Manhattan District History; Book VIII - Los Alamos Project (Y); Volume 3 - Auxiliary activities; Chapter 2 - Project Camel (redacted)

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as defined In the Restr ic tedDa ta Energy Act of d is c lo s u re to any

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Project Camel was a subsidiary project of the Manhattan Engineer District, It was financed through an GSRD contract with the California Institute of Technology* The California Institute m m already engaged in similar tsar emergency development work in cooperation with the ifavy. This Chapter presents a general description of the scope of Project Camel* The work, carried out under great pressure, was subject to general coordination between Dr* Oppenhelaer of Los Labora tories and Dr. Lauritson of GST# This close personal relation assured security, unity of research effort and integration with the Los Alamos objective, A great deal of the effort expended under froject Caasi m s insurance against accident, Jfer failure, of similar work highly central ized at Los Alamos, la addition# hosever, there neve assigned to Fro* jeet Camel several research, development and testing problems in sup* Hot the least contribution of the Caesl Project m s in procureaent# where the engineering ability of its staff, t«@ether with contacts in the industrial production field in the southern California area, sere of tremendous importance to the success of tbs final product* This chapter covers the history of Project Camel from its inception to the termination and transfer of its activities after the cessation of hostilities, as described in Section S*

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TABLS OF CONTENTS 1-5* Evanta Leading to tho Organization of SBCTIOB a - OROASIZATIOH OF gag PgQJSCt 2-5* Soope of the Work 2,9

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SECTION 5 - FLIGHT A ® STATIC TESTS 5-7. Change in Organisation 2*39 SECTION 6 * PRODUCTION AND PHQCUREJEHT

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7-3* Typo of Construction 2.45 ,.<7-5* Responsibility and Organization 2.46 3-2* Decision to Terminate 2.55 3-3. Transfer of Peraoawol 2*56 8-4. Coapletion of Construction 2*56 8-5. Transfer of Techniques 2.56 8-6* Disposition of Records and Materials 2.57

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9-5* Constraction at Pasadena 2.60 10-2, Joint Responsibility of MED, the Navy and Gif 2,62 10-5. Pasadena Branch Gfflee 2.63 20-7. Assignment of Personnel 2,64. 10-9. Concealment of Infonmticm 2.64 A. Photographs and Drawing

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factor# in keeping abreast of the difficult schedule# and v»a resulting c. In order not to place too much information in the hand# of any on# individual or firm, a practice had been instituted of distributing order# for the simplest possible component# among a# many the manufacture1e problem was on# then of adapting hi# personnel and equipment to the comparatively mall seal# production# to very exacting Solution# of the problem# which naturally ares# were difficult to obtain in a short tim#, since they were relayed from the Lo# Angeles procure* ment office to Site Y, and back again* Further, * small change from the drawing or specification which wa# not apparent or appeared unimportant to the manufacturer could not b# discovered until the order "*# received and tested at to# Alamo## X# discover errors, advise the manufacturer of necessary changes and agree on method# by which corrections might be effeoted were time consuming operations which were eliminating all possibility of adherence to schedules* the work on which the La* Alamo# laboratory would need assistance* These fact# were recognised by the University of California and were made known to fir# Vanncover Bush, Chairman, OSRD. e. Previous to this time, the California Institute of Technology under Contract OJBMsr 1+16 with the OSRD had independently carried the develojasent of rookets to a point where the Savy had taken

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an active Interest in their use* Pending the construction of large production facilities by the Navy, OIT had been induced to undertake the experimental production of rockets as a part of its contract* For this purpose, the Havy had transferred large amounts of money to the OSED, as a result of whioh CIS had developed extensive facilities for the procure ment, production and inspection of metal and explosive rocket components* Since the peak of Clf*e program had been reached by the fall of lyUkt end the Kavy’s facilities were being put into operation, It was apparent that the Cl* rocket organization and facilities could be cf tremendous assistance to the Quiversity of California in the development and pro* cureaent of specialised equipment and fabricated parts required for the atomic bomb* It was also apparent that this organisation, because of its experience with explosives end related fields In rocket development, was la a position to provide a great deal of “know haw" in the solution of problems with whioh the &os Alamos laboratory was faced*

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Director of Research for Contract OEHsr 2*18, was invited to visit !*>• Alamos In November l$t& to discuss the problems with whloh Site If was confronted* As a result of this visit* Dr* Qppeaheimer outlined ia a letter to Dr* Bush, on Sovember 21, 19M m the extent and manner in whioh the collaboration of Clt could be utilised and requested that necessary arrangements be effected toward that end (Appendix JML)* by the Havy to the MBD# and In charge of the Ordnance Division at Los Alamos, fell the task of obtaining the agreement of the parties concern resulted ia the transfer of 11,000,000 to contract QEMsr i<18 for initia there was an immediate reaction* however# by the Bureau of Ordnance of the Bfevy Department, upon receipt of Inform tlonfrom CIT that it pro posed to undertake work on another project of considerable magnitude* the tfavy was greatly concerned over the potential effect of the special project on its program for rocket development and production* i*hereas the . DSHD and CIT had been committed to a reduction la the program of rocket production as Kavy facilities became available, there remained problame connected with the improvement of rocket performance, and develo|aaeat of new types# which the lavy felt required the continued aotiva partici pation of top CIS personnel* The matter m s resolved in a series of

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discussions by Admiral Parsons with Admiral Hussey, Chief of tha Bureau of Ordnance, and other* In the Navy Department, and, at a con ference on 30 December 19^ 4.in Pasadena, California, reported la a Chairman, HDRC, the necessary agreement* on how the now project could Coordinator of Research and Development for the Havy, formally re jeet Camel at CIT and Inyoksrn, under the jurisdiction of the Savy De partment* Fund* were te be furnished by the 0SRB and it was proposed "that a new contract be established with California Institute of Technology rather than conduct this work under contract OSMsr 1*18", d# la accordance with the desires of CIT, and for securi Stewart, Bxeeutive Secretary, 0SR3, on 2$ January 1&5, to carry on the work of Project Camel under Contract OEMsr 413 (Appendix B-5J* Formal arrangement* for construction of Projeot Camel faoilitio* at Inyokero by the Navy Department were confirmed on 27 Officer for the SBSD# to Capt* Hanson, Bureau of Yards and Docks (Appendix 9-6)0 This agreement m s later Modified to provide for the transfer of MED funds to the Bureau of Dock* through the Bureau of Ordnance rather than directly a* previously agreed* f* Thereafter contract policy and administrative and fiscal matters were handlsd directly between Professor E, C* Watson, Official

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Investigator for the oontraot, representing CIT, and Drs* Bovde, Chairman of NDRC*s Special Committee,and Irwin Stewart, Executive sion 3, NDRC, with office* at CIT for assistance to CIT in the admini stration of the contract, was designated Assistant Scientific Officer to Dr* Bsvde, with responsibility for approval of expenditure* In connection with Project Camel# permitting liaison between the Los Alamo* laboratory and the UDEC in regard to Gif** oontraot. Committee", provided necessary liaison between CIT and Lee Alamo* on Committee, furnished necessary liaison with both the Army and Savy, particularly in matter* requiring the assistance of either* S* Responsibility for integration of the faoilitie* and participation of Naval personnel of the Bureau of Ordnance of th* Navy Department at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, Inyokern* California, with Project Camel wa* delegated to Captain S, 3, Burrough, US®, Commanding Officer* Bureau of Yard* and Dock* activities at SOTS, Xnyokern, were under the direction of Commodore L* H* Sfoellor, DSN, Officer In Charge of Construction*

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a* Thus, the collaboration of 01? wa» effected in the work connected with the deYelopmant of the atonic bomb* Ia early December l9t& certain key personnel of the CSX organisation were in vited to Lot Alamos for briefing and discussion of the problems which were faced* Out of these oonferenees grew the realisation that there were, in some eases, problems for whioh responsibility could be assign ed to GIT in their entirety and other cases in whioh parallel programs with Site t and others could he undertaken by Clf* In addition it was obvious that CIT was in an excellent position to provide some data on the assembly, handling and bellistios of the bomb under field conditions# b# In the consideration of the factors involved in the use of atomie bombs, it was neoeseary to carry out programs of tests and training with planes modified to carry them* Arrangements between OXf and SOTS proved valuable for this work assignment* It mat essential, that a training unit be developed whioh would approximate the weight, else and ballistic characteristics of the final implosion bomb as olosely as preliminary estimates would permit* This problem was assigned to Clt in its entirety* o* Meanwhile, work was to proceed with great urgency on development of certain components of the bomb# In this connection Cl? was to render assistance in the design, production and test of the metal and explosive components# The work of CIT in the development of the explosive components was to include the design, construction and operation of a suitable plant for the casting of high explosives# d* Upon return of the CIT personnel from Los, Alamos,

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i work was begun imraediatoly with great saoreoy* On 19 £<e©«absr 1Shkt it was announced at a supervisors* meeting that a new prcjeot had been aa followsi "the U«S. has no bomb larger than 2000 pounds# It is desirable to develop something comparable in ai*e tothe British will be done in collaboration with work already started in Sew l4exioo in connection with a proximity fuse.” a* In the early stages of the work And before the name "Canel" had been applied to the project, it was identified by ffl® at the nate the possibility of confusion with the name *Fat & w % used at Site T to designate the implosion type atomic bomb* as differentiated from ( the Jfca* or gun and target bomb, the "SB* designation at Clf was ■ dropped* the name "Pumpkin" was. applied, to the training bomb under development by C IT which approximated the design of the final bomb only in its external appearance' end ballistic characteristics* crystallised te the point that responsibility had been designated, and work m s under way on* (b) High explosive develcjttent, including the design and construction of an explosives plant* (o) Comparison and development of firing methods and

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It was the reaponaibility of each of these sections to oheek or prepar# designs and specifications in collaboration with the Los Alamos Laboratory, to prepare orders for fabrication or test# and to provide the necessary authority for changes by manufacturers, all toward the end of providing Los Alaaos, and related Hites# in the shortest possible time, with acceptable materials and equipment with which to carry on the work* e* She work of Section I wee further divided between Dr* preparation of designs, and specifications for test of explosive cooponents* It included, with other ad seellaneou* items, responsibility for detonators, spherical pits* nose fusee end molds for the casting of explosivee# the last in collaboration with Section 5 of Gif* Kesponsibillty for all work connected with the experimental loading and test of d* Actual production, in Cl* and commercial facilities, was the responsibility of Section B, headed by Irevor Gardner, as were e U aotivitiee connected with the final inspection of manufactured items for conformity with specifications. As e result of Interference of Projeot Camel production with rocket production, because of the much higher priority carried by the former# e reorganisation was later effected whereby responsibility for Project Camel production and in* spection was assigned to Section 7* leaving Section B free to devote its energies to rocket production* the production loading of detonators in plants at Eaton Canyon, Pasadena,

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and the Naval Ordnance Teat Station, Inyokern, California, in addition to the development of facilities for production for high explosives. the design and development of apparatus needed in connection with the photographic phases of the test work by ether CIT sections, and for the development and production of special photographic equipment needed by cel and raeohanioal apparatus required for instrumentation in connection with the various tests was the responsibility of Section 2, under Dr* h* Flight and static firing tests were carried out by Section t* located at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, Inyokern* This section collaborated closely with all other sections engaged in Project Camel end with the Los Alamos Laboratory in the performance of whatever field tests were required* 1* Other sections engaged in activities associated with Project Camel were Section A, Personnel, under Terns 3U Wilson, and j* In order to make available to CXf the assistance of the Manhattan Engineer Distrlot in matters pertaining to priorities, expediting* transportation, cossfflunication and draft deferments, Capt* H* B* Burton of the MSB was assigned to the Institute on 19 January I9k5* The history and activities of this office are covered separately* Xt is pertinent to note, however, that this office became responsible for items included in orders from the Los Alamos Laboratory whioh did not

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require development and which could b© procured on tha open market* It also served as A relay point; for contact between, the Washington Liaison Office and the MED officer assigned to the Saval Ordnance test Station# Inyokera, California, ae well as a point of contact and oontrel between Clf And the Los Alamos Laboratory in the issuance of orders or requests k« the development and research carried out under Project Camel were reviewed on behalf of the Government by the Patent Group at Los Alamos, fiw Mexico, for the purpose of determining whether patentable subject matter existed therein* The Group wa# under the direction of K&jor Palph Carlisle Skaith# who In turn reported on the findings to the Patent Advisor to the Offlee of Scientific Be search and Development* This review entailed the reading of all of the reporta and such other documents as from time to time bec*me available* as well as the preparation of the Disclosures, Applications and Records nece#* sary t# protect the rights of the Government in the work being done* 1* The activities and accomplishments of ony one group are extremely difficult to delineate because of their numerous divers# and interrelated activities* It 1# proposed therefore to continue from this point with a description of th» major part# of the work* and their relation to the development of the bomb, with mention in passing of the responsibilities of persons fend …