BOMBS AT BIKINI 



a few holes were made in the hull by the great explo- 

 sions. Thousands of compartments were air-tested; 

 innumerable holes were filled, and the stuffing boxes 

 re-stuffed. 



Besides stripping the target ships of valuable ma- 

 terial and putting them in good physical shape, the con- 

 struction and installation of special mounts for scien- 

 tific instruments was called for. Displacement and ac- 

 celeration gages were to be mounted below decks, and 

 a great variety of gages and automatic recorders were 

 to be mounted topside. These mountings had to be 

 very heavy in many cases to withstand the severe shock 

 wave expected. Special stands or cages were installed 

 for the test animals. Special fastenings were prepared 

 for the wealth of army material to be exposed on the 

 upper decks. Much special electronics equipment was 

 readied. 



Even before the target ships began heading out to 

 sea, bound for Pearl Harbor and then Bikini, the enor- 

 mous task of inspecting them was being planned. The 

 two great explosions might create a wealth of dam- 

 age ; but unless the damage were cataloged effectively, 

 much value would be lost. 



Admiral Solberg's technical staff found that no ordi- 

 nary inspection procedures would do. The procedures 

 used during the war were studied* but were found not 



* During the war a very thorough systetn of inspections had 

 heen worked out, for example, hy the Board of Inspection and 

 Survey, Forces Afloat. 



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