wae On 18 December, Sam Howell of H&N sent a fetter to Sherman Sullivan of AEC (Los
Angeles) on subject of"feasibility study, shot barges and other vehicles."
C
This is an update and expansion of information included in a report titled
"Feasibility Study, Shot Barges" dated February 1960.
Five different types
of barges are discussed, known as a Type !, Type I1, etc., and their availability
adaptability to rapid transit, Gore cue delivery to forward area, and outfitting
as shot vehicles is discussed in some detail.
As for handling them as shot
vehicles It is noted "the Eniwetok Proving Ground provides suitable facilities,
but other sites thus far contemplated do not have sufficient depth of water
for movement of cutfitted barges to sea, or the use of existing dock facilities
would impose a considerable handicap to cargo handling,
Therefore, it is
recommended that unless EPG jis utilized, outfitting of barges should be accomplish
at a shipyard in the Honolulu area, for sites thus considered."
Howell notes
that a study by H&N of deepsea moorings is continuing but that another method is
presented here for positioning vehicles in the open sea in the event that anchorin
shot vehicles in deep water is not feasible.
This method is known as Project
MOHOLE, and a drawing of the proposed vessel known as
a combination of radar, sonor, and outboard motors
underwater buoys and special reflectors,
Cuss [|
working
is provided.
Thru
in conj :nction with
the vessel will maintain its own
position within about 250 feet.
oe On Ig December, Conrad Longmire sent a message thru Betts to Panofsky who
Let
apparently was working with Spurgeon Keeney with the administration at this time.
The major thrust of this lengthy message
was to provide justification for the
effects tests being considered as well as general justification for doing nuclear
effects tests at all.
Russians
One of the major arguments of course was that as long as the
did not test and therefore did not ftearn specific and discreet effects
of various weapons, the U.S. probably would not be losing any advantage; however,
since the Russians seem to have been doing such effects tests in their testing to
date
as well as operational systems tests, there is an urgent need for the U.S.
to do some effects tests of their own.
which these test should throw light,
Longmire addresses certain questions on
including EMP, Blackout, XO atmospheric