.
7
with these views but explained that he could not risk the safety of his
ship and crew by entering a lagoon entrance which is not only narrow and
shallow but completely unmarked. A ship captain's concern over the safety of his ship is understandable,
however, if the goverrment plans any similar move, operations within the
smooth waters of the lagoon should be facilitated by properly marking the
channel entrance and the passe
Passengers should never be transferred any-
where but in the relatively calm waters of a lagoons
In the event that circumstances prevent said markirg, a smaller class
ship with shallower draft and greater maneuverability should be used in
these operations. Another alternative would be to "air-lift" the passengers.
The procedure of keeping the people aboard ship for the entire test
period should not be repeated. As stated previously, the passengers were
very uncomfortable for several days and the voyage remained an ordeal to
those who did not recuperate from their "mal-de-mer" until the cruise was
nearly completed.
This
3.
oe
mitted to live on the ship or on the shore as conditions permit.
would be advantagous to the Navy as well as the evacuees, less fuel and
water would be consumed and the passengers would certainly be much more
comfortable.
ot ug
-
It is recommended that in event of any future operations of this type,
the evacuees be sent to another atoll in a safe area and that they be per
The writer is curious to know why a return trip was not made by
the PBM that had been sent to Ujelang to evacuate four pregnant women and
that only evacuated two of them. The authorities involved must have been
fully cognizant of the fact that two of the women were not flown out.
(The two women had gone to a distant island for the day and could not be
reached that particular day) But no action was taken to bring them out on
a return flight.
The writer is probably at fault because he did not specificallyrequest
a return flight at the time he informed the medical officer from Kwajalein
that two of the pregnant women were not available for the return flight
that daye The writer did not deem such a request necessary, assuming as he
did that the authorities involved would automatically follow up and complete
their part in this operation.
As a result of this blunder the two women who were in the last stages of
pregnancy were forced to undergo an unnecessary ordeale
They were both ill
for the major part of the trip. Their husbands and relatives were naturally
quite concerned about their condition.
he The Commanding Officer of LST 627, Lt. GEORGE W. WIEDINGER, his
officers and crew are to be highly commended for their wholehearted coop-
eration and the many kindnesses and courtesies extended to all of the pass~
engers. Everything possible was done to make the passengers as comfortable
and happy as possible.
There were no unpleasant incidents involving Marshallese and ship's
company. The latter went out of their way to make the passengers feel at
ease
s
~
corieD/DOE
Jo.