(b) All mooring buoys and channel markers were removed.
(c) All boats and lighters available to the enemy were sunk adjacent to quays, wharves, and piers.
(d) Wharf cranes and debris were blown into channels alongside wharves and quays. (See figs. [49] through [53].)
15. OPERATIONS OF PORT REPAIR SHIP IN A CAPTURED PORT. a. General. The port commander is responsible for the restoration of the port’s facilities. He orders surveys made of the extent and nature of the damage and from them determines what work is to be done and who is to do it, sets priorities, and estimates time, personnel, materials, and equipment required. Before actual repairs can be started, the following preparatory work usually has to be done by Army and Navy units:
(1) Extinguish fires and demolish unsafe structures.
(2) Sweep mines.
(3) Remove blockships.
(4) Remove booms and torpedo nets.
(5) Neutralize land mines and booby traps.
(6) Install AA and other protective works.
(7) Remove debris in water and on quays.
(8) Remove obstructions from exits to wharf areas.
Figure 50. Masts of sunken freighter in harbor. The enemy did a systematic job of sinking ships to block the harbor as much as possible.
Figure 51. Sunken ships and bomb-wrecked quays give some idea of the huge task of repair and construction in restoring the port to usefulness.