Short-wave coverage of the 'Baker' atomic bomb test, the second test of Operation Crossroads. It took place at 8.35am on 25 July 1946, near Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. The bomb was named 'Helen of Bikini' and was detonated 27 meters underwater. The test was intended to allow observation of damage to warships caused by nuclear explosions at sea.
Part 1. Extensive coverage by American joint Army-Navy Taskforce I includes the countdown and actual sound of the explosion. Eighty-eight veteran ships are inside the target array area, and forty-two thousand troops are reported to be watching from observer ships in open sea. A commentator from the USS Mount McKinley describes the cloud of water and radioactive mist, which descended on most of the ships. The water did not rise as expected, rather its spray spread out horizontally. Dimensions of the cloud and water column are given.
Part 2. Reporter Don Bell provides a quick summary of the results of the bomb explosion as viewed from the radar tower on USS Mount McKinley. He says he can't see the Saratoga or other ships as they are obscured by the water vapour. Reporter Don Moseley speaks from the television room, observing that following the blast several waves about five feet high struck Bikini Island. United States ABC radio network programmer in San Francisco connects relay to Cleat Roberts on the radar tower on the USS Mount McKinley. Roberts describes the explosion as he remembers seeing it as "closely packed blue-grey cotton wool". With the vapour cleared approximately eleven minutes after detonation, sixteen ships are visible. Commentary crosses to a broadcast aircraft B29 flying at 7,000 feet North-east of Bikini Island. Jimmy Young of 'King Features' provides a vivid rendering of the atomic explosion and resulting damage from the U.S. vessel the USS Appalachian. The broadcast plane B29 reports on the damage the blast inflicted on the target fleet, where eight ships including USS Saratoga sunk, and eight more were seriously damaged.
Part 3. Relay crosses from broadcast plane to Cleat Roberts, who provides concluding observations on the target array area from the flag ship. He acknowledges the huge Army-Navy survey deployed following the explosion. Cross to ABC radio network in San Francisco and more aerial commentary reporting on the centre of target array area.
Part 4. About an hour after the detonation comes confirmation that the USS Arkansas has sunk, and the target zone is described as appearing like a huge underwater water lily. Samples of radioactive water and air are being collected, and there is mention of underwater microphones and television coverage.
Part 5. Assessment made from the B29 broadcast plane on the target array and target ships broadcast by a commentator in the television room. Cross to Cleat Roberts on the radar tower of USS Mount McKinley, who reports an hour and a half after the atomic explosion, about five miles from the target array area. Cross to New York Times correspondent, William L. Laurence on board the USS Appalachian, "These spectacles I have seen... the most awe inspiring, the most terrifying and at the same time most beautiful sight that any human eyes probably could see on this earth... Too early to judge its strength with earlier bombs...", though he predicts the magnitude was equal to or greater than the explosion over Nagasaki, and closer to the detonation of 50,000 tons of TNT. He gives his account of the explosion and current target array.
[Part 6.] An unidentified reporter on USS McKinley describes the thickening black smoke and fire coming off the USS Independence. Tug boats stream water onto the deck holding airplanes, army vehicles and gas tanks. The relay returns to the NBC, United States (there is radio airwave static). Cleat Roberts reports from the fire control deck of the floating headquarters for congressional, scientific and U.N. observers, the USS Panamint for Army-Navy Task Force I's 'Operation Crossroads' a few hours after the atomic bomb's detonation. Damage to the fleet and the situation in Bikini Lagoon is assessed under the command of Admiral Blandy. Returns relay to ABC radio network in San Francisco. Ralph Howard-Peterson stands by with NBC San Francisco (long pause in radio transmission) and eventually crosses to reporter George Thomas Falster on the Radio Press ship, the USS Appalachian in Bikini Lagoon. The report is just under eight and a half hours after the explosion. He describes the tug boat scene as they stream water onto burning ships. Radio crosses to Ralph Peterson on the flag ship USS Mount McKinley in Bikini Lagoon, less than two miles away from the Nevada. He describes specific damage to the targeted ships and explains the dangerous radioactivity on some ships, which has prompted a message to be sent over the ship's loudspeaker that there's to be no fishing in the lagoon until further notice. Congratulations on the well-executed experiment from Secretary of the Navy, J. V. Forrestal, has been sent to Admiral Blandy.
Part 7. New York Times correspondent, William L. Laurence on board the USS Appalachian continues his account leading up to the atomic explosion. The relay returns to the ABC radio network in San Francisco. There is an unidentified intermediary update on target vessels. Vice Admiral W. H. D. Blandy, Commander of Army Navy Task Force I, speaks from USS Mount McKinley. There is an official report describing the explosion itself, the extent of the damage, and localised effects. He states there was no loss of life, and congratulates all Army and Navy personnel involved.