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Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION Commander, JTP-132, are circulated for the information of the DISTRIBUTION COPY NO. Military Application ..11 - 12 When separated from enclosures Security 13 handle this document as.,....... Santa Fe Operat iOnS 14 - 1.6 UNCLASSIFIED
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I have just returned from Eniwetok where, accompanied by mY .Staff Engineer and Logistics Officer, 1 inspected in detail the typhoon damage on Eniwetok Island. The major damage was caused by heavy seas which in many places swept completely across the island. The black top road which extended on the ocean side of the air strip was completely destroyed and washed away. This will have to be replaced. Thp cargo pier was severely damaged and requires immediate repair. A Navy Search and Rescue Boat (AVR Crash,Boat) broke away from its moorings and was driven ashore. Although the engines and electronics gear were saved, the boat itwlf is beyond repair. Three wooden buildings, Senior Air Force Officers' Quarters, Garrison Commanders' Quarters, and the Officers' Club were undermined by the waves, porches destroyed, and buildings extensively damaged. There was a considerable amount of damage of a relatively minor nature such as power and water main washouts along the lagoon road, some ‘ damage to metal buildings due to large boulders being washed * against them and a number of tents .with frames and bases completely destroyed, Large amounts of sand, large rocks, and debris were deposited over most of the island. DOEARCHlV= On Parry Island the damage was negligible due to several reasons. The island is much higher, the reef is apparently wider, and the waves struck it at an oblique angle rather than square on. There were no serious injuries to persons which I attribute to the protection afforded by the Pacific-ty_pe corrugated aluminum buildings which are ideal for this locality due to their strength and suitability for the hot humid climate. I could see no evidence anywhere of any wind damage except to tents. This could be expected because most of them were rather old and rotted. It was not possible to take tents down from their frames before the storm. The following typhoon damage should be repaired as early as practicable. I am submitting details and cost esttictes sepzrztely. This material contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the manaing of the espionage laws, Title 19, U.S.C., Sec. 793 and ?g$, the transmission or revelation $$$;hich in any manner to an unauthorized person '
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able condition at once as this facility is required constantly In ccnnection with unloading cargo from ships. Mr. Lewis, the Resident AEC Representative, has taken action to secure authority from SF00 to will require replacement as I feel sure it will not withstand another heavy sea. . ‘IL A new road will be required to replace the _. road along the ocean side of the air strip. This . should be-located on higher ground to afford better ‘i protection from the sea and to reduce the cost of . c. The officers' quarters and club located in a row on the ocean side were partially undermined by the sea. Repairs of these-buildings are already underway with troop labor, and their rehabilitation offers no serious problem except that a retaining wall must be built in order to provide a protected fill in front of the buil.dings, otherwise these buildings may be washed away by the next high seas. d _ The clean-up of &e island and repair Of minor'damage is progressing in good shape and the troops have already accomplished much. With the assistance which we have received from Mr. Lewis and from Holmes and Narver, we should have all Of this ingood shape within a few weeks. ~oE~CX-IIV~ In addition to the repair of typhoon damage, there are a number of items which I consider essential prior to the next operations and have no relation to typhoon damage. I am having estimates made covering the cost of these and will submit requirements for Eniwetok Island, including the typhoon damage requirements mentioned above, in one package at an early date. These essential additional requirements are: a, A recreation building for the troops which will include space for Day Room, Reading and Writing Room, Game Room, Soda Fountain, Library, and Red Cross office. This has been badly needed for some time as two quonset huts previously used have been condemned and will be demolished shortly, I consider this a most important b. Three warehouses to replace presently unserviceable storage facilities and provide additional facilities which have been needed for some time. We have many supplies stored under canvas covered wooden frames, which is quite unsatisfactory. These three storage buildings should be of the type recently constructed on Parry Island, approximately 125' x 40'. c. Rehabilitation of the POL Storage Farm. This will require a detailed examination as I am not too sure exactly what is needed. d. Provision of one small Pacific-type building to house the Military Police headquarters which IS now in an old quonset hut which soon must be condemned.
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Six (6) Pacific-type metal buildings Enlwetok garrison. These need not have latrines Installed in them as they can be placed in tent areas now serviced by latrines already constructed. . Troops' located for 12 months in this exposed area in a tropical climate are entitled to permanent-type . barracks of the Pacific-type. The additional garrison required dwing operational-perlods will which consists of six (6) generator units with a total of 738 KW capacity is entirely insufficient _ even for current needs. On Parry Island, at present,. there Is a power plant which duplicates the Eniwetok . Plant but in addition there is another plant which has --three 1250 KVA generator units, making a total Power capacity of 4538 WA, At the present time Parry is using only one of the l25O KVA generators to supply _ their entire power needs.: I will submit a separate recommendation that three small generators be removed from the Parry Island plant and installed in the Enfi:eto_kplant where space is now available. DOEARC@= On my return trip froi Eniwetok, I flew over Bikini at low altitude, Part of the causeway, which was reported washed Out, has apparently already been repaired. I was quite impressed with the progress that has been made on ccnstruction of the air strip which I unde&tand will be completed within the next 45 to 60 days. When completed, this strip will greatly facilitate operations In the area for we have on Eniwetok now four (4) C-47s which can be used for transporting cargo and personnel from Eniwetok to Bikini. The AEC and contractor person&l at Eniwetok, Particularly Cooperative in rendering assistance to military personnel on Eniwetok Island, -and are making possible the repair of typhoon damage in a minimum of time. This letter is in the nature of an informative report to you and other interested AEC officials. Official request for authority for the projects enumerated above will be submitted in a separate communication with cost estimates. Kajar General, USA Joint Task Force 132
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5. On Parry Island there is a new power .plant which haa three 1250 KVA Diesel driven generator units, and the old power ! plant which is a duplicate of the Eniwetok plant containing 6 I small Diesel-driven units making the total island power capacity 8 4538 KVA. During my recent visit one 1250 KVA unit was_ carrying . . driven generator units, approximately 122 macapacity each, be _ k removed from the old .Parry Island plant and.be. installed in the c .Eniwetok Island plant where sufficient space is available without Major General, USA - Joint Task Force 132