equilateral triangle. The site for the "E+" program added to the overall program in the Fall of 1950 was the northern apex. The existing
airstrip, perpendicular to the east shore of the island and 1,500 feet
south of the northern apex, was resurfaced and lengthened, The camp
was located some distance south of the airstrip and on the east shore
So as to catch the prevailing breeze.
The tent quarters were placed in staggered rows parallel to the
shore with the other camp facilities grouped farther inland. After
the decision was made to use this site for the Military Structures
program, the capacity of the camp was approximately doubled, This
enlargement was required to accommodate the increase in personnel
necessitated by the acceleration of the construction program. The
additional tent quarters were placed in staggered rows inland from and
parallel to the earlier tent installation. The enlarged population
necessitated increasing the other camp facilities. An additional mess
hall building was placed adjacent and parallel to the original, with a
covered passage connecting the two. The recreation building was enlarged to include a post office and post exchange. The first aid station was moved out of the combined fire and first aid building and an
infirmary replaced it. The quarters vacated became the timekeeper's
office. The open air movie theater was enlarged beyond the original
design. The other buildings (recreation tent, day room, and power

plant) remained unchanged.

Bogallua. The selection of a fourth experiment site had been one
of the tasks assigned the Reconnaissance party. After investigation,
the group recommended Bogallua, one of the islands west of Engebi, as
the most suitable site, provided use could be made of the sand spit at
the west end of the island. The main problem involved in the use of
the sand spit was that of determining its stability. The age and ex-

tent of the vegetation on the spit indicated that it was stable, and

studies of aerial photographs taken six months and eighteen months before corroborated the opinion that the spit was stable. After conferences among representatives of Holmes & Narver, J-Division, and the
AEC Engineering and Construction Division at Los Alamos, Bogallua was
selected as the fourth experiment island.
The planning of installations on Bogallua was based upon the fact

that the time and nature of the experiment to be conducted there would

require a less elaborate camp than those on other experiment islands.
The camp was designed to house fewer than 50 men in tents, and provided

for only a pit latrine and an open shower and lavatory slab.

Storage

and repair facilities were to be housed in tents. The weapons tower
power plant were to be similar to those on other experiment islands.
No movie theatre or airstrip was to be provided.

On December 2, 1949, after the site layout had been approved and
after some construction work had been done, a break was observed in the
sand spit. On December 10, 1949, a second break was observed; and
shortly thereafter the sand spit disintegrated almost entirely. An
attempt was made to stabilize at least a portion of the spit, but this

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