The Hindu : dated August 10, 1952: Britain's first atomic test

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Saturday, Aug 10, 2002

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dated August 10, 1952: Britain's first atomic test

The British Admiralty, setting the stage for Britain's first Atomic explosion, on August 8, warned aircraft and shipping to keep clear of an area of about 23,500 square miles encircling the uninhibited Monte Bello islands. These islands, which lay about twelve miles from the north-west coast of Western Australia were chosen for Britain's atomic test earlier this year. Equipment for the explosion was on its way to the islands for the first test. Eleven ships including the British aircraft carrier Campania which was believed to be carrying Britain's first atomic weapon were known to be taking part in the test. No official date for the explosion had been announced but the day's warning suggested it would be soon. The Admiralty announcement said the testing area ``declared dangerous to aircraft and shipping until further notice.'' It added that ``all possible precautions would be taken to ensure that no hazard to life or property would occur within the danger area'' which was about two-thirds the size of Ireland. The perimeter of the explosion area was roughly in the form of a rectangle. About 200 miles long from east to west, tapering off into a triangle, the tip of which was about 20 miles north of the mainland. Depth of the area from north to south was about 155 miles.

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