Russians Watched H-Bomb Hunt

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31004, 9 March 1966, Page 13

Russians Watched H-Bomb Hunt

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) PALOMARES, March 8. A Soviet trawler loaded with electronic gear was an unwelcome visitor on the scene of the United States Navy’s search for a missing unarmed hydrogen bomb off the Spanish coast, last week, the “New York Times” news sendee reported.

Sources at the search operation headquarters at Palomares Beach revealed today that the trawler spent two weeks, between February 15 and March 2, observing the hunt and presumably eavesdropping with sensitive devices. As the vast search operation entered its eighth week, officials said today that a tailplate from the bomb had been found. Not New Clue They hastened to add that it offered no new real clue as I to the weapon’s whereabouts. The Soviet trawler came from its usual observation station off the United States submarine base at Rota, on Spain's Atlantic coast. It was reported to have anchored on February 15. about eight miles from the Palomares area. i The United States Navy and

- Air Force kept the trawler - under close surveillance. f The Soviet ship left last i Wednesday, heading in a 5 south-eastern direction. 3