OPERATION CROSSROADS. U.S.S. PENSACOLA (CA24). TEST BAKER. VOLUME 1

Abstract

The shallow underwater detonation of the atom bomb had three major effects: An underwater pressure and shock wave; an air pressure and shock wave, and radioactive contamination of a large area. The effect of the underwater waves were extremely great over a large area. The damage done to the underwater hull and the main propulsion machinery was such as to immobilize the ship and to materially reduce its seaworthiness. The effect of the air waves were not as pronounced as the same waves of Test A. However, the effect on gunnery, ship control and personnel was such as to substantially reduce the efficiency of these elements. The radiologically contaminated water which covered the entire ship and in some cases penetrated below decks was the most significant factor. Radioactive particles penetrated the paint and porous materials and remained with great tenacity despite measures taken to decontaminate. The high radioactivity has prevented reboarding for a period of 30 days at the time of this writing. (Author)

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1947
Accession Number
AD0367456

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammunition
  • Blast
  • Connectors
  • Control Systems
  • Damage
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Electron Tubes
  • Electronic Equipment
  • Feed Pumps
  • Fire Control Systems
  • Measurement
  • Navy
  • Projectiles
  • Range Finders
  • Storage Batteries
  • Ventilation Ducts

Readers

  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.
  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design