13334 OPERATION CROSSROADS ATOMIC BOMB TEST SYLMAR EARTHQUAKE DE-59 USS FOSS SUNK BY TORPEDO

This reel of footage contains various segments.

First at :08:00, is raw aerial footage of the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. This includes both the Able and Baker tests. Operation Crossroads was a pair of nuclear weapon tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll in mid-1946. They were the first nuclear weapon tests since Trinity in July 1945, and the first detonations of nuclear devices since the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. The purpose of the tests was to investigate the effect of nuclear weapons on warships.

At 8:44, is footage of the aftermath of the 1971 San Fernando earthquake (also known as the Sylmar earthquake). This quake occurred in the early morning of February 9 in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in southern California. The unanticipated thrust earthquake had a magnitude of 6.5 on the Ms scale, and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). The event was one in a series that affected the Los Angeles area in the late 20th century. Damage was locally severe in the northern San Fernando Valley and surface faulting was extensive to the south of the epicenter in the mountains, as well as urban settings along city streets and neighborhoods. Uplift and other effects affected private homes and businesses.

At 14:45, the USS Foss (DE-59), a Buckley-class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, is shown being sunk in a live fire exercise. The date was Sept. 6, 1966. The ship was a target off the California coast near San Diego, torpedoed with a Mark 16 shot by USS Sabalo (SS 302).

At 20:45, the film shows aftermath of a WWII ship being sunk, with survivors being rescued from the water at 20:55.

At 21:05 more sailors are rescued in a lifeboat from the burning ship. At 21:26 a Polaris type SSBN submarine is shown at sea blowing its tanks and diving

At 23:25 footage shows various aircraft including an EA-6B Prowler and at 23:31 a B-52 in flight with contrail. At 24:13 early warning radar is shown rotating. At 25:03 a Prowler lands on the flight deck. At 25:09 a burned-out merchant ship is shown listing. At 26:51 another ship is sunk by torpedo.

At 28:55 footage that appears to be from a U.S. aircraft carrier at sea. At 29:35 Air Group Three (based on USS Yorktown in 1942) is shown putting up Japanese flags to represent kills. At 29:41 a kamikaze hits the carrier just aft of the island. At 30:12 the carrier is seen firing anti-aircraft skyward. At 30:36 massive fires are seen on the carrier deck. At 31:50 a body is moved by crew. At 33:50 various WWII U.S. Navy fighter and attack aircraft are shown.

At 34:30 another view of the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb test is shown with a mushroom cloud.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com

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