Bikini Tests Reviewed

Chronicle (Levin), 4 July 1946, Page 5

Bikini Tests Reviewed

Press Assn.-

frightening aspects

By Telegraph

-Copyright

Keeeived Wednesday, 7 p.m. BIKINJL, July 3. "Early estimates- by scientists f'rom the joint task force have determined that the bomb dropped at Bikini was a perfectly normal i\agasaki-type bomb. While it was somewhat less powerful than the bomb of that type which exploded over Nagasaki, it was more powerful than the bomb of that type which expioded over New Alexico, and more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, which killed 80,000 persons." That statement was made by Admiral Blandy aboard the Mount AIcKinley. MIt is awe-inspiring and frightful to think that one bomb could j wreak such terrific and widospread havoc," wfites the Ausjtralian Associated Press speeial correspondent (Mr. E. W. McAlpine). "Some of the ships, it is true, have only the paint scorehed, but this is perhaps the most frightening aspect of the xvhole operatiqn. Scientists say that the heat generated by the bomb lasts only a fraction of a second, but in that fraction of a second all life within the direet path of the sweep must surely have died. Although the intensity of the heat and the power of the blasts from the bomb can hardly be exaggerated, it is subject to the same freaks observed in bomb hlasts during the war. One ship suffered heavy dama'ge, while another nearer to the centre of the explosion escaped completely, and still another nearly a mile away had its superstructure torn and t\vistod."