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SUPERSTRUCTURE DAMAGE ON ARKANSAS. 



The 34-year old battleship "Arkansas," oldest 

 battleship of the United States Fleet, was one of 

 three major combatant ships within one-half mile 

 of the explosion point. Although little damage 

 was done to her hull and turrets, her wrecked 

 superstructure showed the hammer-like effect of 

 the bomb. Amidships she was a shambles. When 



the Lagoon was first reentered after Test Able 

 the "Arkansas" was still sending up clouds of 

 smoke from smouldering fires on her decks. "Ar- 

 kansas" was definitely put out of action and would 

 have required extensive repairs at a principal 

 naval base. In Test Baker she was near the bomb 

 detonation point, took brief but terrific punish- 

 ment, and sank almost instantly. 



