Army & Navy: Ships and the Atom

What would an atomic bomb do to a naval task force? A lot of people have been urging the Navy to make the test. Last week the Navy, which has been anxiously brooding over the idea, promised that it would—but not soon.

Navy atomic experts have been studying hull design and structural stresses. The Navy wants to make at least two tests: 1) of an atomic bomb exploding above the surface; 2) of a bomb exploding underwater at determined depths. For the tests to be worth anything, the Navy figures it will need some 20 to 30 ships—Fleet Admiral Ernest King suggested 80 to 100. Enemy vessels may be used, but the Navy also wants to measure the effect on its own construction.

Such a big project required big preparations. The interesting experiment will not take place before next spring.