George G. Wilson
From: LST360@webtv.net (George G.)
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com, LST360@webtv.net
Subject: Tests:
Dear Sir:
I was a seaman first class, assigned to the USS Presque Isle
APB44, meaning Amphibious Personnel Barracks.
We set sail from Pearl Harbor in May, and arrived Bikini the last
week of May, after stops at Eniwetok and Kwajalein to pick up
civilian personnel,we were told not to ask any questions of them, and
in general to stay away from them, except in the line of duty, this held
true on other trips we made also.
Over the course of the next few weeks, we made several trips back
and forth to Eniwetok and Kwajalein, always to pick up civilians or
Army and Navy personnel, the rest of the time we were moored close to
the MT. McKinley, did not have much to do except chip and paint, however I
did get to visit the Prinz Eugen & the Nagato & also that grand old
lady the USS Saratoga, plus most of the capital ships.
When the Able shot took place we were about 8 to 10 miles away, we
turned away from the blast, when we turned around, the cloud was already
high in the sky, but the pink and gray color at or near the base was a
sight I'll never forget, it was beautiful and evil at the same time, we
returned to the lagoon late afternoon, & moored in the same spot. Not much
damage to be seen at first, a few fires, and black smudges on some ships.
The Baker shot started out very interesting, we had a near collision
with the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5, as a result, we were only 7 miles from
ground zero ( according to QM on watch ) again we turned our
backs, however I was on the helm & got glasses to wear, don't remember a
flash, but when we were allowed to look it was AWESOME, that Huge dome, at
the time I did not know it was water!!!
We entered the lagoon again late in the day, saw much damage this
time, the Sara was sinking, the Nagato had a list, the Nevada looked ok at
first glance, as did many of the test ships.
The next day we were taken to a DD I think it was number 408, and told
to wash it down, my group washed down the bow section, VERY hot work, I
have no idea what we were doing, but we did it most of the day. We did
this for two days, we were NEVER checked for radiation, there were a
number of civilians with Gieger counters, going over all parts of the
ship, we were using water right from the lagoon, I heard one officer say
"that one turn of the tide would cleanse the lagoon.
My ship did have two contamination areas, one by the bow doors and
forecastle the other was by the starboard evaporator, the next day the
signs were gone.
We stayed about a week or ten days more, then returned to Pearl. I was
reasigned to NAD Guam.
I am now nearing 72, have not had any health problems, only by the
grace of God, and NO thanks to the Navy.
George G. Wilson
E-Mail LST360@webtv.net
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