PSTD get setting lines at 0342 hours at Lat. 11952 1/2'N. and Long. 166°35'E. Afterward it cruised for ten (10) minutes toward the north-east (estimated cruising distance: 1 1/4 nauti al miles), and drifted with its engine stopped. About 0412 hou s, after it had drifted about twenty (20) minutes (estimated wes way, about one half (1/2) nautical mile), a streak o which seemed to have resulted from an atomic bomb ex seen. The vessel's position at that time was approx 11°53-1/4'N. and Long. 166°35-1/4'E. About seven or eight minutes after the light had bee detonation apparently resulting from an atomic bomb was heard and the vessel immediately started hauling lines. This operation ended at 1030 hours and the ve toward the north to get out of the area. After 0440 hours, March 2 the vessel shifted its cour the north-west and headed for Yaizu. Yaizu at 0600 hours on March 14. III. It entered the Circumstances of the Accident:- lL. About 0412 hours on March 1, a reddish brilliant ligh in the direction of west-southwest of the vessel. Th this light gradually turned to white-yellow and again color of red and faded away. No wind resulting from the explosion was felt within seven or eight minutes but two blasts were heard in su A cloud having the shape of a mushroom was seen in the direction where the light was first seen and this cloud started covering the sky with dark clouds. Oo expand As the crew saw the light, some of them realized that robably in the an atomic test, about which they remembered having rea newspapers, might have occurred. Anticipating danger, Started hauling in the lines at about 0430 hours, from tion where they had previously finished setting the li gresSing in the opposite direction toward the northeas lines were hauled in by machine using what is called a hauler. While hauling in the lines the vessel's engin the process of “go slow ahead" and "stop" and the same In the present instance all hands with the exception of engineers on watch were working on the upper deck and i wheel house. In the midst of the operation of hauling lines, about t hours later than the moment the light had been seen, an estimated position of Lat. 11956 3/4'N. and Long. 166°4 ashes started to fall on the deck, which was turned whi the hauling operation ended about 1030 hours in the vic the estimated position of Lat. 12°03'N. and Long. 16695 466 ine-