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

169 Tony Richardson, the baby-faced mathematician: The details of Richardson's actions on March 15, 1966, come from Tony Richardson, diary, March 15 to April 7, 1966 (author's collection), and Tony Richardson interview, October 31, 2007.

169 “Paco de la Bomba”: Lewis, One of Our H-Bombs, p. 194.

170 His response to the Cyrus Vance committee:Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, February 15, 1967, vol. 1, part I, chap. 2, pp. 56–59.

170 They were supposed to get a new transponder: Ibid., pp. 53–54; author's interview with Brad Mooney, March 30, 2007.

170 That day Mac McCamis: McCamis, “‘Captain Hook's’ Hunt,” p. 25.

170 because today was his son's birthday: Ibid.

170 Wilson saw the track:Alvin's discovery of the parachute on March 15 is detailed in ibid.; author's interviews with Marvin McCamis, January 31, 2003, and Art Bartlett, February 5, 2007; Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 1, part I, chap. 2, pp. 59–60. In his interview, McCamis said the code word was “bent nail,” but Navy sources say it was “instrument panel.” 171 “We found a parachute”: Kaharl, Water Baby, p. 74. The reel-to-reel audiotape for the March 15, 1966, dive (Dive 128) is missing from the WHOI archives. However, the author viewed photographs taken by the pilots on this dive.

171 “Had a hell of a time”: Marvin McCamis interview, January 31, 2003.

171 the USSAlbanyhad arrived: Lewis, One of Our H-Bombs, p. 209; Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 1, part I, chap. 2, pp. 59–60.

171 Deep below the surface: Marvin McCamis interview, January 31, 2003; Art Bartlett interview, February 5, 2007; Kaharl, Water Baby, p. 76.

172 the men discussed what to do: Art Bartlett interview, February 5, 2007.

172Alvincould remain submerged for twenty-four hours: Everett S. Allen, “Research Submarine Alvin,” U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, April 1964, p. 138.

172 Mooney suggested sendingAluminautdown: Brad Mooney interview, March 30, 2007.

173 “I can fly my F4s”: George Martin interview, May 9, 2007.

173 The sub picked up a transponder: E-mail, Red Moody to author, December 14, 2007.

173 got a quick battery charge: Art Markel interview, September 25, 2006.

173 “He thought we were a bunch”: Ibid.

173 TheAlvincrew sat in the dark: McCamis, “‘Captain Hook's’ Hunt,” p. 25.

173 “It was beautiful”: Quoted in Lewis, One of Our H-Bombs, p. 208.

173 cautiously parking herself about twenty-five yards:Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol.

1, part I, chap. 2, p. 66.

173Alvinsurfaced after ten hours: Ibid.

173 entered the well deck at 8:12: Deck logs of the USS Fort Snelling, March 15, 1966 (NARA).

173 TheAlvincrew sent their photographs:Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 1, part I, chap. 2, pp. 66, 69–70.

173 Mac McCamis was outraged: McCamis, “‘Captain Hook's’ Hunt,” p. 25.

173 “How do you know”: Quoted in Kaharl, Water Baby, p. 77.

173 “What else”: Ibid.

173 “In all my life”: McCamis, “‘Captain Hook's’ Hunt,” p. 25.

174 Admiral Guest wrote a situation report: Cable, CTF Sixty-five to REUCW/CNO, “Sitrep Seventy-nine,” March 16, 1966 (LBJ).

174 The other memo:Aircraft Salvops Med, Final Report, vol. 1, part I, chap. 2, p. 67.

174 Robert Sproull, the chair of the Cyrus Vance committee: Robert Sproull interview, May 11, 2007.

174 That morning in Rota: E-mail, Red Moody to author, December 19, 2007.

174 That afternoon in Spain: Tony Richardson, diary, March 15 to April 7, 1966 (author's collection); author's interviews with Tony Richardson, October 31, 2007, and John Bruce, August 17, 2006.