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Socorro, New Mexico: Chunk of "Jumbo" From First A-Bomb Blast

Displayed outdoors, a chunk of "Jumbo," a massive steel tank that was supposed to enclose the first A-bomb.

Address:
Center St., Socorro, NM
Directions:
Midtown. At the intersection of Center St. and Plaza St., on the south edge of Socorro's town plaza.
Admission:
Free
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Jumbo fragment.

Fragment of "Jumbo" from the Manhattan Project

On the midtown plaza in Socorro is a plinth with a piece of "Jumbo," a 214-ton steel container that was part of the Manhattan Project. Although 800 feet from the first atomic blast, it was not used for its original purpose: to contain the radioactive material in case the first A-bomb misfired. Instead, its ends were blown out with conventional explosives. Most of Jumbo is still at Trinity, but this piece sits as a massive, slightly rusty, blast-pitted souvenir.

[John Wilson, 07/19/2016]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Recycled Parts Flying SaucerRecycled Parts Flying Saucer, Socorro, NM - < 1 mi.
The Very Large ArrayThe Very Large Array, Socorro, NM - 42 mi.
Trinity Atomic Test SiteTrinity Atomic Test Site, White Sands, NM - 36 mi.
In the region:
Giant Rattlesnake in the Median, Albuquerque, NM - 68 mi.

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