Document dnK0Kn1ybk6kroX2pXj3b1Jj6

1d :.;'-- ,+-r`Ov HFjDGB. Mr, J.H. Schaefer, July 7th, 1930* Dear Mr, Schaefer, ' Many thanks indeed for your letter of the 30th June in -answer to my memorandum regarding the provision of bomb-proof Ethyl blending facilities. 1 received your letter together with, your cable A,31, I am afraid X bust apologise for not having been more explicit in my original memorandum, for the various comments on the proposals you sent me really mi3s oh vital., point. The Air Command, purely from a strategical point of view, have given a definite order that the vital service 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. Jills naturally implies that, apart from the tanks, all pipe lines-arstburied, and a completely independently protected elec tric supply will bo 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 Ministry!have already provided and equipped a large number of bulk storage points in this manner, and when discussing the Fluid blending facilities, we 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 aa to the undesirability of the scheme which,course, is agreed to by all parties. k FUH Schaefer. -3- <Fuly ?th, 1939* la the existing protected gasoline storage installations, quite ob viously very complete and elaborate forced ventilation schemes have been worked out to deal-with concentrations of gasoline or other vapours which might annusralate. The Military Engineers are fully satisfied, as a result of their experience, that such a ventilating equipment can ba so Cuplicatea ana protected that the possibility of its being put out of coinission entirely is extremely remote. The outlet ducts will be care fully chosen, and are so designed that in the ualilosly possibility of a direct hit on the duct, a duplicate is available, and the damaged one can be repaired a.3 s.oon as conditions permit. The entire system of tanks, disehargo points, and the Ethyl blending platform will be connected by a aeries of tunnels, and so alternative exits aro provided aril under noraa! conditions, i,e. outside a gas attack, various exits trill bo open and so induce natural through, ventilation, bo far as the abtual Ethyl blending is concerned, sufficient lead and gasoline arc coiltemplate^ fbr;six months' supply:, so that blending presumably - would only take place once during the six; months. The only problem is to load 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 may bo held in storage is in definite^-toad.. therefore it is considered undesirable to hold it ad leaded gasoline,,,. Hatur^IX# sip* '^afehestXy hope that the- necessity of operat ing the plants: maypapWr.but the vprehent. political situation ju;st forces us to consider iu. I discussed ttiehsokeaa suggested by Mr* Colvin with the engineers at the Air Ministry, and they ruled out the suggestion of having several protected sdrfaSe blending platforms as being impracticable, since they would be too visible from tho air, and at soma particular points where this scheme is projected we are led to expect heavy and concentrated attack. Therefore any equipment visible on the surface will present a direct target. The entire schema, as it is conceived today, trill ba completely invisible, the only outlet being the various ventilating ducts for the tank coB^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 my be summarised essentially as followst~ 1. The Air Command demand that the whole installation be 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 MTi 7,3. Schaefer. 3 ' July 7th, 1939 3* Minas would not he made during an actual air raid, for it is anticipated that all men working in the underground installation could be evacuated before an attack arrives. 4, It would be impossible for a direct liit to damage either the tanka or the blending platform, and it is only conceivable by chance that the ventilating ducts or tunnel exits mvalti 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 as asking your advice, I naturally do not expect you to concur with my view's, if you being in my position wold yourself definitely rule against them, . If, however, when reviewed in the light of the added explanation given, you consider that such a scheme should be practicable, allowing for the premise that tho ventilating system <,.111 not be put out of commission whilst blending is taking place, {this must be accepted on the experience of the Military Engineers), 2 would greatly appreciate acm detailed recommendations from you on the ventilating scheme, i.e. the design of the hood, capacity of fan and capacity of suction fan and duets nerving the blending area. This system will definitely bo a suction system, drawing pure air and discharging back again into tho atmosphere, - this being la line with tie ventilating equipment which will be installed for the ventilation of the tank ureas. It is not contemplated., therefore, to maintain a positive pressure inside the installation. J Tours very truly, 3, FOSSBTT. HE 0015810