Lab During the
First World War, the
U.S. Bureau of Mines was initially responsible for the research and development (R&D) of
chemical weapons for the
War Department, though later the responsibility would be transferred to the newly minted U.S. Army Chemical Warfare Service, the predecessor to the
U.S. Army Chemical Corps. Much of their research was conducted at
American University and
Catholic University in
Washington, D.C.; however, the Bureau needed a top-secret research facility away from the hustle and bustle of a major city, which at the time were believed to be filled with spies and sympathizers of Germany, and thus a security risk. The Bureau selected the American Potash Corp Plant at
Jones Point, NY to be the site of the new clandestine chemical weapons research laboratory. The outpost was located on the western shore of the
Hudson River, just south of
Iona Island which at the time was the site of a U.S. Navy weapons depot, the Iona Island Arsenal.
Scientists One notable scientist at the site was Walter T. Scheele, code-named Dr. Smith. Scheele was a German-American chemist who developed explosive devices as part of a German terrorist cell operating in the United States during World War I, responsible for planting bombs on American merchant ships. After members of the cell were arrested by the
FBI, and Scheele's involvement was discovered, he fled to
Cuba. He was later arrested by Cuban authorities and extradited to the United States. As part of a plea agreement, Scheele agreed to assist in the United States' development of
chemical weapons. He was brought to the Jones Point facility by his handler,
FBI Special Agent Warren Grimes, code-named Warren White.
Thomas Edison's chemist, Bruce Silver, visited the site to work directly with Walter Scheele.
Research The two primary research projects at the Jones Point Lab were the development of
liquid oxygen as an explosive and the incendiary compound code-named Helline (hexamethylenetetramine / sodium peroxide). The
Palisades Interstate Park Commission granted permission to scientists at Jones Point to conduct experiments with Helline at a nearby abandoned quarry as well as other condemned buildings in the area. Experiments were conducted with projectiles and rockets which launched fire and debris into the air that could be seen by the surrounding populace. Experiments were also conducted on the
Hudson River, both on the surface and underwater. Research into other chemical compounds for military use was also conducted the Jones Point facility, including the chemical warfare agents
phosgene and
mustard gas.
Closing ==Hudson River Reserve Fleet==