Memo to G W Johnson, Subject: UCRL Requirement for a Suitable Ship to Be Used in Firing & Diagnosis of High Yield Nuclear Devices at Taongi Atoll (Hardtack I Operation)

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UCRLhas a requirement for a suitable ship to be used in the firing and biagnosia of high yield nuclear devices at Taongi Atoll in Operation Hardtack, 1958, aud In future operations. Considerable work has been done toward accumlating the necessary requirements to be fulfH.led in the choice of such a ship. Several specific ships have been under‘ consideration in obtaM.ng the lnforxnation necessary for us tc arrive at a preference. The ships considered were: 1. Mediumtroop trenspmt tuber The above ships were considered in axx’atteipt to fill two basic 1. Sufficient cabTn class quarters 2. Radar tracked amament’mounts or stabi&ed platform suitable for xmxntixxgthe d:iagnostic equipxxmt The first two ships above were mjected because of insufficient clear elevated dwk space in which to mount the radar positioned scientific equipment. lOtamberthree was rejected because of excessive sise and and an AV, the USS Mrtiss specifically, were brought uader closer scrutiny. The CVEtype represents oxxeextreme and the t’Curtissn the other, since the CVZwsa8 presently fitted out, meet practically none If 88818 pertinent, thcrefolle , to present our concepts of the operation of the diagnostics ship and those facilities and functions which she must house aboard. Since, from our viewpofnt the field has narrowed down to a &mice between items four aud five above, It also seems pertinent to draw a mmpmison between the two to aid you in your decisiton on the bas:ts of su2tabilltp’ and economy. It is our ooncept that the ship arrive off Taongi at the saxxmtime an LSDtnbuld arrive from Bikini, prior to the first shot. Aboard the _ a

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with the barge xmrings. At slack high water the LSD would discharge the LCUwhich would proceed thmugh the Poka&m Passage [widened to 70-100 yarde) to the eero site at the north end of Taongi lagoon, and wntmnce the task of placing the moorings for the first barge. The crew of the LCU yoCl$ be mased and housed aboardthe LCU~dux-ingthe one to two day periodrequired for placing the moorings. During this time the LSD end exper5mental ship would lay to at sea in the leeward crescent of the atoll. Upon completion of the moorings, the LCD IJr>uld return to t& ISI aKlduith the assistance of the two KXfs would prosed to warp the shot barge through the passage# tow it to the eero site and moor and position l&e barge in its final slignmnt. Concurrentwith the mooringand barge placementoperationseupported from the LSD, the experimntal groupson the firingand diagnostic ship would make finalpreparation8and would prove out eqtipmentready for dry rum* At this potit the experimentalequimnt is in readiness and the weaponsgroup uould stmttheir finalpreparations,havingbeen transferredfromthe ahiptc the LSD bymotor launchinorderto lmwd the shot barge priorto floodingdown. The ICU and ficM"ein turn would . have returned into the ISD with theirboat crews. On this final day, for purposeaof final dry runs, the experiYrmtalahipwouldmove to the positionchosenfor the shot, completethe dry rune, returnto the &ip6e launch. Hoistingthis last boat aboardconstitutes fin&L evacuation, leaving both the aforemmtioned ships free to mve to their final sefe shot positions. Assuming the shot is then detonated early the next morning, the LSD would remain in her safe position while the experftmental ship is moved to a suitable safe dietonce off shore. From this podnt an aerial z-ad-safe sumy of the lagoon w&or would be made, both st mall boat moorings at the southern end of the lagoon and in the vicinity of the crater. Upon determination that the radiation level at the mall boat moorings would permit a mooring operation there, the UD would discharge would then sail for Ran to load and return the next shot barge, lea-g the experimental ship laying to at Taongi in support of the next mooring placement operation. The radiation level in the crater proper probably will not drop to a safe uor&g level as rapidly as the level in the southern lagoon. Thus the concept of tIm mall craft being moored first as described to await cl.earance into the crater is to allow the earliest possible saihing time for the LSD. fn the above conceptsevwd pints should be emphasised : 1. Deep water operations In the lee of the atoll can be delayed bj rough weather cud the use of LCV”s end U%Cs outside of the lagoon is kept to an absoluts min%mm in the above plan.

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2. It is not masonableto acceptthe viewpointthatair aupport is essentialfrom the sero site to the shipsfor the purposeof per3. For safe operation,in the one or two personneltransfer trips 4. Thefirstshotwillbroachthe reefandwill allow the LSD to anchorand dischargethe secondshotbargein quiet water. 5. It willbs possibleto hold mall boat mooringsin the southern lagoon exceptfor perhapsthe lastshot. 6. The necessityfor returnof the experimentalshipto Bikinior Eniwetckduringthe Taongioperationwillbe onlyon the basisof need 7. The LSD can he utili5edfor the transferof the weryfew psrsome1 who may have to move betweenatolls. We are proceedingwithour planningonths basisthat fromthe technicalstaudpointtheTaongi operationis to bs as independentan operationas possiblecomprising twominunits; the experimenttilshipsnd its complemntandthe LSD and its complement. 8. It is realizedthatothernon-technicalsupportwill probably be deemedneoessaryat Taongiand thisplanonlyencompassesour reAs previouslystatedin UCIU reporton the Taongiproposal, and procurea shipon a fairly%ongtermrbasis. It is verydesirable thatthe vesselhe iln AEC co&ml, ratherthanU. S. Navy, in order to facilitateand expediteany presentand futuremodificationwork. We wish verymuch to establishthe viewpointthatthisshipis repro- % the initialexpense,for instance,can be comparedto the combined The combinedtotalfor the aboyestations,bare of scientificequipment formedin thesefacilitieswill all be aboardthe experimentalship. It is preferredthatshe be mannedby a civiliancomplementwith as Holmesand Namer responsibility.We ask for.HM in the performance of the followingserviceoperationsaboardbecausewe deem it essential for basicmoraleto provi<+an equal. stander4of livingto thatof

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Electricians (2_rCin supportof diagnostics) maintenancemen (2-4 in supportof diagnostics) In the intirestsof economy,it is advisableto maintaina skeleton maintenancecmw aboardbetweenoperationsbut not supplythe H&i'? We urge that the shipbe made availablein aSan Franciscobay port facilityby 1 July 1957. At thistime we will start the job of modificationsand, later, scientifcequipmentinstallation.It is anticipatedthat the periodsrequiredin outfittingwould be dividedin three phases,each cornpaSte on the date as indicated: Installationof cabin spacesas required. Installationor ficationof existingcontrollablemounts. Shipyardmaintenance dry docking. Installationof air conditioningas required. PHAS If (1December 37 to 15 Febzuars58) Mountingand wiringof diagnosticgear. Installationof diesel generatedinstrumentpower as required. Preliminaryelectricalcheck PHASE III-- (15 February58 to 15 Aaril 58) Final checkson scientificgear beforesailingfrom 2.1. Chandle period. Sea trials (2 or 3 one day runs) as necessaryfor final adjua

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and mot of scientific gear and stabiU%d platforms. Traneit time Phase I could be accomplished anyvhere feasible on the U.S. Pacific Coast but it is preferable to accompli& this phase near Livermore, if practical, to expedite and coordinate diagnostic equipnt design. Again, vith the thought that the ship is an AECscientific atation, ve requeet that Holms and Carver amme the responsibility as an AEX contractor for the de&g and execution of the shipboard modifications necessaryto fit her out for O-Wpurpoaaa. Thia channel fa establlshed betveea Teak Groups 7.1 land 7.5 and ve wish to follow it in handling tha ship modifications. The build up of aivilian crev and sane buildup of .H&?‘?personnel aboard oan be accomplished, from our vievpoint, during Phase8 I, II and III. It fe planned #at only e few diagnostics peraonr~l uould make the trip from the 2.1. to EPG aboard the Bhip, The technical requirements aboard also include the necessity for the installation of the firing racks, vaather radar, release tone equipment and other item essential to tha detonation of a nuclear device by radio. All of thia equipant must be in an air conditiomd space subject to both tamparature and humidity control. Such equipment has been housed in a room with an area of 300 square feet. It is essential that this equil;apentba aboard the same ship as the diagnostic equipment for reasons of interlocking and close coordination vith the diagnostics and veapona group rapresentatives during firing. The most impcrrtant technical requirement comprise8 the clear deck area and ita elevet!Lon above WI water line in which diagnostic equipment can ba mounted on stabilized platforms. Designs of the scientific equipnt are not yet finaliesd but certain deaign parameters ~sreknovn. Theaa parameters define tha space 1. A maximumof six stabilized platforms are required. 2. Weights to be carried on these platforms range from approximately 100 to 2,000 pounds. 3. All platform areas must be at least 20 feet abo~ the waterline l 4, Tvo platform area8 muet be at least 60 feet above the waterline. 5. The axis of tha equlmnt placed on these platforma must be stabili=d in continual coincidence with a line of sight tovard the sero site to an acduracy of z30” divergence. Considerable information has been gathered on the possibility of using radar tracked gun mounts for this purpose. Most; but not all, of the veight loade to be accommodatedare compatible with placement on a 40 mmquad-mounting. We feel that et least one of the mounts should ba larger than a 40 mmquad. The U. S. lpavy at Mare Island has forwarded an e&mate for the pla&nzit of a 40 mmtwin mount on the flight desk

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Allmaterial to be government furnished. By removalofthe two 4Ommguns proper,a single stabilised platformcouldbs mountedin theirplacealthoughthe loadcarrying capacityof thismountis somewhatlessthan themaximumrequired, The costfigureaboveis the onlypieceof informationwe have presentlywhichindicatesthe costof installationof suchgear. will be necessaryto includethe capabilityfor storageof twc helicoptersaboard. It is feltthatcompletemaintenancecapabilityis not necessaryaboardthe diagnosticsshipand thatsuchmaintenancecan be doneat Nan whennecessary.The 1 - 2 hour mey flightaftereach shotrepresentsthe onlyessentialdemandon helicoptersupportfor Ths shipmustbe equipped with oonamanicationsessential tomaintain dose contactwithotherelementsin the operation.This requiresthat Air conditionedlaboratorjspacecomposedof approximatelyfour darkroomswitha totalof 1000 squwe feetof spaceis essentialin supportof grvx~pphotographicrequirements.This spaceis requiredto coverthe needsof fivephotographicfunctions: Thesefacilitiesmet eachbe equippedwith s temperaturecontrolled In supportof electronicinstrumentrepairit is deemednecessary to provide1000 squarefeetof combinedshop and storagaspats. It is estimated25% of thisspacewouldbe storage.All of it must be air partselectronicstoragespacewhichis estimatedto be an additional

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An estimateof the office apacerequiredseemareasonableif placed at 10,000 squarefeet. This figureis arrivedat by the summationof estimatedminimumxwquirearzntawhich the variousgroupsand agencieshave occupiedin the part operations aboard the TG 7.1 commandvesseland at a singleislandoamp. Includedin this estimateia apace for the UCRL Fast Photo Moat of the above list is @mpoaed of relativelysmall numbersof peoplein each group. Space for diagnoatitifilm readingand data reductionia includedin the above. It is recommendedthat all of the above apaae be air conditionedfor personnelcomfort. We feel that cabin class qttarterashouldbe providedfor all occupantsin the above list. A roughestimateof the numberof spaces requiredseems to ba 150 at a m!Lnimumand errors of oazniaaionwill raise this figure. It ia recommendedthat 175 vxrfortablsair conditioned apaceabe provided. Due to the confinement,lengthof stay aboard,the fact that the ship will be dead in the water,or at slow speedwith minimumwind ventilationpoaaib:Le,we feel that personnelcomfortshould be assuredby air conditioning'thequarters, The beat estimate of machineshop apace which can be given at thia time is 400 square feet. !?hiaapace would be occupied by light machinetools in support of the technical pxqgxma. It ia separate from that requiredin maintenanceof the ship and it is essential that this experimentalahop apace ba fbXly abr conditionedas a protection for the precision equipmentagainstoorroaiondamage. The moat importantbaeia for a common between a Cti (or CVE) and the USS Curtias whichcan be appliedas an aidinthe properfinal choice is to directly compare those characteristics which define the operating and mainknance 1iabiXityto be assumed. It is alao important to comparethe two rshipaphysicallyaa nououtfitted to obtain an initial coet ratio. Some of the charaateriaticaof the two ahips are in the

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1. Over& Length in Feet 3. Beam Over Platingin Feet z 5. Mean Draft in Feet

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Several comsaents 81’8 pmtinent concerning the above data. 1. Fran 8n e%mim&ion of the respective dimensions, it is seen that the two 8hip8 are roughly the same si8e. The Curtis8 has a slightly larger hull, krt less displacemmt. No height8 above the water line are for the diagnostic gear. The Curtis8 does have the slight adwntage of small u8eful areas higher above the w8ter. 3. Theefficient power p&ant in the Curtis8 is 8 great advantage hpm th!3 standpoint Of operating cOSt8. Her power plant is newer and of mdern design. This typ8 of eqUi&.ment is 80 general that location of reliable shipyard minfenance when needed 1s no problem. The greater economy in fiel i8 Cert8inly a very fmport8nt factor to consider. 4. The Curti haEIover twice the range of the CV7 Qnd ie a factor to consider since it will certzx~y decrease the refuels by a large number. This ch8racteriatic must be taken inti account not only for a Redwing popultstion aboard it wa8 not necessary to curt8il fresh water production but that it ~88 necesesry to enlist individual cooperation to assure fresh dx%king w8ter and showers for everyone. It is felt that the production capacity of 8 CwJ is inadequate. 6. The 138KV of AC power tnvailable on the Curtias is 8n advant8ge since 80038 of the Scientific function8 must be supplied seperately from 8ny inatrumtit power which will be inst&Lled in either ship. Exmples of needs which are in this crstegory are the electronic ahop and the HZC is not indicative of 8n sdvantage for the Cv7. By the tim the facilities necessary to support, house, and feed the scientific groups aboard a CVJ are added it seem cerf&in that the ratio will be 1:l. There are many mom strictly navy functions now being perfomed aboati the cuPti.88 tht%n the CVU at the present time. Exmnples of personnel which me not on the per80nnel~ eta. It is realized that the present ~1% muld cut back the pemonnel on either 8hip drastically, and we feel th8t bmxuae of the larger numberof navy ftractiona , a greater pemsntage can be eUminated mm the Curtisa. A very good pmof of this is &ha present total number

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8. The maintenaxm and repair allotaaent seems to bear out statements that hatre been made concerning the reliability 88 far as engines, piping, boilers, and auxiliaries aI’0 concerned. The CV’Yssubre krilt during wart&m on a very fast schedule. It has been stated that the original auxiliaries, boilers, snd piping are not uniform and in 801138cases sub9. As seen from the operational plan previously described, a great deal of importance must he attached to the amall boat capability and the cranes vhich are available to U.ft them from the vater. The larger launches and cranes aboard the Curtiss represent oosts vhich vill ensue with a choice of a CVU. The fact that tvo cranes are being added to the “Cape Esperanc@ now is a dwnonstration of continual need. 10. The armawnt and fire control system,on the Curtiss is adequate, YB believe, for fhiS particular Spplletitlon~ The 40 nm quad IKR~~EI, at present, are not connected inta the MK37 gun director but this is a rnatfer of switchboard uonnections. The SN 38 guns have been removed but are still held at Hunterus Point as part of tha ship. If the same mounts vere added to a CW flight dexk ve estimate the installation cost alone to be no less thsn $350,000. Some general a,o8lents which can be made include the fact that the Atomic Energy Coxmiesion has a large invuatment in the Curtiss, and essentially all of this ixwesixnent can be saved if the Curtiss is used. The changes that ve:~ made aboard k&r vere in support of scientific groups and the facilities …