either on hand at Terminal Island or indications of delivery were
known.
The only major exceptions to this were orders for gas masks,
‘microscope, dark field condenser, and a stage micrometer.
The
Washington Office had been notified of the status of these: orders and
final delivery was made prior to the ship's departure.
Early in February a shipment of four thousand goggles was received
by Task Group 7.6 supply representative and his staff at Terminal
Island from an AEC warehouse in Oakland.
These goggles were to be
used by members of the Task Force as a safeguard against light intensities of atomic explosions during forthcoming operations.
For the
most part they were second-hand goggles, having been stored since the
time of Bikini tests, and were in poor condition.
Various tapes which
had been used to cover the ventilation holes had deteriorated, and
entire lots of goggles were found adhered together.
Four days work on
the part of Task Group 7.6 crew at Terminal Island was required to put
the goggles in usable condition.
.
On 19 February the loading of material aboard the BAIROKO began
but had to be suspended during the week 21 February to 27 February
when the CVE made a trip to San Diego.
Loading was resumed upon
return of the BAIROKO to Long Beach and completed on 28 February.
During the voyage to Eniwetok clothing supplies were stored in
a number of compartments throughout the ship,
The initial issue of
monitor's clothing was made from the after aviation storeroom on 12
March.
This issue consisted of 1 pair army field shoes, 6 pair khaki
sox, 1 suit of navy green trousers and shirt, 1 field cap, 3 pair
50
Section IX