Document byEXMNpBrKEZJOGn4NMqKyOVo

Mr, J.H. Schaefer. July 7th, 193* Dear Mr, Schaefer, Many thanks Indeed for your letter of the 30th June in -answer to lay memorandum regarding the provision of homib-proof Ethyl blending facilities. 1 received your latter together with, your cable A.31, I am afraid I must apologise for not having been more explicit in my original memorandum, for the various comments on the proposals you sent me really'miss one vital., point. The Air Command, purely from a strategical point of view, have given a definite order that the vital services of gasoline, and Ethyl Fluid storage must be fully protected, and the Engineering Department of the Air Force naturally have to meet their wishes even If, for technical reasons, any undesirable features are involved. This naturally implies that, apart from the tanks, all pipe lines--are,.buried, and a completely independently protected elec tric supply will be installed. This power plant will be operated either by Diesel or gasoline engines. The gasoline storage is calculated to be sufficient for six months' active service, divided amongst about five or six tanks which are com pletely buried and are protected against a direct hit from the heaviest bomb. Oscar Lewis' premise, therefore, that the tanks- will appear as grass covered mounds is completely untenable, for absolutely nothing will be visible from the air. The Air Ministry1have already provided and equipped a large number of bulk storage points in this manner, and when discussing the Fluid blending facilities, Pa were opposed- to any vital variation from our considered safety practices, so that these were installed on the surface, naturally Camouflaged and protected from blast. The Air Command, how ever, now insist that the entire scheme shall be self-contained and fully protected. That is the problem we have to face, and not a hypoth esis as to the undesirability of the scheme which, of course, is agreed to by all parties. KB 0015308 fvH* sohaefeu* -3- July ?tli, 1939* Ixi the existing protected gasoline storage installations, quite ob- . viously very complete and elaborate forced ventilation schemas have been ?iorio3 d out to deal-with concentrations of gasoline or other vapours which might annusrolate. The Military Engineers are fully satisfied, as a result of their experience, that such a ventilating equipment can ha so duplicated ana protected that the possibility of its boii.ig put out of concussion entirely is extremely remote. The outlet ducts wili be caretktlly chosen, and aha so designed that in the unlikely possibility of a direct hit on tho duct, a duplicate is available, and the damaged one can ba repaired a.3 soon as conditions permit. The entire system of tanks, disehargo points, and the Ethyl blending platform will ba connected by a series of tunnels, and so alternative exits arc provided aril under- normal conditions, I.e. outside a gas attack, various exits trill be open and so induce natural through ventilation, fo far us the abtual Ethyl'blending is concerned, sufficient lead and gasoline arc contdMplated, ^sr ;six months' supply*, so that blending presumably --would only; take pliieq ohqd during the six., months. The. only problem is to lead up the entire stock of gasoline in only one or two operations. It is necessary ts keep clear gasoline in store' as the period of tine that such a reserve stock wey bo held in storage is in definite 0,-,-iuai.therefore it is considered undesirable to hold it as leaded gasoline*,,. Batur^i!# we a!X;'g^hsstXy kpfe that the necessity of operat ing these plants: but the ^prejsent. political situation ju;st forcos us to consider ic. . I discussed tti^psolieae suggested by Mr* Colvin with the engineers at the Air, Ministry, and they ruled out the suggestion of having several protected siirfses blending platforms as being Impracticable, since they would be too visible from tho air, and at soma particular points where this schema is projected we are led to expect heavy and concentrated attack. Therefore any equipment visible on the surface will present a direct target, Tho entire schema, as it is conceived today, will ba completely invislblo, tho only outlet being the various ventilating ducts for the tank con^artmants and for the proposed blending platform* X would therefore be grateful if you could give your further con sidered opinion to the problem when reviewed in the light of the further explanation contained in this letter, the principal points of which m y be summarised essentially as follows 1. The Air Ookmand demand that the whole installation bo completely protected and invisible. 2* Continuous blending operations are not contemplated, and it is possible, [but not certain, that the major quantity of the stored gasoline will be leaded up before trouble actually starts. KB 0015809 M i JJ?. Schaefer. 3' July 7th, 1939 3* Mixes would not he made during an actual air raid, for it is anticipated that all men working in th underground installation could be evacuated before an attack arrives. 4 It would be impossible for a direct hit to damage either the tanlcs or the blending platform, and it is only conceivable by chance that the ventilating ducts or tunnel exits iiould be hit, -he Military Engineers for the design have, of course, foreseen this, and the arrangements are so duplicated and con ceived that repairs could be made* Saving seriously reviewed the points 1 have established In this letter, I would still appreciate your comments on the practicability or otherwise of installing the closed bur ventilated blending and storage room. As I am asking your advice, I naturally do not expect you to concur with my view's, if you being in my position would yourself definitely nils against them, . If, however, when reviewed in the light of the added explanation given, you consider that such a schons should be practicable, allowing for the premise that tho ventilating system d l l not be put out of commission '.siilst blending is taking place, 'this must be accepted on the experience of the Military Engineers), I would greatly appreciate 3ome:detailed recommendations i'rcsn you on the ventilating scheme, i.e. the design of the hood, capacity of fan and capacity of suction fan and duets earring the bleeding area. This system will definitely bo a suction system, drawing purs air and discharging back again into tho atmosphere, - this being iii line with tie ventilating o g u ip se n t which will be installed for the ventilation of the tank ureas, It is not contemplated., therefore, to laalntniij. a positive pressure inside the installation, .' J Tours very truly, pr .',1 ?0SS3TT KE 0015810