oon Disappears in Burst of Fire and Water

Chronicle (Levin), 1 July 1946, Page 5

oon Disappears in Burst of Fire and Water

Press Assn.

» - ■ ■■ ■ ■ Some Ships and Atoll Still Exist

, By Telegraph

— Copyright

, Received Monday, 12.45 p.ra. 5; BIKINI, July 1. 63 Tlie lirst atom bomb was dropped over Bikini at 9,59 a,m, (New Zealapd time) - . n-day. A broadcaster stated that the weather was good, with scattering cumulus cloud. Wben the bomb exploded Bikini Lagoon disappeargd amid a burst of fire and water. Tbere was no evidence of a tida! waye. Smoke and cloud quickly mushroomed to 50,000 feet. The official time of the dropping of the bomb was given as 10 a.m. (New Zealand time). The explosion apparently affected the radio transmitter aboard the obserying plane, which became almost unintelligible. However, the broadcaster on shipboard said : "I can still see some ships and Bikini Atoll still exists. 1 can see palm trees." The broadcaster said that the Japanese battleship Ngato, near the centre of the target area, appeared to be on fire.

A broadcast from Kwajalein said that the Super-Fortress, "Dave's Dream," which was carrying the atomic bomb to Bikini, took off at 6.50 a.m. (Bikini time), as the sun burst through for the first time. As Major Woodro.w Swancutt took off with the deadly missile, more than seventy other planes, inciuding drones, were already airborne. During the night meteorologists observed the wind by sending up balloons with elecfric lanterns. It was anticipated that the good weather would continue for about thirty-six hours. A large truck hauled the fearsome bomb, covered by canvas, to the ramp for loading aboard the Super-Fortress, whose crew then had their first lcok at the missile. All fcraffic was prohibiied as the bomb moved slowly along the two-mile route to the bomber. As a precaution against radio-actiye jlangers, all transr Pacific air services between Guam and Honolulu have beep halted during the test. The grounding will be effective for at least twelve hours following the detonation of the bomb, and will be lifted only when ihe two Super-Fortress cloudr chasers report the all clear.