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Figure 31. USS Saratoga (CV-3) sinks following CROSSROADS, Test BAKER.

was observed north of Nam Island (outside the lagoon). Task force ships in the lagoon stayed in the southeast sector near the entrance in order to keep clear of the radioactive water. Their evaporators were allowed to be used on 26 July. The target ship USS Hughes (DD-410) was towed to Eneu and beached by USS Reclaimer (ARS-42) to prevent sinking. Figure 32 shows a welder aboard Hughes during preparations for towing. Note the respiratory protection device being worn and the nearby monitor. The same situation persisted on 27 July; however, some instrumentation was recovered from the target ships. USS Preserver (ARS-9) attempted to get a line aboard the damaged and heavily contaminated USS Fallon (APA-81) so that it could also be beached beside Hughes. This could not be accomplished until the following day, however.

Because of the persistent radiation in the lagoon, several radiological reconnaissance flights took place over the next few days. Eight missions were flown on 26 July and two on 27 July. Five photography flights were made on 26 July and four on 27 July. Six drone boat control TBMs flew on 26 July and two on 27 July. Photo and radiological reconnaissance flights continued through 30 July, while drone boat control flights were not needed after 28 July (Reference C.9.206, Part VII, S. Encl 13-14).

On 28 July, radioactive water in the lagoon spread southeast to some of the task force ship anchorage areas, forcing some ships to relocate to uncontaminated areas. However, the Red Line (1 R/24 hours) was eliminated at 1455 on 28 July. On 28 July at 2352, Sumner reported readings of 0.156 R/24 hours on outboard bunks and 0.204 R/24 hours at the evaporators. On 29 July it was sent out of the lagoon and into the open sea in an attempt to decontaminate the hull. PGM-24 and PGM-29 had become contaminated earlier, reading 1.56 R/24 hours amidships. Their crews were evacuated to USS Appling (APA-58) and Haven.

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