Author Archives: Carel Neffenger

Chicago Pile 1

December 2, 1942, the Chicago Pile – the first nuclear reactor – was completed at the University of Chicago. Where the Chicago Pile was located now stands Henry Moore’s Nuclear Energy sculpture, dedicated on December 2, 1967.

Henry Moore's Nuclear Energy

The original Chicago Pile was disassembled and moved to Site A in March 1943, renamed Chicago Pile 2. It operated until 1954, at which point it was disassembled and buried.

Chicago Pile marker

Now called the Red Gates Woods forest preserve, you’ll find an inscribed granite marker and an historical site marker. These mark the spot where Chicago Pile-2 was reassembled and built, along with other reactors, and then buried in a gigantic hole that was big enough for the 2-story high reactor, which was decontaminated and imploded for safety.
Chicago Pile 1 markerOther artifacts can be found in the area, including other concrete markers inscribed with historical information, the foundation of the labs, and more. The site can be found along the Pipeline Trail, which is poorly marked, but well worth the trek into history. Similarly, the trek from the main parking lot is as arduous.

Red Gate Woods Pipeline Trail

Hanford PFP Demolition Delayed


On Monday, October 31, 2016, after more than 20 years of planning, the demolition of what is considered Hanford’s most hazardous facility was delayed due to high winds. The Tri-City Herald reported that it should continue some time this week. 

“The Plutonium Finishing Plant, also known as PFP, represented the end of the line (the final procedure) associated with plutonium production at Hanford. PFP was also known as “Z-Plant” due to the fact that no further Hanford activity related to plutonium production would be done after the plutonium had been processed here. The plant began operations in 1949.”  (DOE Source)

USS Indianapolis Torpedoed

USS Indianapolis

USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by the Imperial Japanese Navy, sinking in 12 minutes halfway between Guam and the Philippines in shark-filled waters. Of the 1196 crewmen aboard, 880 survived the sinking, but only 321 came out of the water alive; only 317 ultimately survived the 4 days in the water facing exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks.

The USS Indianapolis left San Francisco on July 16, 1945. She had been at Mare Island Navy Yard to get heavy underwater damage repaired from a Kamikaze attack in the Battle of Okinawa in March. Next, she was ordered to the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, on a secret mission to carry parts and enriched uranium for the atomic bomb Little Boy (the gun-type fission weapon which would later be dropped on Hiroshima). She arrived at Pearl Harbor on July 19, then continued on to Tinian, arriving on July 26 to deliver her cargo. After returning to Guam, she was to meet up with the USS Idaho in the Leyte Gulf. Unfortunately, she never made it.

USS Indianapolis National Memorial

USS Indianapolis National Memorial

The USS Indianapolis National Memorial commemorates those who served as well as lost their lives on her. The memorial is on the east bank of the Central Canal and can be easily visited, open to the public 24 hours a day. The north side of the monument (above) tells the story of the USS Indianapolis and the disaster that the crewmen suffered. On the south side are the names of the ship’s company who made up her final crew.

The fate of the USS Indianapolis wasn’t known to the country until V-J Day, when it was reported in American newspapers along with the Japanese surrender.

USS Indianapolis Sinking

Newspapers reporting on the USS Indianapolis sinking.

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