(
CQMPT
SUBJECT:
,
Report on Soil and ‘hter Sampling Mission
collected at approximately
1200 M, 6 March 1954.
Instrument readings with the MX-—
showed a maximum of 3 or/hr, however this was not considered reliable, since a
higher scale showed a lower reading.
ce
AIWK ATOLL.
The ship reached this atoll at approximtely 1600 M, 6
“arch 1954, and slowly moved to an anchorage off Ailuk Island, the most heavily
populated.
The lagoo has not been swopt, and numerous coral heads and pinnaclos
provided considerable hazard to ship movement.
The landing party moved ashore br
whaleboat without difficulty, and agnin obtained water samples from the most promi ant cistern and soil samples from random unsheltered spots. Readings with the MX-!
showed approximately 3 mrfhr (off the 2 mr scale). An AN/PDR-27E showed a high
reading of 7 ar/hr, however, ona difforent scale a-reading of 12 or 15 or/nr was
obtained, The MX~-5 roading is probably nearest correct. No significant varlatior:<
were detected on bare fect or clothing of individuals, Samplos and roadings wore
taken at approximtely 1700 M, 6 March 1954.
d.
MEJIT Island.
This singlo coral island is also surrounded bya recf,
-3 is JEMO, but landing wis possible with a whaleboat, duc to an area protectod fr:
the surf, The island was found to be heavily populated in viow of its sizo, the
sotal number of people boing 327, according to the island magistrate, Sofi and
water samples were takon as in the previously described mannor, at approximtoly
1300 M, 7 March 1954. Roadings with tho MX-5 showed maximum of approximtely 3
arfhr (off the 2 scale, but approximately 1.5 on tho 20 scale); the maximum readin;
with a PDR 27 E was 10 orfhr. Tho true figuro was probably somowhere botwoen the
SWO6s
,
2.
CONCLUSIONS. Low levol (less than 10 mrf/hr)radiation measuromert s with
fiold instrummts of the type used are highly unsatisfactory.
Ono MX-5 and threo
4N/PDR 27 E instruments all showed widoly variant readings on different scales,
and varied among cach other when exposed to the same radiation, An AN/PDR T1-B
proved completoly useless not holding to zero even after an hours warm-up, and
also showing widely variant readings on different scales,
3.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
4.
The successful accomplishment of the mission ws greatly facilitated by
be provided with
to personnel and
with less danger
should draw such
Landing parties in islands such as JEMO end MEJIT shoulc
a rubber 6—man or @-man pneumatic boat, to provide greater safcty
equipment. This will permit landing directly on live coral reefs
of the boat being stove in. Ships assigned to such missions
cquipment prior to departure.
sho interest and enthusiasm of tho Commanding Officer of the USS RENSHAW, CDR L, H..
ilford, USN, and his officers and men,
Their matorial contributions were noccssary
to the mission, however, the many valuable suggestions and assistance in solutions
of problems proved invaluable.
/s/ R. D. Crea
R. D. CREA
MAJ,
USA
——_
ve
ry
'