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Report on Soil and “ater Sampling Mission
collected at approximately 1200 M, 6 March 1954.
Instrument readings with the
showed a maximum of 3 mr/hr, however this was not considered reliable, since a
higher scale showed a lower reading.
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@.
AIWK ATOLL.
The ship reached this atoll ot approximtely 1600 4M,
Yarch 1954, and slowly moved to an anchorage off Ailuk Island, the most heavily
populated. The lagom has not been swept, and numerous coral heads and pinnacle
provided considerable hazard to ship movement.
The landing party moved ashore b
whaleboat without difficulty, and agnin obtained water samples from the most prom
ant cistern and soil samples from random unsheltered spots. Readings with the 2
showed approximtely 3 mr/hr (off the 2 mr scale), An AN/PDR-27E showed a high
reading of 7 mar/nr, however, on a different scale a reading of 12 or 15 mrf/nr va
obtained, The MX-5 reading is probably nearest correct. No significant variati
were detcctcd on bare feet or clothing of individuals, Samples and roadings wer
taken at approximtely 1700 M, 6 March 1954.
d, MEJIT Island. This single coral island is also surrounded by a rec
.s is JEMO, but landing was possible with a whaleboat, die to an area protected
the surf,
The island was found to be heavily populated in view of its size, the
“otal number of people being 327, according to the island magistrate. Soil and
water samples were taken as in the previously described manner, at approximataly
1300 M, 7 March 1954. “Readings with the MX-5 showed maximum of approximtely 3
arfnr (off the 2 scale, but approximately 1.5 on the 20 scale); the maximum read
vith a PDR 27 E was 10 o/hr.
SWOe
:
The true figure was probably somowhero between th
:
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2. CONCLUSIONS. Low levol (less than 10 mr/nr) radiation measuromert s wit
field instrummts of. the type-used-are highly-unsatisfactory.
Ono MX~5 and thre
AN/PDR 27 E instruments all showed widely variant readings on different scales,
and varied among each other when exposed to the same radiation,
AnAN/PDR T1-B
proved completcly useless not holding to zero even after an hours warmup, and
also showing widely variant readings on different scales,
3. RECOMMENDATIONS.
Landing parties in islands’ such as JEMO and MEJIT she
bo provided with a rubber 6-man or &—man pneumatic boat, to provide groater safe
to personnel and equipment, This will permit landing directly on Live coral rec
with less danger of the boat being stove in, -Ships assigned to such missims
should draw such equipment prior to departure,
4.
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oo
The successful accomplishment of the mission ws greatly facilitated by
the interost and enthusiasm of the Commanding Officer of the USS RENSHAW, CDR L,
alford, USN, and his officers and men, Their matcrialcontributions were. nocess
to the mission, however, the many valuable suggestions and assistance in solutic
of problems proved invaluable.
7
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