From: "Frank Potts" fepotts@charter.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Sandstone (and Crossroads)
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2005
Hello Keith,
You asked for a brief description of my activities relative to Operation Sandstone. My memory is far from perfect after all these years (almost 57), but here goes. In early 1948, I was asked if I would like to volunteer for a very important assignment. At the time, I was a Navy Weather Observer (Aerographer's Mate) stationed in San Diego with FASRON 110, and I said "yes." Very shortly thereafter I was transferred to the USS Mt McKinley. For the next six months, we participated in Operation Sandstone during which three Atomic Bomb tests were conducted at the Eniwetok Atoll. The entire operation was very secretive and we were surrounded with security measures. The Mt McKinley was the flagship for Joint Task Force Seven.
My job during the actual explosions was to hold steady a high-speed pressure recorder that was on an open deck and which was also suspended from the deck above. The assignment was to prevent the recorder from moving during each blast. After viewing the chart following the first test, it was apparent that I had moved although I was certain that I had not! For the second blast I was much better and for the third test, I was near perfect. It is very difficult not to move during such blasts and if not for the tell-tale evidence of the charts, I would swear I hadn't moved at all - even on that first test.
Since weather played such a critical role in such tests, we worked very hard in the days immediately preceding each blast. We had several radio-teletype machines and we entered weather maps almost continuously. Our weather office was often crowded with high ranking officers almost to the point where we had no room to do our work. The ship's Captain (W.L. Ware), told me that he felt like he had totally lost control of his ship because of the number of higher ranking officers aboard.
Witnessing those tests is an experience that is impossible to forget. The muffled boom and the resultant pressure wave that follows is an indescribable event - but, the most significant element was the beauty of that mushrooming cloud that develops. Looking through those dark glasses, one could see nothing until the blast and then the light seemed brighter than sunlight. Ear protection was not necessary to the best of my knowledge, but the use of glasses was stressed for those viewing the blast.
I need to acknowledge the wonderful cakes that Adm. Denebrink used to have in his refrigerator, but I best not reveal why I know how good they tasted. Thank you, Admiral!! You were a wonderful leader.
I also participated in the Operations Crossroads tests. I was stationed aboard a PCE many miles from Bikini and our assignment was to view cloud formations to determine if any from the tests passed our location. We were unable to positively identify any such clouds.
To the best of my knowledge, I have suffered no medical problems as a result of my participation in the subject A-bomb tests.
Frank E. Potts
Madison, WI
Email:fepotts@charter.net
Keith Whittle
December 4, 2005
[ Operation Sandstone ]