Locality: . Bikini Atoll,
Bikini Island.
Personnel:
Date:
August 16,
Weather:
Same 14.
Fair, hot,
Water conditions:
little surf.
Last minute collections of rats,
ship moved to Bikini anchorage.
1964-~-Sunday.
etc.,
little wind.
Smooth:
very
finished at Enyu and
Anchor was up at 10.20 and down
again 1 hour later at Bikini Island about 3/4 mile from shore.
In a.m. Lewis and Lowman made plankton tows over the entrance
sill in the Wide Passage.
Two tows of 15 minutes with Lowman taking
part for trace mineral analysis and balance to L.R.L. for radiochemical analysis.
General reconnaissance of Bikini Island underway after lunch.
Landed on the beach and most members tried to break through the
jungle-like growth to the outer reef.
ceeded.
Papaya have grown to giant trees 25 to 30 feet high.
Only green fruit was seen.
with some difficulty,
island,
Palumbo only one that suc-
Road along lagoon side was followed,
to the campsite of the south end of the
then to the outer reef.
"Most vigorous and dense young vegetation I have seen on
any island,
Particularly on good soil, vegetation so dense we
could not walk across the Island.
Disturbance by man is almost
hidden by new growth as viewed from above.
Beneath the cover,
however, rusting machinery and rotting buildings are much in
evidence.
"I believe the Island could grow coconuts very well and could
be rehabilitated. "--Gessel.