CHAPTER 11, SECTION 2

Figure 2-29.

Typical Island Undergrowth

to the various types of work at the PPG. A much
lower capital investment was likewise involved.
Because of the distribution of this work the decision was made to establish temporary canips
with marine landings, helicopter pads, shops
and warehouse facilities at Charlie, Fox, Nan
and Tare. It was also necessary to provide an
entrance channel to Able and to connect the
Dog-George group with a causeway. Figure 2-27
is an aerial view of sites Dog and Easy and notes
conditions there on 11 June 1953. Figure 2-28
is an aerial view of Able prior to operations on
ti June 1953. Figure 2-29 shows typical island
undergrowth that was encountered in ail beach
landings. This photograph shows the original
campsite selected for site Charlie as it was on 6

April. Figure 2-30 shows this undergrowth cleared and a typical beachhead camp established
by 11 June.
Coral aggregate quarries were located at
each of the camp sites and production of aggregate was started early in April. To obtain coral
rock, the ocean reefs were drilled for four feet .
and then blasted, Figure 2-31 shows the equipment used fcr drilling the reefs at Elmer. The
rock was then crushed to sizes desired and stockpiled. Figure 2-32 notes the production of aggregate at site Easy. Two crushing plants were
available at Bikini Atoll for producing aggregate at four locations and one niant wac avajlable at Eniwetok Atoll for production at
three locations. Having the equipment available
for an early start on this work aided in meeting
scheduled construction dates. Figure 2-33 pictures the hatch plant at site Oboe.
The Operation presented a very tight construction schedule which was further complicated by the simultancous release of the major
items of Scientific Structures. This placed a
high production requirement on the bending
and placing of rvinforcing steel, preparation of
forms and pouring of concrete.
Due to the complexity of the work at
Bikini it was necessary to set up an organization
at the Tare camp similar to the base organization at Elmer. In this way the full support of

ee gm

Figure 2-30.

the various departments at Elmer could be

Beachhead Camp - Charlie

utilized in operating the base at a remote site.
The other temporary camps were placed under

the direction of an Assistant Superintendant.

Page 2-54

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