From: Hank Schmalen
To: Web Editor
schmalen@webtv.net
Subject: OPERATION CROSSROADS
Keith,
In response to your e-mail on April 7, 1998, I will try to state briefly
my duties on the U.S.S. Independence during Operation Crossroads. I was
a MM2/C in the “A” Division assigned to evaporators. We operated the
evaporators with no extra preparations or precautions until leaving the
Independence for berthing on a Liberty type troop transport ship. We
were on the transport ship during the test until after the Baker
detonation. During each test we were topside and covered our eyes with
our arms. We were allowed to look immediately after each detonation.
I was assigned to a boarding party but did not go on the first re-entry
the morning after test Able. This was for scientists and personnel to
check damage and radiation levels. I did go aboard the next morning. A
memorable thing about going aboard the Independence was having to climb
a rope ladder which was hanging from the flight deck near the bow. The
Independence had heavy damage in certain places but was quite normal in
others (except for radiation of course). Something I’ve always
remembered was a fire engine which was lashed down on the port side aft of
the flight deck. It was partly blown apart and burned except as nice as
could be, were the wheels with four Firestone tires, still like brand
new.
I was on the boarding crew which went over each morning until late
afternoon. We did this until the day before the Baker test. We were given a new change of
greens each day but I don’t remember being monitored for radiation each
day, if at all. We were given “K-rations” to eat for lunch each day but
being young and not knowing better we ate some canned fruit salad which
had gone through the test. After test Baker, we were transferred to a
repair ship (the Ajax AR-1) for transport back to Hawaii and
subsequently back to the States for leave and re-assignment.
Hank Schmalen
E-Mail schmalen@webtv.net
[ Operation Crossroads ]