Shangri La (CV 38) - Naval Cruise Book

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Drone view - Baker Day. malignant rays spread death and suffering, perhaps even to unborn generations through mutations carried in recessive genes. Like the invention of rifled gun barrels, steam engines, airplanes, bombs, and guided missiles, the Atomic Bomb has been heralded as the death knell of modern navies. Just as Army bombers' limited success in sinking the defense- less, immobile hulk of the battleship Washz'n1gton in the early 1920's launched the battleship vs. aircraft debate, so the atomic argument Will be heard from dogmatic Warriors of either school. As in most arguments, we must seek the truth on the middle ground. World War Il proved that battleships could be sunk by aerial bombs, but the United States lost not a single battleship after the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor! Designers minimized the danger in plans for the South Dalkoz'a's and Iotucfs While task force commanders risked their units only under friendly air cover. The only economic use of atomic warfare against naval units is surprise attacks on heavy forces caught in conined anchorages or berths. Atomic Bombs, if used at all, Will more likely be concentrated on strategic industrial plants in

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N i 1 il 1 . E -I if 1 iii Scrubbing down target ship to clear radioactive particles. about two more weeks. Only twenty-four rats were still alive by the middle of August, The tests will have many far-reaching effects on naval design and tactics. Heavy superstructural damage in the Able Day blast led many observers to favor the submarine as an answer to the Atomic Bomb, for little or no hull damage was inflicted on ships designed to withstand any abnormal pressures. Since water is only very slightly compressible it is doubtful if the aerial explosion would be felt at a normal cruising depth of 45-90 feet. However, an underwater explo- sion has quite another effect-diving operations in the murky lagoon have dis- closed evid.ence of the terrific force exerted on hulls in the danger area. The Arkansas' heavy belt line is ripped from stem to stern, the submarines Apogon, Skipjack, and Pifotfish lie at the bottom of the lagoon with several compart- ments punctured and flooded. If conclusive proof of the Atomic Bomb's power were needed, Operation Crossroads has certainly provided it. It has succeeded in destroying, damaging, or immobilizing more ships in a single blast than were lost in the classic Battle of Jutland, thirty years before. As a destructive force it exceeds any explosive known to man, its heat surpasses anything this side of the mother sun, and its

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