Oct 22, 2013

150 Tons of Lewisite Dumped in Chesapeake Bay as WW I Ended

In 1917, the chemistry building at Catholic University was turned over to the War Department and a team of chemists under the direction of Capt. Winford Lee Lewis began refining mustard gas. They found Nieuwland's thesis and refined his discovery into Lewisite ... One hundred fifty tons of Lewisite were produced in Willoughby, Ohio and shipped to Edgewood arsenal in 516 steel 50 gallon drums.  These had just arrived at the Bush River Depot when the war ended on November 11, 1917.  The author believes these were dumped in the Chesapeake Bay 50 miles from Baltimore ...
Many chemical shells from Aberdeen PG were dumped offshore in the Atlantic, starting with the steamer Elinor in 1918.  In the 1960s, during operation CHASE (Cut Holes And Sink Em), barges and boats of chemical ordnance were sunk along the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaiian and Panamanian coasts.  These were usually dumped in very deep water.  However, WWII era chemical bombs, drums or one ton cylinders always contained an air space to allow the agent to expand in hot weather.  This can cause thin skinned munitions or drums to float or be light enough to roll into shore in heavy weather.
75mm projectile found in Washington D.C. dump

Oct 6, 2013

Two Saw Horses with 20-Foot Gap Can't Secure High Probability Site

Earlier this week, our security guard encountered a trespasser on the site and handled the situation according to our established operational security procedures.  Glenbrook Road is an active construction/remediation site.  Unauthorized visitors are not allowed at the site because it violates our safety and security protocols.  The most prevalent safety concerns are trips, slips, and falls. We brief our site crews and visitors on the key safety issues at the site on a daily basis.

 
Additionally, security is another key component of our protocols for the site.  We do have armed Special Police Officers at the site during all non-working times to provide security.  We have taken all necessary steps to conduct operations in a safe manner and to protect the public at all times, which means no authorized visitors are allowed on the site.  This requirement is meant to protect not only the public, but also our site workers.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Two saw horses — 20 feet apart — are the only public warning on the site perimeter that the area is restricted in any way.  These so-called "barriers" (next to blue arrow below) are located on the right-hand, eastern edge of the Army Corps' restricted area.  There are no signs indicating that the area just outside the lower level exit of Watkins Building (orange arrow on right) has been restricted by the Army Corps.  Nor are there any signs indicating that it has been restricted in any way, if you approach the army trailers from the athletic fields to the north (other orange arrow).
 
Hit CountersFree Hit Counter