Operation Castle
1954
Oregon Atomic Veterans
Joseph A. Waggoner
Joseph Waggoner
CWO 3
Chief Machinist
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I know for sure that people who worked on deck with out gloves, picked up a high m/r reading on their calloused hands. Cornmeal and Tide was the best to use on hands for washdown. |
Joe Waggoner sent this letter and a package of information about his duty after watching the Operation Castle and Wigwam videos.
Dear Keith
After our phone conversation, the first call; I started looking up data that I had around on the tests.
You can see that I outlasted two and one-half commanding officers on the Molala (ATF 106).
Each time there is a change of command , the new Captain writes up a new set of Duty Orders from Navy Regs.
About 3 or 4 years ago, some medical Atomic unit advertised in the Retired Officers Association for information. I started a letter at that time about why, and how the crew of the Molala (ATF 106) sea-ocean tug and the YAG vessels (old liberty ships) were involved.
After the tug hooked up to the YAG towline, we would pull it back to a good anchorage. The tug would anchor away a few hundred yards from the YAG. The crew on the YAG and a twenty hand working party from the Molala would wash down the YAG for the next shot. We repeated this operation about four times with the YAG.
When we started one of these operations. We the Molala (ATF 106) and one of the YAG's would head to our designated areas. The YAG would run on her own power (a skeleton crew). the Engineer officer (another warrant machinist) and about 10 men.
When we were on locaton, the Molala would take the skeleton crew off the YAG and bring them back to the Molala.
The Yag was under control from radio from us or a plane above. When the plane took over we went to our station and stood by.
After the blast the plane ran the YAG into the fallout areas as required, then back to us. or in our direction.
We would locate the YAG and make up the two.
By the time we would get to the YAG, she would be dead in the water.
If not, we would shut her down.
You can see where the crews of the tugs and YAG picked up tons of radiation. The other tug with the YAG 40 (can't recall # or name) did the same kind of work.
I do know that when we went back through Pearl Harbor we passed radiation tests real well in our crews compartments and living quarters.
I heard that the other tug had a problem. Let their crews get by the de-con station from top-side. People with long hair were in harms way. Plastic work suits are not the best in hot weather. They did help our crew, good for alpha and beta. But not worth a hoot for gamma.
The ATF Tug Molala 106 came through very well as she was ready for Operation Wigwam.
After Wigwam the molala went up to Alaska, back to San Diego then to Japan.
I retired from the Molala and USN March 1957, some 41 years ago at age of 39.
From August, 1949 through March, 1957, although a Chief Machinist CWO, I never stood any Engineering.
I had to qualify and stand Underway Deck Watch Officer and in port OOD qualified in Ship Handling and work a days work in Navigation.
You mentioned that one of the people at the Portland meeting had a diploma type certificate. I remember now that I have one stashed away someplace.
The reason I am sending so much junk is to clarify my position as an Atomic Veteran and Rad/Safe officer.
I was born Jan, 9 1918, Harvey Creek -- Reedsport, Oregon. My father was born at Scotsburg, Oregon, 1883, March 3rd. So you can see that I am a real webb-foot vet.
I received the Castle and Wigwam film and saw a shot of the Molala in both tapes. Not very clear but there.
The film on Wigwam scares the hell out of me. I know we took quite a bash at 8 miles out from center. The YAG was inside of us 3 miles. It is a good thing the welds on all our sea valves, and the valves and lines were in good shape. (Hull fittings.) We could have bad a real problem. The only damage was that all the tools etc. in the engine room were knocked off their hangers. I often wondered how far the Molala bounced out of the water, at least was raised up a few feet.
I finally thought of the light at the top of the H-bomb blast. It was a crown of ultraviolet light.
It had a wavy effect, this was true with all the shots that I saw. The only kind of sound I remember over ships noise was a kind of sizzling sound. There was no big boom that I remembered.
The last I heard about the USS Molala (ATF 106) that she was given to some South American country. and was still going.
Well Keith, I hope you can use some of this data.
Respectfully,
Joseph A. Waggoner
CWO3, USN Ret.
764 N. 10th St.
Coos Bay, OR 97420-1901
Keith Whittle
April 1, 1998
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