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p94
main propulsion,
she was returned to Mnixetok to offload project
personnal and e,alpment ani was then sent to Kiajalein to effect
repeirs.
Se
Om Sunday, 25 Apeli, at about noon, word wse received
from CJTF SEVEH at Rniwetok that, «ith a break in the weather ianinent, the detonation of UNIGH nexé morning rould again be atteapted.
Ships prepared te sortie ani awaited the arrival of the Eniwetok
staffa.
Soets in the lagoon with fishing ani diving parties were
recalled, A decision had been made that morning that the Budd —
project would plant al) ite mince on UNION rather than spread ite
participation over two shots; RECLAIMIR ani SHEA were planting the
two strings of mines that had beon intenied for « later shot. By
1700 they hed Laid sll mines in the previously deaignated pattem
and proceeded out of the lagoon,
wotek sé 1300,
‘The firing partyarrived froa Eat-
CIT? SSYAN and his staff landed on the Eninam air
ctrip ond were flom to uSTES by helicopter. 4 1750 the fring
party reached the shot barge, and CUITISS rot undermay for the Ragu
anchorage,
«ss they received their pascenzers, ships hoisted anche
and left the legoon,
The sortie was ascomalished by changing evect
times as necessary to mect the situations which resulted from late
arrival of the Enineteok groups.
Vespite the lee start all prepare
tions «ere completed by 2246 when ESTES, ith the firing party ebear,
got unmieresy end proceeded to sea, leaving the lecoon anpty except
for moored bests ani barges.
BEIL#Z CROVE ami BAIROED, with
167
AFWUKO
PHILIP