CHAPTER V, SECTIONS 4 and 5
where it could be skimmed off. After several
months of operation the organic substance disappeared from this well.
at Elmer was renewed because corrosion had so
thinned the metal plates that structural failure
All metal piping and fittings suffered from
the corrosive acticn of salt water and from loss
of aperture and plugging due to salt deposits
and metallic oxide. The salt water header in
the distillation plant at site Elmer had to ve
completely renewed. All the pump casings in
the CMR system required Jitting and repairs
as corrosion took place in the threaded joints
and the casings separated. The salt water tank
SEWER SYSTEMS.
Maintenance of sewer
systems was primarily concerned with preventing the clogging vf service hnes and tnains.
Heavy paper towels and other trash were thrown
was considered probable.
in
toilets,
wasn
basins and
urinals:
excessive
oxidizing of metal lines also took place. Because
of the flat terrain of the various camp sites and
fhe consequent low gradients of the sewage collection systems, periodic flushing was required.
SECTION 5
AIRSTRIPS AND ROADS
AIRFIELDS. As the airftelds on sites Elmer
and Fred at Eniwetok Atoll were completely reconditioned, and the one on Peter-Oboe at Bikini
was newly constructed for the CASTLE test proxram, maintenance byitself was limited in scope.
Primarily, this consisted of small patchwork,
patrolling, watering and rolling only as aircraft
operations warranted. The intense use of the
Fred airstrip during OPERATION CASTLE
did result in dislodgement of the dust palliative
stabilized areas, and future ictreatment will be
necessary.
ROADS. All roads, except those on Fred, were
satisfactonly constructed and maintained without bitumul finish. The patrol grader was usedl
on schedule, and also after heavy storms, to
maintain the surface. A water truck was used
to allay the dust during prolonged rainiess
periods.
The bitumul-treated roads on Fred, though
frequentiy used by tractored vchicies and other
Some
The roads on all islands at Bikini were,
on the whole, satisfactory and maintenance consisted of the oecasional use of the moter patrol.
The road between Fox and George became inundated during a few verv high tides or storms
and after the water drained otf it was necessary
to remove the accumulatec debris (Figure 5-1).
The causeways, built of earth and rock-fill,
suffered heavily from storms and high tides:
crosion Was excessive during these periods. When
this ocurred it was necessary to haul replacement fill and then re-blade.
An aggravated
erosion condition which appeared to threaten
the Operation on the Rubv-Sally causewav was
alleviated by constructing on the ocean side of
the causeway a bulkhead of steel rails and twoinch boards, which was then back filled.
Generally a stockpile of fine aggregate was
tiatuiaimedt om Various sites «which wes used, as
necessary, to maintain roads and stabilized areas.
ewe ee
heavy equipment, stood up very well.
patching was required A power broom was used
for sweeping when necessary.
Road between Fox and George
Figure 5-1.
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ry
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