I found this on the web http://www.inl.gov/proving-the-principle/

it is an online book fo the history of nuclear power. With a chapter about the Navy's prototypes in Idaho.

Thanks. interesting read.

I just read through the chapter on SL1. A little more deatiled than some of the other accounts I've read.

Thanks for the tip on the book. I read some of it online - I'll have to get a hard copy. Since I have been involved on both the Navy side and the DOE side (as Manager of Nuclear Quality for Westinghouse Hanford) it is going to be a treat for me to read. Many weeks were spent at INEL whilst I was based at HEDL.

The SL-1 was an incredible accident and 'lessons learned'. In today's world of nuclear safety, one is prompted to say "Didn't they know...?" No, they didn't. We know a lot from the sacrifices of those people.

"Mack the Knife"
CDR USN (Ret)

It has been said that the changes to the manuals are often written in the blood of those that came before. Sometimes, the "blood" part is very literal.

I, too, would enjoy a hard copy of this book.