that time to haul in their fishing lines, an operation which
continued until 1030 hours, at which time the vessel headed north "to get
out of the area", ©
(3)
At about 0700 on March 1, ashes began to fall, turning the deck
white. The position of the vessel at this time is given at 11° 563/u'
nerth and 166° 42d east. The ashes kept falling until noon at which time
the position of the vessel was estimated at 12° 14t north and 166° 53:
;
east.
(1)
Aide Memoire of March 27