Delbert W. Littrell sent email about his duty at Operation Castle.
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2003
Subject: Operation Castle. Nuclear testing
From: "Delbert W. Littrell" deldotaz@netscape.com
My name is Del Littrell and I served on the USS Renshaw from 1952 to1955. Those
were good years in my life. But being a witness to several nuclear
tests has bothered me to this day. The displacement of natives in
the Marshall Islands was tragic. Placing service personal at risk
and then not following up with a long term study of possible harm
was a terrible mistake.
In a way, the USS Renshaw's experience during the atomic bomb
testing in Bikini atolls was a pleasant one. We did some great
snorkling. The water was clear which gave exceptional view of fish, octopus, rays,
huge clams, and coral. Several times the ship slowed so that the crew
could fish. Red snapper, tuna and shark were some of the fish caught.
Early morning, May 1, 1954 all crew members not on duty were told
to go topside. Each of us faced the bulkhead with an arm over closed
eyes. Even so when the hydrogen bomb Bravo went off it was as if we
were looking into a very bright light.
Turning around we saw the mushroom like cloud expanding higher
and higher in the sky. Soon we heard a sonic boom, which was later
followed by a second boom.
I ordered copies of the deck log for that time period. While
there was no mention of the test it appears from the reports that we were about
82 miles West of the blast. We heard the USS Phillip was much closer
and some of the crew were exposed to radiation fall out. I wondered
about my friend Ausley who was on that ship.
As we found out later the bomb was much more powerful than predicted.
Also the test should not have taken place because the winds were blowing
East in the direction of inhabited islands. This was good for the
Renshaw since we were stationed between Eniwetok and Bikini to act as air
controller of a plane that would warn if debris should move toward
Eniwetok.
On March 3 the Renshaw headed for Utirik Island. There we took on
board 154 people who were on the island. We then sailed to Kwajalein
where the islanders left the ship.
The Renshaw received radioactive fall out on another occasion. I
do not know which shot it was. The ship was anchored and I was standing
mid-watch on the quarterdeck. I believe the OD was Lieutenant Emerson.
It was a pleasant, relaxing watch until a crewman who monitored for
radioactivity reported that we were in fallout. Both Lt. Emerson and I commented on the fact that we felt like our skin was crawling even though we knew it was all in our head.
We were outside and we were concerned about how long we had been receiving
radiation. We got inside the bridge and woke the Captain and Exec.
It was decided to use the umbrella of water set up to wash down the ship.
One funny thing that came up. The water for the wash down would be
pumped from the ocean. One officer was afraid that the ocean water
might be contaminated. They contacted a higher authority about it and
got a caustic reply back to start washing the ship down.
During the umbrella of water procedure, we had limited vision, but what we saw was spectacular. And it did the job. The monitors reported that radiation readings were normal.
I am sure my records show that I received little radiation, which
basically was an educated guess since I did not wear a radiation badge.
But I always felt my being outside meant I received a heavier dose than
the rest of the crew. I guess I was lucky because I have had no medical
problems related to the atomic experience.
A running joke, after seeing a couple of explosions, was the answer
a sailor gave when asked if he was going topside to see the next test. "No,
if you've seen one, you've seen them all." I do not think anyone really felt that way.
Delbert W. Littrell
Surprise, AZ.
Email:deldotaz@netscape.com
Keith Whittle
October 22, 2003
[ Operation Castle ]