Page:Operation Crossroads 1946.pdf/412

 USS S a l t Lake

USS S a l t Lake C l t y (CA-25)

C l t y (CA-25)

4 August 1500

5 August 0800 0910

1055 1110 I300

1315 1500

The third boarding party evacuated Salt LakeCityandreturnedtoRockbridqe where all men were checked for radiological contamination. Special party on board to start diesel generators. Thecommandingofficerandaspecial boardingteamof50menboardedand commenced cleaning machinery spaces and topside radiological contamination. Commenced daily radiological survey of the ship. Second boarding team reported aboard to relieve the first team. RockFirstboardingteamreturnedto bri& where all men were checked for radiological contamination. Third boarding team reported on board to relieve the second team. Second boarding team returned to Rockbridqe where all men were checked for radiological contamination. Third team returned to Rockbridqe where allmenwerecheckedforradiological contamination.

7 August 0915-1500 Three parties of 50 men each in 2-hour relays boarded. When the parties returned to Rockbridqe. all men were checked for radiological contamination.

A complete survey was begun and readings of representative areas were recorded. Each day the same routine was followed and readings recorded to determine changes. Each day new "hot spots" were discovered that were not previously known to exist. Every effort was made to prevent anyone from receiving more than the established radiation tolerance. It was found necessary to caution men continually about precautions to be taken around radioactive areas. Some men were still Eound handling debris with bare hands, although rubber gloves were available. Men were worked in groups with one petty 4). officer for every five or six men (Reference

5 August

Sprayed lye solution on bulkheads and deck of open bridge, pilot house level. turret No. 1, communicationdeck,and forecastle deck.Flushed off lye solution afterscrubbing withdeck scrubbers. removingseveralcoatsofpaint€rom painted surEaces. Readings generally re15 percent on wooden deck: duced 10 to t o 35 p e painted surfaces reduced 25 cent. Removed vent cover portside. frame was 60 100 main deck. Reading outside R/24 hours: reading inside was 100 R/24 hours. Flushed out vent with hose, read8 R/24hours.(Referingreducedto ence 4 ).

Holystoned main deck from forecastle to well deck. Sprayed lye solution on bulkheads from turretNo. 1 to the well deck. Lost electric power at 1400. Unable to wash down scrubbed decks. Cleaned out contaminated newspapers and canvas from wing storage frame 60. Readings reduced from 48 R/24 hours to 4 R/24 hours. Cleaned out debris from spud locker and flushed i t out. Reading reduced from 32 R/24 hours to 10 R/24 hours maximum, with about 5 R/24 hours average. A piece of wood deck was removed from the well deck aftermeasuringtheradiationofthe area. The section was then brought to Rockbridqe and planed down with a joiner machine by 1/16-inch cuts: 5/16 inch was removed to bring the wood to tolerance (Reference 4 ).

A strong acetic acid solution was applied to a deck area on the open bridge to de8 August Began boarding wlth two parties of 80 men termine the value of acid for decontamieach in 3-hour relays to reduce time lost nation. The 4-ft2 area was scrubbed for in changlng work parties. All men were 5 mjnutes after acid was applied and then checkedforradiologicalcontamination flushed off.A control area the same size when they returned to Rockbridqe. was scrubbed for 5 minutes using only saltwater. Both areas were reduced by Completed flushing loose paint from areas exactly the same amount (1.5 R/24 hours where solution was applied the previous 4). to 1.3 R/24 hours) (Reference day. The solution had to be reapplied to remove the paint. All bulkheads and turThe work parties cleared away wood gratrets in the forward halfo € the ship had ings. bunting, and other debris from open the solution applied that day. Commenced bridge, scrubbed the deck, and washed it spraying and Elushing of bulkheads on down.Flusheddownwell deck, after after superstructure deck. Considerable paint was removed, although reduction in superstructure deck. and main deck aft. No caustic cleaning materials were availgeneral radiation was about 10 percent. piable. Average readings on bridge and Where paint collected in puddles around lot house were reduced to 2.5 to 3 R/24 drainsoncommunicationdeck.reading hours and communication deck to about 2 increased from 1.5 to 5 R/24 hours. PudR/24 hours. 4). dles were removed (Reference

6 August

9 August of 50 men each in 2-hour 0910-1510Threeparties relays boarded (Reference 4). At the end of each periodaboard Salt Lake City. men returned to Rockbridqe and were checked for radiological contarnination. A strong solution of hydrochloric acid was applied to a steel plate and scrubbed for several No control minutes,thenflushedoff. area was used but the results were very nearlythesameastheaceticacid.

407

Two parties of 80 men each in 3-hour relays boarded. All men were checked for radiological contamination when they returned to Rockbridqe. Removedradioactivedebrisfromafter searchlight platform. Removed pockets of radioactive sand and debris in airplane crane structure and around structurebehind the after stack. Removed paint with lye solution from turret Nos. 3 and 4,