MS 77/23/014 N/SHO/917/6/67
CONFIDENTIAL
69
4648
28th November, 1967.
८8
I an sorry I have not replied earlier to your letter of 26th October about the continuing need to have monitoring teams available at Hong Kong for the "Savannah". (Incidentally, I see from the Birmingham Post of 25th November that the "Savannah" has sprung a leak in its reactor off the New Jersey coast and was said to be limping to New York.)
I share your concern about our continuing to insist on having monitoring teams whenever the "Savannah" visits Hong Kong. I have however consulted the Board of Trade's Engineer Surveyor-in-Chief, Mr. Whiteside, and he finds himself unable at this juncture to make any recommendation to relax the need for monitoring whilst in port, especially in view of the inconclusive findings of the Nuclear Powered Warships Safety Committee on this aspect. I see that the NPWSC is to reconsider its policy, when it has additional information, and I hope that we will be able to relax our position then. At the moment, I think we have no alternative but to stand firm.
We do not altogether agree with your suggestion in paragraph 4 that the danger of irradiation is necessarily less acute on the "Savannah" (despite its inbuilt safeguards) than on a submarine, and would be reluctant to allow a relaxation for the "Savannah" before a general relaxation is agreed by the NPWSC, certainly without more information.
I am anxious however to agree to a relaxation as soon as we feel able, as I told the United States Shipping Attaché informally a few weeks ago. He told me that Mr. Mehann, Vice President of the First Atomic Ship Transport Inc., was prepared to fly to London to discuss with us further the safety requirements for the "Savannah". If the NPWSC is to change its policy quite soon then there is no need for any talks with the Americans. If there is likely to be any considerable delay then I think should have another look at the requirements for the "Savannah" in isolation from those for nuclear powered submarines, and have further talks with the Americans.
Perhaps you could give some indication when a general change of policy can be expected.
I am copying this to Gaminara, Commonwealth Office.
LAC
68 70
S. E. D. Street, Esq., C.M.G.,
Shore Division (N),
Ministry of Defence,
Old War Office Building,
Whitehall,
3.W.1.
(s. N. Burbridge)
Copy IM Nothe,
Commonorellt Trade Sear.
Dear PA
140 Young
Scientific Relation Sep.
ANG 2.12,67
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63
30 NOV.967
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