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Operation Crossroads July 26, 1946 This has been a beautiful day. The sun was bright, the sky was that beautiful shade I've only seen at sea, with some low broken clouds for color effect, and the sea was as smooth as glass. It was quite warm, though. We cruised around off Bikini all day. About 4 p.m. we were clear up to the lagoon entrance. We passed alongside Bikini-and it looked about the same as ever. I couldn't notice any missing palm trees. The target fleet was noticeably shorthanded-the absence of the Saratoga was especially prominent, and the Arkansas left a gap, too. I could identify the carrier Independence the battleship Nevada, and the Jap ship Nagato among those still afloat--and they were all close in to the bomb, too. Oh, yes, that concrete barge--the floating drydock in the near center of the target fleet--was still there, too! The lagoon is still radio active, though, and none of the Task Force ships have entered yet. I hear from fairly good sources that we'll leave here at 5 a.m. tomorrow!
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