Operation Castle
US Atomic Veterans
Bob Toothill
Bob Toothill sent email about his duty at Operation Castle.
From: "Bob & Jackie Toothill" rtoothillsir@earthlink.net
To: "Keith" pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: RE: Atomic Veteran Operation Castle
Date: Thu, 25 May 2000
Hi Keith,
My name is Bob Toothill, and I was aboard
the Belle Grove, during Operation Castle in
1954.
The most I remember about operation
Castle, was how hot it was down there.
I was an I.C.Electrician (interior
communications) in E-Division. I serviced the phone
circuits, P.A. system, inter-coms, etc.
I remember one of the blasts pretty
well. We were all topside,and after the
blast,we felt a slight shock wave--a
gust of very warm air. From what I
remember, the wind shifted, and sent
the fallout toward us. Our ship must
have caught some of it, because we
were confined below decks, until the ship
was completely hosed down. Some of us
did get a reading from the Geiger
counter, but it was only surface
fallout. After we showered and washed
our clothes, there was no more reading.
There was one island that we used for
recreation, which I think was eventually
blown up. That's about all I can think
of, off the top of my head. If I remember
any more details, I'll be sure to forward
them to you. I hope all this info, helps.
Take care for now and keep
in touch.
Best Wishes,
Bob Toothill
Email: rtoothillsir@earthlink.net
Keith Whittle
May 25, 2000
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