Arming Mechanisms Auctioned for $167,500

["Richard F. Orthen" <rorthen@EARTHSCIENCES.NET>]

>From today's IEM newslaunch.  It's hard to believe that the arming

mechanisms wouldn't have been curated in a museum.



June 12, 2002 - Associated Press - U.S. Tries to Stop Atomic Bomb Sale -

Parts from the atomic bomb dropped over Hiroshima were auctioned for

$167,500 Tuesday - but the government says the sale is a breach of national

security and wants to block it. Pending the outcome of litigation by the

Justice Department, Butterfields Auctioneers Inc. agreed to hold onto the

arming mechanisms from the bomb dropped from the Enola Gay. The B-29 bomber

dropped the atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945, killing

roughly 140,000 people. The Justice Department said in court papers Tuesday

the internal configuration of the thumb-sized plugs - one of which was used

to activate the real bomb - is classified. The mechanisms work similar to

the pin on a grenade. ``Their design is classified as secret, restricted

data,'' said federal prosecutor Steven Saltiel. Butterfields spokesman Levi

Morgan said the government's case is ``without merit.'' The government is

seeking a court order prohibiting a San Diego physicist-turned-real estate

developer from taking possession of the plugs. A hearing was set for Friday.

A federal judge denied the government's request Tuesday to block the auction

from Butterfields' San Francisco office and over the Internet. Clay Perkins,

who bought the two thumb-sized devices, said they have great personal and

historical value. He said the idea of nuclear power inspired him to embark

on his first career as a physicist. ``They are arguably the most significant

physical objects to come out of the 20th century,'' said Perkins, 68. ``They

are the only thing left of the first atomic bomb.'' Prosecutors also said

the plugs are the government's property, not that of the Enola Gay crew

member who put them up for auction.



Richard F. Orthen  CHMM

Sr. Project Manager

Earth Sciences Consultants, Inc.

One Triangle Lane

Export, PA  15632

724/733-3000

rorthen@earthsciences.net









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