Page:Operation Crossroads 1946.pdf/343

 USS Hughes ( D D - 4 1 0 )

USS Hesperla ( A K S - 1 3 )

Task Unlt and Functlon

1 July 1356UnderwayforBikini. 2 July 1222Anchoredinberth

The destroyer Huqhes was a target vessel during CROSSROADS. Its crew was evacuated before ABLE and never returned. It served in Destroyer Division 1 of TUI 1.2.3 (Destroyer Unit).

230, Bikini.

Shot ABLE (1 J u l y, 0900)

3 July 1349Anchored

in berth 145, Bikini. 1 July

Crew

evacuated

to

Bayfield.

4-24JulyRoutinesupply-issuingoperations

2 July 1330

Shot BAKER ( 2 5 July, 0835) 24 July 1500UnderwayforareaPackard.

1400

25 July 0950 Left formation en route to Rongelap Atoll. 1623 Anchored in berth 35. Rongelap Atoll.

1415

29 July 1830 Underway from Rongelap to Bikini.

5 July 1340-1435

30 July 0857Anchoredinberth 145, Bikini. in berth 131A. Bikini. 1147Anchored 6 July 1430-1500

Routine 2 August 1852

Team A under commanding officer reboarded to survey damage. Team B reboarded: commanding officer inspected holds and lower decks and opened up secured compartments. Started emergency diesel generator for lighting and power. Inspection disclosed extensive superficial damage and damage to boiler air casings. Damage reported t o CJTF 1. Towed by USS Clamp (ARS-33) from berth 61 to USS Dixie (AD-14) in berth 91 for repair workon boiler air casings. YTF-107 removed unstable ammunition.

operations. 12 July 0830

Anchored in berth 369. Bikini Atoll. 1015

Underway assigned from to berth 163. Anchored in berth 163. Bikini.

5 August

1641-1817 7 August 0926 8 August 1257-1526

23 July 1710

LCT-1377 moored alongside. Anchored in berth 131A. Bikini.

24 July 0745 LCT-1420 moored alongside starboard. 1000

14 August 1020 22 August 0900

Team C of reboarding organization left for Bayfield.

Shot BAKER ( 2 5 July, 0835)

Anchored in berth 191. Bikini.

28 July Inspected by JTF 1 Radsafe Ship Clearing Board for radloactivity. Clear of radioactivity except for evaporators.

23 August 1355

Underway for Kwajalein.

24 August 1424

Anchored in berthK-9, Kwajalein.

31 August

Underway for Pearl Harbor.

1 August 1300 10 August 0845-1000

12 Septembet Arrived Pearl Harbor. USS HUGHES

(00-410)

Crew S t z e : 81 Btklnl Atoll Arrlval: Before 30 June 1946 Blklnl Atoll Departure: 26 August 1946 Crew Locatlon for Shot ABLE: USS Bayfleld (APA-33) Crew Locatlon for Shot BAKER: Bavfleld Shot ABLE Locatlon: 985 yards (900 meters) SSW Shot BAKER Locatton: 625 yards (590 meters) SSW Decontamlnatlon Locatlon: Bremerton. Washlngton Sunk 16 October 1948 o f f southern Callfornla coast

Team B of reboarding organization departed for Bayfield. Team A left for Bayfield.

12 August 1400

13 August 0900-1130

338

BeachedoffEneuIsland,southeastern part of lagoon. by USS Reclaimer (AB-42) to prevent possible sinking because of damage sustained during BAKER. AllHuqhespersonneltransferredfrom Bayfield to USS Rockinqham (APA-229). Commanding officer and nine others in boarding party reboarded Huqhes for preliminary decontamination and inspection work. Boarding party departed for Rockinqham. Ship pumped dry, retracted from beach by salvage tug, and moored to a buoy west of Eneu Island. Three-man boarding party aboard ship to assist in salvage operations. Boarding party left ship and returned to Rockinqham.