Hardtack 1958
US Atomic Veterans
Don Rowan
Don Rowan sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From: "Don Rowan" dc.rowan@verizon.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Hardtack
Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2001
Hi Keith, Atomic test veterans, and former shipmates of the USS Takelma,
I served on the Fleet Ocean Tug, USS Takelma, ATF 113, and participated in the Operation Hardtack nuclear tests in 1958 at Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. I was discharged as a Radarman 3rd class in 1959 in Long Beach, CA, where I now reside.
The Takelma was stricken from service in Jan 1992 and has been transferred to Argentina through the Foreign Assistance Act. That ship saw us through some wild and interesting experiences during my 2 ½ year tour of duty on her, which included, a collision with and sinking of a floundering Lyberian Merchant ship which we were trying to rescue about 800 miles northeast of Japan, getting caught in and riding through a typhoon for two days and nights north of Luzon, and most interesting was the participation in Operation Hardtack. If anyone out there reads this who was on this ship during the collision, the typhoon or Hardtack, I would certainly like to hear from you.
Our duties at Eniwetok during Hardtack included setting up a mine field for the lagoon shot, positioning and anchoring ships and submarines for different shots, and setting part of the actual device in place for the deep water shot (Wahoo). We didn't seem to have a major role in many of the shots so we sat anchored in the lagoon close to Perry Island much of the time with intermittent heavy duties in preparation for certain shots. Perry island beer, horseshoes, great scuba diving and talking about women were our primary activities. One break in the boredom for us was our ship being assigned to steam to Rongelap (a small atoll about 300 miles east of Eniwetok) to check for habitation and evacuation if necessary to avoid fallout from one of the upcoming shots. No habitation but even more spectacular scuba diving inside the lagoon. Incidentally, there had been recent habitation as evidenced by a blackened firepit, empty coca cola cans, empty Ronson lighter fluid cans, a weathered lean-to, and some used condoms. There was a grove of coconut trees where carvings of names with dates back to the 1800's. We of course followed tradition adding our names. On this island we picked up several beached glass Japanese fishnet balls and a 200 lb sea turtle which was prepared by our cooks for dinner.
Very memorable was the spectacular colors within the mushroom that were visible once the eye protection goggles could be removed. I was utterly unable to appreciate the energy turmoil created by such a comparatively small device. Most spectacular for me was the Wahoo deep water shot. We were positioned 7500 yards from zero and could watch this one without eye protection. We were lined up on the main deck along the gunwale when at time zero a hugh spherical section of the ocean began to rise as though an immense ball was bobbing out. No one was able to focus on it but all could see a pressure wave in the form of a dark shadow line approaching the ship through the water at great speed. At the instant the shadow reached the ship there was a very brief low amplitude shudder felt and then it was gone. The ocean continued to rise at zero point turning pure white and rising to a relatively low altitude then began to expand outward. I felt the white water was going to expand to and engulf us but it did not. It all dissipated back to the ocean surface and the only surface disturbance we experienced was the passage of the shadow. We then went in to a couple the anchored ships to check radiation levels.
We all had pen style dosimeters in our pockets for instantaneous reading of radiation levels, and additionally a film badge worn around the neck for recording total accumulated exposure. I have no recollection of anyone on our ship reaching the maximum allowed total level.
On our return to Honolulu we were 200 miles out but at night we could see the faint dome shaped glow of the city lights on the horizon. Each night the light dome would get larger, we all got more excited, began cleaning up, counted our money, and talked up a storm about our planned expenditures.
Those were good days, with good experiences, with good guys. Thanks for providing this site where we can recall, write, and exchange experiences.
Don Rowan
Spokane, WA.
Email: dfrcat@aol.com
Keith Whittle
October 8, 2001
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