EXPLOSION IN TURRET TWO
Investigation Continued

e.      Consider adding to prescribed inspection procedures, regardless of by whom done, X-ray inspection of all fully-assembled ADF Mks 54 and 55, and all BDF, for 3” and larger projectiles, with identification and appropriate retention of the X-ray photography for record.  If established, this could supplant the back-up X-ray inspections recommended in paragraph d. above.

f.      Continue the 8” projectile re-inspection program directed by reference (i) until the entire inventory has been certified.  Priority of effort on this program could be readjusted when NEWPORT NEWS leaves Southeast Asia.

g.      Initiate earliest an inspection program including X-ray, in extension of the provisions of subparagraph d. and e. above, for present stocks of ADF Mk 54 (Mods).

h.      Accelerate all feasible the fitting of ADF Mks 379/395 in lieu of ADF Mk54 in service 5” ammunition.

i.       Adapt and fit the ADF Mk 379/395 design to 6”/47 and larger service ammunition.

j.      Adapt to any further fuze procurement, including the Mk 379/395 types and other detonating fuzes as appropriate, all applicable improvements with respect to safety which have emerged from investigations related to NEWPORT NEWS.  An example is the complete encapsulation of the fuze primer mixture within a metal shell, shaped to permit assembly only in the correct direction.

k.      Conduct a firing program to determine for Explosive D the size of gaps in projectile filler which are safely allowable.

l.      Develop and install automatic flame barriers for the powder hoists in NEWPORT NEWS – class 8” turrets, all 6”/47 turrets, and all 5”/54 RF mounts.

70.           And finally, we recommend that appropriate levels of fleet command:

a.      Provide for the assignment of qualified commissioned turret officers to all turrets 6”/47 and larger, these officers normally to be present during any expected occasions of firing the turret.

b.   Modify type gunnery doctrine as discussed herein with respect so slow salvo fire, for all classes of gun armaments, for use in situations in which a high rate of fire is not a consideration, and where periods of firing may be protracted.

   (page 21)