This is quite something. During the 1950’s, the US conducted various atomic tests. Some of those took place underwater, and this archive footage shows the raw power of atomic energy.

Pat Bradley was one of the cameramen who documented the US atomic tests during that time, codenamed the Wahoo and Umbrella underwater explosions.

He narrates this short clip that is part of a new HD version of Atomic Filmakers— Hollywood’s Top Secret Film Studio.

He says that the explosions were more amazing than an atmospheric nuclear explosion. This is his account of what it was like watching those explosions, from just 4km away.

The massive wall of that was generated by the explosion, kept advancing toward the island and eventually covered the whole island. They saved themselves by quickly climbing up some palm trees carrying their heavy film camera equipment.

The Wahoo underwater nuclear test happened on May 16, 1958, and the Umbrella exploded on June 8, 1958.

Check out more footage on the Atom Central website.

Thanks Dean D!

[Source: Atom Central]