Snark (SM-62) Site Configuration
Construction of the Snark facility began in May 1956. The work was done by the J.R. Cianchete Construction Company of Pittsfield, Maine at a cost exceeding $6.8 million.
SAC built the sprawling Snark launch facility at the northeast corner of the base. Mounted on their mobile launch trailers, the missiles were stored in six large, single- story assembly and checkout buildings. The buildings, which looked much like aircraft hangars, measured 420 feet long by 80 feet wide. They were built alongside each other, each separated by a distance of approximately 450 feet.
In front of each building were two circular launch pads, each 160 feet in diameter, made of reinforced concrete between 10 and 12 inches thick. Upon receiving a launch order, the crews drove the launchers onto the launch pads, fired their missiles, and then cleared the pad for the next launch.
Other facilities built to support the Snark launch site included a power and water pumping plant measuring 160 by 102 feet; an engine run-up facility that was 99 by 61 feet; a two-story launch and surveillance building measuring 44 by 39 feet, and a 15,000-gallon fuel tank farm with a pump house and truck filling stand.