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Fortunately, hofever, due to the good seamansha,o'and alertness of the
naval personnel involved, no casualties resulted. After the first two
boatloads of passengers had been sent to the LST, the writer requested that
operations be suspended due to the hazardous operating conditions. A
supply of rice, tea, canned salmon and sugar was sent ashore and the ship
- put out to sea in the late afternoon after informing the people left on the
island that they would be picked up the next morning, weather permitting.
Weather conditions. improved considerably by. the following day and
the bulk of the passengers were loaded aboard ‘under improved albeit still
unpleasant conditions.
The LST put out to sea in the late afternoon with
157 passengers aboard (78 females and 79 nales ) Tanging from the ages of
3 months to more than 80 years.
Ll ,
The passengers were berthed in compartments normally occupied by part
of the crew emembers. Nearly everyone was able to sleep in a bunk, the
remainder slept on pallets and stretchers, Meals were served on the main
deck under an awning that had been rizgged: for this occasion, Benches were
made for the use of the passengers and were placed under the main deck
awning. This provided a pleasant place to relax during the day, weather
permitting,
Church services were held here several times.
. Unfortunately, torrential rains were encountered during the first three
days of the trip, this coupled with the rough weather and crowded conditions
in the hot berthing compartments caused a great deal of discomfort.
Many passengers were sea~sick and unable to eat.
+
In fact some of them,
were il] for almost the whole trip, The two pregnant women, who had not
' been evacuated by plane, were especially uncomfortable.
All in all, the first few days of the voyage were quite miserable as
far as the Ujelang pecple were ccncerned, in spite of the fact that the.
Ccomanding (fficer, his personnel and the medical doctor did everything
possible to make the passengers comfortable and happy.
Fortunately the remainder of the voyage was spent under favorable
weather conditions which permitted the passengers to spend most of their
time top-side. Appetites returned to most of those who had been indisposed
and morale went back up to normal.
-
The passengers enjoyed three well prepared and more than adequate meals
daily. Mountains of rice and bread and lerge quantities of canned fish and
meat disappeared at every meal, as well as additional delicacies,
Movies
were enjoyed every night and sports activities were held on the tank deck
by the children. After the first few days most of the passengers became
well adjusted to ship board life and enjoyed the experience.
.A "kamolo" or welcome party was given by the passengers for the ship's
company as a gesture of appreciation for the kind treatment extended them.
This party was thoroughly enjoyed by both participants and audience.
On the morning of the "Big Drop" the passengers lined the rail - with
the ship's company to await the blast.
the manifestation which followed.
»
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COPIED/DOE
LANL RG
.
- een Iain
They were very much impressed with
(details of ‘their reactions will not be
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