https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/dfe34ca9c5ac730107a94701c5433ada.pdf d0b4bda8fb7a552a468287396473bd59 PDF Text Text \y • Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act ' Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information **m*%mw*W ' SECftlSl HQS • H QS i2£fr#_*® , 5115-050-1 > Mr. J.A* MaeDonald, Assistant Secretary, Hie Treasury Board* Confederation Building, Ottawa, Ontario, Dear Sir: . " . '. This letter deals with a proposal to increase the Scope of project EASE by expanding the automatic telegraph relay equipment to provide service to the intelligence community. The intelligence community is at present served by a special comunications system known as "HIDKA" with circuits to the United Kingdom and United States intelligence agencies and to the Canadian civil and militaiy departments concerned.-. The focal point of this system is a manual "torn tape" relay centre at Ottawa Wireless Station, LEITEBU Within the past year studies undertaken for the Chiefs of ' *. Staff have indicated the need to relocate this relay centre to safer accommodation outside Ottawa. * One possible solution Is to expand the automatic relay centre at KASB to serve also the intelligence community. It has now been determined that this expansion is practicable at a cost of 1700,000.00. This would include the transfer of the radio receiving terminal, and would release fifty-four civilian operating staff of the sixty-four now employed. Only ten operators would be needed in peacetime at BASS to deal with the added portion and none in wartime* In addition to effecting a major economy in manpower without interfering with KASE operations, and providing safe accommodation more cheaply than by any other scheme, the proposal effects an expansion of the BASE relay which would be impossible in time of war. The expansion will increase the growth capacity of EASE from 13 to 16 circuit!* while at the same time providing 21 circuits for HIBRA* This growth capacity for EASE is considered sufficient to meet foreseeable needs, and the proposal has been agreed by the Director, Emergency Measures Organization. , The manufacturer's schedule is such that he cannot incorporate the expansion and meet the activation date for EASE unless advice to amend his contract is received by 27 April 1962. After this date, the expansion would involve either a delay in activation or else closing down the whole station for several weeks at some future date. In view of this timing I have requested the Deputy Minister of the Department of Defence Production to submit to your staff an amendment to the existing contract for this equipment covering Part I below. The total cost of $700,000.00 falls into three ccaaponenta: a* Part Is #90,000.00 to enable the manufacturer to supply additional relay cabinet equipment and Biodify the storage drums in order to incorporate the esq^aasion prior to final assembly. This is the urgent part of the project, since it involves basic design changes which must be made ijowj •-./2 SECRET 000291 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act * ^Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information -• Z p^ M|) ^^5 - b . Part l i t . • 1410,000.00 to complete the expansion of'.the automatic relay equipment. This i s less urgent i coa_tiitm©ttt authority for t h i s amount will be requested separately. c# Part I I I j #200,000.00 to transfer the radio receiving terminal fr?m Ottawa (LEIfBIE) to CABP, and provide terminal equipment to connect the various "HSlDaAw circuits through the GASP comaafflic4tions plant to the expanded automatic relay system* This amount will be included in 1963/64 estimates. I t i s , therefore, recommended that authority be granted t o increase the scope of project EASE by incorporating communications for the intelligence comualty in the automatic telegraph relay equipment at a t o t a l cost of #700,000.00. Coaasitment Authority in the amount of $90,000.00 which i s required to implement this project in 1962/63 i s available within the departmental leeway on Project JSASfi* The t o t a l of #90,000.00 will be expended in 1962/63* No provision was made in 1962/63 Estimates for t h i s expenditure j and the cash authorised for the Army's major construction program i s now fully obligated for National Survival projects and essential items ©f normal Army program. Furthermore, no surplus cash can be forecast in the 1962/63 major equipment primaries within Vote 203* I t may, therefore, become necessary to seek authority for additional cash, by way of Supplementary Estimates, l a t e r in the 1962/63 fiscal year. • tours sincerely, '. - . ' . . . • .;.-•' -.'• E • ~ • • \. ' Original Signed by E. B„ ARMSTRONG I. Deputy --Minister (E.B. Armstrong) Deputy Minister f ,' 2-Sl7l/jid SECRET 000292 �Document disdosedM^^fffiAxc^ t&frformation Act - Document divulgue e A|SjjP|defl-QoitjR/gblaces a I'information HQiB 1260-E-G J'SO 2101 • HQ3 5115~050«1 r\ _*_!!-. 2 a 4 1 2 2 1 I J hpx 62* m 1. This memorandum reootaaead© that tha mop® of BASE b© increased by expanding th© automatic tele. graph relay equipment to provide service to til© intelligene© ©©isaunity. 2. This amalgamation of th© rtHSl)RA" telegraph j?©lay system with that of EASE will ©ffeet a ©on©ides* able economy! will provide protected accommodation for "HtDRA" more cheaply thon ©ay other sehese* and will greatly enhance the capability of UASBto © degree which would be impossible to ©orry out in time of war. 3. Tho ©salgaiaatton will not interfere with the operation of EASE® end hoe been egreed by the Mr©etor* laaergeney iieaaiireo Organisation.* 4. A detailed appreciation ie contained in ciemoranatp HQTS 1250-36 m 2095 C& Sigs J doted 17 Apr 62 f her©under* 5. Tour signature of the letter at flyleaf to Seeretarys Treasury Board, Is recommended* „ .Si**1n Ql»--^^' un^inal Signed of H L Meuser Brigediar-i pQMG(W&Q) .. , {mi i:oneel) Hal-Oen SECRET 000293 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information ^''•"_&ca&_u'' to* > M E M O R A N D U M HQTS 1250-36 ID 2095 (D Sigs) / / A p r 62 CGS (thru DMI and DGPO) Relocation of HYDRA Telegraph Relay Centre 1. Attached as Annex "A'* is a proposal to relocate the HYDRA telegraph relay centre now locited at Ottawa Wireless Station at the cost of approx $700,000. The proposed relocation site is EASE at Carp, Ontario, 2o The timing of this project is very rigid in order to phase it into the already approved automatic- telegraph relay system at EASE. Any delays in meeting the financial requirements will delay the cut-over of the relay centre now being Installed or rule this project out indefinitely. 3* In order to achieve this relocation, it will be necessary to: a„ Obtain TB approval by 27 Apr 62 to commit $90,000 of 1962/63 funds to change the equipment now in production to cater to the HYDRA needs„ b* Include $610,000 in 1963/64 estimates to cover the remaining costs of the project. In addition, commitment authority will be required for $410,000 of this cmount to place an order for the additional equipment this year. 4. Approval in principle is requested for this relocation so that necessary submission may be initiated. D Sigs Information JIC ( t h r u DMI) JTS ••Pf E: - .'•'''•' SECRET^ >i: \.\[ 000294 �Qpp p C Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information to HQTS 1250-36 TD 2095 (D Sigs! dated /Jkpv 62 RELOCATION OF HXCKA TELEGRAPH RELAY CENTRE AIM 1, To obtain CGS approval for the relocation of the HYDRA telegraph relay centre from Ottawa Wireless Station, Leitrim, Ontario to EASE, at Carp, Ontario, to meet gavernmental requirements including those of the Canadian Intelligence Community. 2, The purpose of the proposed relocation is to provide a secure hardened site for this telegraph relay centre in event of an emergency,, The present location at LeitrirtE is within ten miles of the Parliament Buildings and is vulnerable to nuclear blast and fallout. BACKGROUND 3o The EASE plan provided for only a small DND component of the Minister, the Chiefs of Staff and the Coordinator, Joint Staff at Carp. As stated in Joint Planning Committee paper CSC 5-11-4-2 dated 4 Nov 59? para 17, a support staff was to be provided elsewhere,, Thereafter planning of communications for the DND Emergency Headquarters was carried out by JPC and JTC separately from EASE. The needs of Intelligence were first included in this plan in Annex raD'e to CSC 2206-1 (draft dated 17 Oct 61) and this included connections to HYDRA. Only from this time was the relocation of HYDTiA studied as a Staff requiramant to continue the provision of tripartite strategic warnings and service to the intelligence community. 4. In relocating the HYDRA relay centre which is the North American terminal of the system (making it a key communication centre), two courses are openj the first being integration into the EASE complex and the second relocating at a valley town in a completely independent and fallout protected centre. The first course is preferable because of economy and simplicity. 5o of the adding; 62 th* centre to the A study has been made in conjunction with the suppliers telegraph relay equipment concerning the feasibility of the HYDRA to the EASE facilities. At a meeting on 11 Apr General Manager of the Company confirmed that the relay could be expanded to meet HYDRA needs without detriment original EASE concept. 6* The US users of the system and the UK terminal have made plans to continue operations In an emergency. A copy of the British Foreign Office letter indicating their need for- continued communications is attached. 7„ Mr RB Curry, Director of the Emergency Measures Organisation., has agreed to the plan for the expansion of the EASE telegraph relay equipment to meet the HYDRA requirements. 9 © /*« 000295 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Donument divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information T -2. GENERAL 80 The HYDRA Telegraph Relay Centre operated by the Army Is the Canadian terminal of the Intelligence and diplomatic coaaunicatlons'••system with connections as follows! a London Traffic Centre which connects tos (1) Foreign Office (2) Ministry"of Defence (3) CJS(L) (4) GCHQ (5) Canada House (6) British Diplomatic Wireless Service (7) Commonwealth Relations Office (8) NATO HQ Paris, b. CSS&JS Coracen Ottawa, Co CBNRC Ottawa. do CIA Washington. e,„ ..NSA ^Washington. f, CJS Washington. gp Alert uTireless Station. h. Army Headquarters orraw»» i. External Affairs Ottawa. 3o British High Commission, Ottawa'.. British Embassy, Washington. British Representative United Nations, New Yorkc This telegraph relay centre handles on an average^ of 9 9.5 million groups of traffic per month. In addition to t h i s , on-line extension between CBNRC-GCHQ, and GCHQ-NSA handles roughly 6 million groups per month. 10. The telegraph relay centre Is manned by 64 communication and technical civilian personnel including supervisory staff. The t o t a l salaries of this staff are approximately $300,000 per annum. ,/3 EHs-P000296 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act - Wm^wpfZ ID iqnr TTSE^ ,*=!*, T—«. - Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information 3« PROPOSAL 11, It is proposed to relocate this telegraph relay centre in EASE integrating its operation with the automatic telegraph relay centre now being installed at Carp. This will involves a. Equipment - additional terminal equipment and receiving antennae for use with the automatic relay centre will be required to provide same facilities as now available at Leitrim. This equipment will cost approximately $700,000, b° Accommodation - is available in EASE without alteration to present layout to house the added facilities. ©• Personnel - during wartime, it Is considered that the currently authorized staff could man the enlarged relay centre by adopting longer working hours etc, but in peacetime it will be necessary to transfer approximately 10 civilian positions from Ottawa Wireless Station to military positions at EASE for operation of the HYDRA portion of the centre. *• Circuitry - landline circuits will be rerouted to Carp with negligible change in monthly rental. ADVANTAGES12, Relocation of the telegraph relay centre which is the most vulnerable part of the system will greatly improve the continuance of communications with users in Canada, US and UK in event of nuclear attack. 13, This installation will result in a net saving of civilian salaries of $250,000 per annum. This will offset the capital cost of equipment In under three years, 14, The installation will result In most efficient routing of traffic in that no delay will occur In the relay centre Itself as retransmission to the proper channel or channels is carried out automatically, 15* The present basic capacity of the relay centre will be raised from 72 to 96 circuits which will provide greater future expansion than originally planned for other government needs. 16, This arrangement will meet the requirements of users in their present emergency sites as required* 17, Space made available at Ottawa Wireless Station by relocating the HYDRA facilities would be used in a COMINT role. This station is continually being pressed to take on additional commitments in this field, 18, By carrying out relocation In this manner, it will be possible to take advantage of using common automatic telegraph relay equipment now being installed and considerable saving will result. This eliminates the requirement to: a. Secure a new site in a suitable Ottawa area location. b. Provide fall-out protected building with services, e* Provide necessary cable and antennae layout. d. Procure one automatic telegraph relay equipment at cost of approximately one million dollars. ,../4 ^ ^ - "> ; |( 000297 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur I'acces a I'information y^ v^ R matim ^-*w_A Ln-rrf _ -4- PISADVANTAOES 19. The commitment of 21 circuits to "HOTA" theoretically reduces the growth capacity available to EASE, but in fact such an expansion would be unlikely to be approved solely for EASE and would not be possible in time of emergency. The proposal increases the maintenance load and supervisory commitment but this is considered to be within the capability of the emergency staff. CONCLUSION 20. The relocation of the HYDRA telegraph relay centre would provide in peacetime all possible assurance of continued communications in an emergency. y •> T-' \y/.. x \ >i 000298 �O ' -__l-_•___« ^ OX-U.M>_, ________ !_________'E^ I v^j'f lyWY* 11 -^! r ~ ? > E N 0 m P | • f E : c?. \ 0 ? / i | EE ^-r-i "~ l Document disclosed under theficcess tcUnformation Act - -iForei'g_^dQ_g_l_^a1»deSi#¥u_;l«S6;7n/0™0t/0n ' ' " ^ ^ W I A L * January 25, 1962 Dear John, I am sorry not to have replied before this to your letter of December 22 in which you asked me about our plans for the use of the Hydra communications system in wartime, 2, I understand that British users, of whom the main ones are, as you say, the Embassy in Washington, the Delegation to the U,N, in New York and the High Commission in Canada in communication with Government Departments in Whitehall, account for about 31$ of the traffic carried over the system in peacetime. No doubt In wartime the system would be available for use by any of the surviving members. We should certainly hope to use it for communication from the Foreign Office to our Foreign Service posts in Washington and New York, for example, and arrangements will be made on the U.K. side for the U,K, terminal at the system to be transferred at the appropriate time to the site of the emergency Government HQ in war. I cannot at this stage say whether the Americans are similarly planning to transfer the Hydra terminal in the U.S, to their wartime site. This is a subject on which you may have more Information than ourselves? 3. I imagine that it would also be reasonable to expect Hydra to provide limited facilities for the Canadian, British and U,S, authorities generally if other means of trans-Atlantic communication failed. I am afraid we cannot estimate what the volume of traffic is likely to be, but it would undoubtedly be heavy, 4, If you agree. I think there is one precaution we should take now to ensure that your Hydra terminal,remains in touch with Foreign Service and C.R.O, posts in wartime. The DWS have issued crystals for two common frequencies to all their stations at Foreign Service and C.R.O, posts, so that, radio conditions permitting, there can be intercommunication between them even in the event of the complete elimination of DWS stations in the U.K. If your radio station,Is given similar crystals with appropriate instructions, it will be able in wartime to call any DWS station which radio conditions might bring within range. This facility would be most valuable for us and also, I think, useful to you for the transmission of your telegram through our posts to Canadian representatives. As soon as I have your agreement to this, the DWS will make the necessary arrangements. 5. I am sending a copy of your letter and my reply to Walker in the CRO in case he wishes to add anything, Mr John Starnes Deoartraent_f_wJA__l_*ra?. , A -'. - ^_-_-M---l---lf„ AL Aifairs, 01 ^_____H-_^p I I wadaf. , e4 Y o f s ®ve*» - 4 s 4 ^ G e d ) iU&-» Stephenson. / X.'^^-r , . >' 000299 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Hydra Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context HY00133 Title A name given to the resource Expansion of EASE Automatic Telegraph Relay Centre/Relocation of HYDRA Telegraph Relay Centre Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 04/17/1962 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Hydra Communications - Policy, RG24, 1250-36 Vol. 2, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Department of National Defence Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Canadian Crown Subject The topic of the resource Emergency planning, Emergency communications, EASE Description An account of the resource Series of correspondence and memorandums pertaining to relocation of HYDRA at Leitrim to EASE. Accompanying letter from EB Armstrong, Deputy Minister of National Defence to J.A. MacDonald of the Treasury Board to make funds available to ensure that HYDRA can be incorporated into EASE. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Canada Declassified Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource en