The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1951-03-17

from an atom bomb exploded be-
meath Puget Sound?s
Assuming the, depth of the blast
to be 100 feet. tidal wave effect
would result that could cause seri-
Gus damage to harbor installations.
What about radiation-from
a saltwater burst?s
There would be "fall-out' of a.
tonic rain and mist-definitely ra-
dioactive. At Bikini, this rain and
mist continued to fall for about one
hour. In salt water, the various
chemical elements become radio
active and these are present in the
rain or mist. This radiation is of
the beta" type. It does not have
the penetrating power of gamma"
radiation but. like fog, its ability to
sneak through cracks and crannies
makes it difficult to keep OUT.
We've got to stay out of this atomic
rain and mist. And we've got to do
everything in our power to keep this
radioactive moisture out of the
home-blankets over broken win
dows and the like.
what about the third type Of
explosion-the ground burst?"
A ground burst is caused. by an
atom bomb exploding at ground le-
vel. This type of explosion is less
effective than the air burst and the
water burst This IS the type of
explosion, though, that does produce
radicactivity in the ground and in
the buildings over considerable
area. Particles of the bomb materi-
al itself would be driven into the
arth. sThis type of radiation lasts
for 4 great period of time.
How is Seattle's Civil Defense
Organization preparing to meet
these conditions?v
Seattle was one of the three cities
in the United States to undergo a
hypothetical atom bomb test last
summer. We took it seriously. We
endeavored to simulate the condi-
lions as we thought they might ex-
list. For one whole month we ga
hered and studied data on the atom
bomb effects in Japan. We inven-
toried supplies of equipment, mater
ial, personnel and facilities. Every
thing we thought we might need
was considered, weighed and studied
with care-not only in Seattle, but
in neighboring cities as well-such
as Tacoma and Everett. For one
week our board met each day in a
Control Center, and work.
I'd out On paper answers to the pro-
olems presented These were in the
'orm of reports. The week follow
ng the National Security Resources
Board held what was called a "cri-
ique" in Seattle.
This was to consider our resorts.
Some 300 persons attended. The
transcript of this week-long session
makes a volume two inches thick
ages mimeographed on both sides.
This is our Civil Defense Plan and
Program. There have been no de-
'elopments since that time requiring
my basic changes. Now we are hard
u it, activating both plan and pro-
ram.
Doesn't it all boil down to the
fact that even deal as big as Sc
attIe's Civil Defense is going to de-
pend on the average little guy'?'i
The whole program depends on
he individual. First, we all need
o seek for and get authentic infor-
nation on the subject. Then, all
reparations for our protection-we
lust do ourselves. OF course, we are
II going to have to hold ourselves
readiness to volunteer for duty
nth the Civil Defense Corp when
re are called on. On the score of
citing information, copies of the
fficial booklet entitled, Survival
'nder Atomic Attack, are available
local book stores and newstands.
hey are also available from the
government Printing Office, WASH
lgton, D. c.. at ten cents per copy.