HOP Load Line Operations

Copyright 2011 FormerMilitarySites.com There were 8 Load Line and 4 Igniter Lines built in 1941 as part of the Hoosier Operating Plant (HOP). These facilities were constructed to load bagged charges for large caliber artillery The Igniter Lines were used to load the igniter charges for artillery, and mortar charges The artillery igniters contain black powder and the mortars contain a nitroglycerin based material, both of which are more sensitive than single base propellant. For these reasons, the igniter lines are significantly smaller than the load lines. There is an igniter in each round, the purpose of which is to ignite the propelling charge. When these photos were taken (2008), all igniter lines had already been removed and Load Line 2 was the last of the original load lines still standing. All of the original Load Lines were exactly alike.

Copyright 2011 FormerMilitarySites.com Load Lines were built in a modified “W” configuration. When viewed from the canteen, as in the next photo, the left leg of the “W” was called the “a” side; the right leg was called the “b” side of the line. Each side was a mirror image of the other. Each side had a receiving magazine for propellant which was located at the top end of each side of our “W”. A covered walkway led to the loading wing. An igniter service magazine was located between the propellant magazine and the loading wing Powder was moved in drums to the loading wing. It went past the Foreman’s Office on the corner to an elevator for transport to the second floor of the loading wing. Safety was a primary concern. Signs posted in each area defined the type and quantity of powder and the maximum number of personnel allowed there at any one time.

Shipping Magazine Receiving Magazine Receiving Magazine Crating Shed Igniter Service Magazine Igniter Service Magazine Loading Covered Walkways Loading Assembly Assembly Canteen Copyright 2011. FormerMilitarySites.com

Copyright 2011. FormerMilitarySites.com When powder reached the second floor it was dumped into a hopper. The first floor of the load line contained a series of rooms called loading booths. There was one hopper to serve each load booth. The configuration of the load booths was changed for each type of charge loaded. Many families of charges (105mm, 155mm) consist of several increments, which are individual bags of different sizes that , in total, comprise a single charge. Only one family of charges was produced at one time on a Load Line or Igniter Line. In the event of danger, the operator was told to immediately exit the building and use the escape chute to get to the ground.

Copyright 2011. FormerMilitarSites.com The first floor of each load line consisted of 8 load booths (rooms). There were 4 load booths on each side of the building, with a center aisle between the load booths. The load booths would be set up as required for the product being produced. They typically contained tables, scales, and sewing machines. In later years a rapid reacting deluge system was installed. Bags, produced in the Bag Room, were delivered to each booth and filled with powder. The powder was manufactured in the Propellant and Explosives (P&E) manufacturing area, originally the Indiana Ordnance Works (IOW). The filled increment was weighed twice and then sewn shut. Great care was taken to prevent the propagation of fire from any area to adjacent areas in the event of accidental ignition, so a series of interlocking doors with a transfer surface connected each load booth to the center aisle. The operator would place a finished charge in the transfer surface and close the door. This action opened the door in the center aisle, allowing an operator there to remove the finished charge and place it on a conveyor for transport to the assembly wing.

Copyright 2011 FormerMilitarySites.com The center aisle conveyor transported finished increments to the assembly wing, located at the bottom of the “W”. There they were assembled into a finished charge and placed into a cans. A drawing of the 155mm M3A1 finished charge is included to illustrate. A covered walkway ran up the center legs of the “W” to the crating shed, with a conveyor located under the roof but separated from the walkway. The cans were transported to the crating shed on the conveyor where they were sealed, the air evacuated, leak tested to ensure a good seal, and palletized. Sealed cans were transported to the shipping magazine for pick up. If the finished charges were stored on site instead of shipped out, they were placed in one of the underground igloos until needed.

Components of a Propelling Charge

Copyright 2011 FormerMilitarySites.com Each side of a load line also had restrooms and a break room. At the bottom center of our “W” was a covered walkway to the canteen which served both the “a” and “b” sides of the Load Line. Employees ate their lunch in the canteen. The back part of the canteen housed a scale repair shop and the mechanical Equipment required for the Load Line: boiler, air compressor, etc.

Copyright 2010 FormerMilitarySites.com Explosive facilities are assumed to always be contaminated with explosive particles. The following categories, which are no longer used, formerly defined explosives contamination levels and were in effect when the plant was active: • 1X – (X) Substantial contamination (explosive residue) exists. • 3X - (XXX) Cleaning has removed surface contamination, but significant amounts may remain in less obvious places. • 5X - (XXXXX) This level applies when no significant amounts of contaminants remain • 0 – (zero) Articles, equipment or buildings were never contaminated, The ground and buildings remains at INAAP are being transferred to the Clark County Reuse Authority. Before transfer, they must be cleaned to the equivalent of the former 5X status. The traditional method for achieving this was to apply high heat via open flame for an extended period. That method was used on some facilities; alternate methods are currently being utilized

There were once many of these facilities in the US. They produced the materials used to defeat the Axis powers in World War II. Creating these facilities necessitated the displacement of the prior land owners. They were built on a rapid timetable and required the labor of many workers to build and operate. The IOW and HOP were combined into the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant (INAAP, Pronounced IN’-app) and produced materials used in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many of the materials produced at INAAP are still in the active inventory. We salute the displaced landowners, the people that built and operated the facility, the taxpayers that funded the effort, and most of all the military personnel that fought our country’s wars to secure and hold our freedom. May we never forget. Copyright 2011. FormerMilitarySites.com

Copyright 2010 FormerMilitarySites.com Large sections of the former load line area have been redeveloped as the River Ridge Commerce Center. The following photographs show what the area looks like today. Thanks to Kerry Dupaquier, David Hackel and the River Ridge Commerce Center.

HOP Load Line Operations

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HOP Load Line Operations