TEST A: EXPLOSION IN AIR 



The salvage vessels now entered the lagoon and went 

 to work to put out fires on several of the target ships. 



At 2 :30 p.m. the Task Force Commander announced 

 over his radio circuits that the lagoon w^as safe for 

 entrance by all vessels. Ships of the Technical Group 

 entered almost at once. The flagship MT. McKINLEY 

 entered a few minutes later, and the other ships fol- 

 lowed. 



By sundown, eighteen of the target ships had l)een 

 reboarded by special boarding teams, although regular 

 ships' teams were not put aboard until later. Many 

 animals were recovered and transferred to BURLE- 

 SON; a number of scientific instruments were recov- 

 ered also. 



In the following few days the remaining animals 

 and instruments were recovered. While these were 

 being studied, diving and salvage operations were 

 rushed. An unsuccessful attempt was made to beach 

 the Japanese cruiser SAKAWA, which was afire for 

 24 hours. Soon after she was taken in tow, she keeled 

 over to port and sank by the stern. The aircraft carrier 

 INDEPENDENCE and the concrete oil barge YO- 

 160, both badly damaged, were moved to more appro- 

 priate berths. The submarine SKATE was beached in 

 shallow water off Enyu Island. 



Inspection teams now swarmed over the ships, ex- 

 amining every damaged item. The special data forms, 

 printed long in advance, proved their worth. They in- 

 sured orderly and thorough inspection, and the re- 



129 



