tffpriiker $rmit ^ Murphy Library VOLUME 61?NUMBER S MURPHY, NORTH CAROLINA. THURSDAY. SEPT. 6. 1951 EIGHT PAGES THIS r t, ? ? Two Large Projects Are Under Way Hfwassee Dam Naval Ordnance Facilit The ttoval Ordnance Laboratory Experimental Facilities at Hhraa see Dam, 24 miles from Murphy, is a unique establishment which started in 1942 as a two weeks test operating from a trailer boused laboratory. It has continued to work and grow without interrup tion. It at present has a staff of 32 people. Including: Scientists, en gineers, administrative personnel, craftsmen, a nurse, guards and la borers There are 14 buildings, \yhich include an admlnisrative of fice with a'well equipped photo lab, a wood-working shop, ma chine shop, electric shop, tool room, garage and an electronic laboratory. The work done by the Experi mental Facilities quickly proved its v41 i>e to the Laboratory at White Oak. It had an important part in the development of the Mk 9 depth charge carrying on the stability tests to establish the max imum size of charge which can be used writhout seriously effecting the underwater stability of the weapon. A iarge portion of the field developmen and evaluation of the Mark 14 depth charge was done at Hiwassee between 1942 and 1945. Another big Job involved a series of tests on depth charge pistols to determine the effects of sub-zero temperatures on K-gun launched depth charges. For this job a two-story floating laboratory was specially constructed to pro vide proper height above water level for launching the depth charge. At the present time there are two main projects under way. A pew type of depth charge has been undergoing a series of tests for months. The second long range job involves tests on fuses for an other of the new underwater mis siles. In addition there are always many special jobs which are brought down from the Naval Or dnance Laboratory from time to time. The NOL Experimental Facili ties has an Ideal location. Hiwas see Lake, formed by the huge Tennessee Valley Authority Dam is over 250 feet deep and 20 miles long. It is clear, still, fresh and rel atively calm so that tests can be readily carried on. The shores around the lake are steep and hea vily wooded and the lake Itself while outstandingly beautiful is little used by vacationists. Taking advantage of this natural situation, the experiment station has added its own facilities. A rocket launch er has been located at the top of one of the steep hills overlooking the lake. A float launching tower has been constructed on a raft to provide for steep angle water en try tests. A floating laboratory, several rafts and a floating boat house eliminate the problem of seasonal changes in water level. A huge steel-mesh net was con structed on cables so that it could be lowered into the water or pulled up on shore. This net can be low ered into the target area before a missile is fired and is then pulled up on the shore to provide easy recovery of the missile for study. A large Helmholtz coil is located in the test area of the lake. This allows the magnetic fields of ships or submarines to be simulated so that tests can be performed on in fluence fused missels. The newest test facilitiy is a special cable now being tested for guiding the course of experimental rocket launched missiles. This, if it proves satis factory, may be a substitute for the rail launchers used at present in various testing facilities. The Experimental Facilities has al ways been proud of its ability to meet any problem that is given to it. The ingenuity of the station per sonnel in developing new test fa cilities to meet unusual problems in the field testing of the new weapons has done much tq speed up the development of various pieces of ordnance at the White Oak Laboratory. The Hiwassee station Is a facil ity of the Naval Ordnance- Labora tory, and as such operates uhder the direction of a senior technical representative. Jack'Love 11, who is also the resident-in-charge for Com 8. Considerable credit is due the TennesseeValley Authority at Hiwassee for its assistance and co operation. The lead occupied by m A CORNER OF THE HUGE NET used by the Naval Ordnance Laboratory Experimental Facilities at Hlwassee Dam to provide easy recovery of un derwater missiles being tested. Joseph L. Cassidy, Jr., an engineer at the station checks the links to be sure the net Is In good condition before lowering It Into the water. Large Crowd Hear Governor Kerr Scott A large crowd attended the tra-