The Day We Lost the H-Bomb: Cold War, Hot Nukes, and the Worst Nuclear Weapons Disaster in History

119 one morning, Joe Ramirez stopped by: The story of Maydew's meeting with Simó comes from Maydew, America's Lost H-Bomb, pp. 55–58, and author's interview with Joe Ramirez, January 27, 2007. See also SAC Historical Study #109, p. 45; and “Staff Study by Systems Analysis Team of Search Operations,” February 7, 1966 (document no. SAC200118390000, Secret, NNSA, FOIA), pp. 11–14. “Staff Study” says the meeting took place on February 2, not February 3, as Maydew states in his book.

120 “Before I left the mayor's office”: Randall Maydew, oral history, conducted by Necah Furman, December 1991, p. 10.

120 By the time Maydew reported: Maydew was part of a Systems Analysis Team that included experts from Sandia, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and Elgin Air Force Base, and was assisted by U.S. Air Force, Atomic Energy Commission, and Los Alamos personnel. Maydew left numerous descriptions of his role in Palomares, making it possible to tell the Systems Analysis Team's story from his point of view. The author refers to the team as “Maydew's team” or “the ballistics experts” to avoid confusion with TAG and the other groups mentioned in the book.

120 In their calculations: The Maydew team's conclusions are from “Staff Study of Systems Analysis Team,” February 7, 1966 (NNSA); Memo, Delmar E. Wilson to SAC (Gen. John D. Ryan), “Search Operations, Palomares, Spain,” February 13, 1966 (DOD, FOIA); SAC Historical Study #109, p. 49.

121 It is unclear whether Admiral Guest: Guest's reaction to the Systems Analysis Team report is in Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 1, part I, chap. 2, pp. 36–38. On page 37 it states, “Commander Task Force 65 was skeptical of the conclusions of this Sandia group and did not entirely accept their recommendations.”

121 On February 7, the USSPinnacleagain:Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 1, part I, chap. 2, pp. 38–39.

121 A few days later, Red Moody: Red Moody interview, November 7, 2006.

121 “Slick Willie”: The description of Mac's relationship with Val Wilson comes chiefly from the author's interviews with Chester Porembski, November 17, 2006, and John Porteous, September 6, 2006.

122 Alvin was trapped on the water's surface:Alvin's arrival in Palomares and the storm are discussed in Aircraft Salvops Med, Interim Report, p. C5; Memo, W. O. Rainnie to Office of Naval Research, “Quarterly Informal Letter,” June 10, 1966, p. 3; and Letter, Lewis Melson to Folks, February 12, 1966 (author's collection).

122 The Plymouth Rock was a type of vessel: The description of a landing ship dock comes from the author's visit to the USS Ashland (LSD 48) on September 29, 2006.

122 “We rushed out onto the main deck”: Letter, Lewis Melson to Folks, February 12, 1966 (author's collection).

123 The OBSS: The description of the OBSS comes from Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 1, part I, chap. 2, pp. 42–43; Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 4, appendix B, pp. 57–62; SAC Historical Study #109, pp. 119–120; and Red Moody interview, July 17, 2007.

124 The first to arrive was Deep Jeep:Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 4, appendix B, pp. 30–34; Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 1, part I, chap. 2, p. 29; W. M. Place et al., Palomares Summary Report (Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.: Field Command, Defense Nuclear Agency, Technology and Analysis Directorate, 1975), p. 106.

124 Another sub, calledCubmarine: Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 4, appendix B, pp. 25–29.

124 “Alvin was decidedly mongrel”: Kaharl, Water Baby, p. 42.

124 it reminded people of a fishing lure: Ibid., p. 46.

124 “When people see it”: Ibid., p. 83.

124 At Alvin's core: The description of Alvin comes from ibid., pp. 42–43; Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 4, appendix B, pp. 12–18; Everett S. Allen, “Research Submarine Alvin,” U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, April 1964, pp. 138–140. The author toured Alvin on July 2, 2007.