Trieste II (Bathyscaphe): Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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The original ''Trieste'' design was heavily modified by the [[Naval Electronics Laboratory]] in [[San Diego, California]] and built at the [[Mare Island Naval Shipyard]]. ''Trieste II'' incorporated the original [[Terni]], Italian-built sphere used in [[Bathyscaphe Trieste|''Trieste'']], after it was made redundant by the new high-pressure sphere cast by the German [[Krupp]] Steelworks. The ''Trieste'' sphere was suspended from an entirely new float, more seaworthy and streamlined than the original, but operating on identical principles. Completed in early 1964, ''Trieste II'' was placed on board [[USNS Private Francis X. McGraw (T-AK-241)|USNS ''Francis X. McGraw'' (T-AK241)]] and shipped, via the Panama Canal, to Boston.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |
The original ''Trieste'' design was heavily modified by the [[Naval Electronics Laboratory]] in [[San Diego, California]] and built at the [[Mare Island Naval Shipyard]]. ''Trieste II'' incorporated the original [[Terni]], Italian-built sphere used in [[Bathyscaphe Trieste|''Trieste'']], after it was made redundant by the new high-pressure sphere cast by the German [[Krupp]] Steelworks. The ''Trieste'' sphere was suspended from an entirely new float, more seaworthy and streamlined than the original, but operating on identical principles. Completed in early 1964, ''Trieste II'' was placed on board [[USNS Private Francis X. McGraw (T-AK-241)|USNS ''Francis X. McGraw'' (T-AK241)]] and shipped, via the Panama Canal, to Boston.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2016 |title=Trieste II (DSV 1) |url=https://navalunderseamuseum.org/trieste-ii/ |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=United States Naval Undersea Museum}}</ref> |
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Commanded by Lt Comdr. John B. Mooney Jr., with co-pilot Lt. John H. Howland and Capt. Frank Andrews, ''Trieste II'' conducted dives in the vicinity of the loss site of {{USS|Thresher|SSN-593|2}} – operations commenced by the first ''Trieste'' the year before. She recovered bits of wreckage, positively fixing the remains as that of the lost ''Thresher'', in September 1964. |
Commanded by Lt Comdr. John B. Mooney Jr., with co-pilot Lt. John H. Howland and Capt. Frank Andrews, ''Trieste II'' conducted dives in the vicinity of the loss site of {{USS|Thresher|SSN-593|2}} – operations commenced by the first ''Trieste'' the year before. She recovered bits of wreckage, positively fixing the remains as that of the lost ''Thresher'', in September 1964. |
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Between September 1965 and May 1966, ''Trieste II'' again underwent extensive modification and conversion at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, but there is no clear record that she was ever operated in that new configuration, i.e., the addition of [[skeg]]s or outriggers on both sides of the sphere. |
Between September 1965 and May 1966, ''Trieste II'' again underwent extensive modification and conversion at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, but there is no clear record that she was ever operated in that new configuration, i.e., the addition of [[skeg]]s or outriggers on both sides of the sphere. |
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[[Image:TRIESTE II.jpg|thumb |
[[Image:TRIESTE II.jpg|thumb|''Trieste II'' in its third configuration.]] |
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During that same time period, work was under way on a third configuration of the bathyscaphe. This work resulted in yet a new appearance for the ''Trieste II'', and included the installation of a new pressure sphere, designed for operation to {{convert|20,000|ft|m}}. |
During that same time period, work was under way on a third configuration of the bathyscaphe. This work resulted in yet a new appearance for the ''Trieste II'', and included the installation of a new pressure sphere, designed for operation to {{convert|20,000|ft|m}}. |
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As the bathyscaphe continued her operations as a test vehicle for the deep submergence program, she qualified four officers as "hydronauts" – the beginning of a burgeoning oceanographic operation. ''Trieste II'''s valuable experience in deep submergence operations has helped in the design and construction of other deep-diving submersibles which could be used in rescuing crews and recovering objects from submarines in distress below levels reachable by conventional methods. |
As the bathyscaphe continued her operations as a test vehicle for the deep submergence program, she qualified four officers as "hydronauts" – the beginning of a burgeoning oceanographic operation. ''Trieste II'''s valuable experience in deep submergence operations has helped in the design and construction of other deep-diving submersibles which could be used in rescuing crews and recovering objects from submarines in distress below levels reachable by conventional methods. |
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[[Image:TriesteIIEquipmentConfiguration.jpg|300px|thumb |
[[Image:TriesteIIEquipmentConfiguration.jpg|300px|thumb|Equipment configuration.]] |
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This unique craft was listed only as "equipment" in the Navy inventory until the autumn of 1969. On 1 September 1969, ''Trieste II'' was placed in service, with the hull number X-1. She was reclassified as a deep submergence vehicle (DSV) on 1 June 1971. |
This unique craft was listed only as "equipment" in the Navy inventory until the autumn of 1969. On 1 September 1969, ''Trieste II'' was placed in service, with the hull number X-1. She was reclassified as a deep submergence vehicle (DSV) on 1 June 1971. |
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==Awards== |
==Awards== |
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*[[Navy Unit Citation|Navy Unit Commendation]] with star<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History of the Bathyscaph Trieste |url=https://www.bathyscaphtrieste.org/#:~:text=After%20completion%20of%2015%20dives,Unit%20Commendation%20after%20this%20deployment. |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=www.bathyscaphtrieste.org}}</ref> |
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{{unreferenced section|date=October 2021}} |
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*[[ |
*[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]] with star<ref name=":0" /> |
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*[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]] with star |
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*[[Navy E Ribbon]] |
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*[[National Defense Service Medal]] with star |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Latest revision as of 22:31, 21 November 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2023) |
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Trieste II |
| Builder | Mare Island Naval Shipyard |
| Completed | 1964 |
| In service | 1 September 1969 |
| Out of service | 1980 |
| Reclassified |
|
| Fate | Preserved at the Naval Undersea Museum |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Deep-submergence vehicle |
| Displacement | 46 long tons (47 t) |
| Length | 67 ft (20 m) |
| Beam | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Draft | 12 ft 5 in (3.78 m) |
| Test depth | 20,000 ft (6,100 m) |
| Complement | 2 |
Trieste II (DSV-1) was the United States Navy's first bathyscaphe purchased from its Swiss designers, and the successor to Trieste.
History
[edit]The original Trieste design was heavily modified by the Naval Electronics Laboratory in San Diego, California and built at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Trieste II incorporated the original Terni, Italian-built sphere used in Trieste, after it was made redundant by the new high-pressure sphere cast by the German Krupp Steelworks. The Trieste sphere was suspended from an entirely new float, more seaworthy and streamlined than the original, but operating on identical principles. Completed in early 1964, Trieste II was placed on board USNS Francis X. McGraw (T-AK241) and shipped, via the Panama Canal, to Boston.[1]
Commanded by Lt Comdr. John B. Mooney Jr., with co-pilot Lt. John H. Howland and Capt. Frank Andrews, Trieste II conducted dives in the vicinity of the loss site of Thresher – operations commenced by the first Trieste the year before. She recovered bits of wreckage, positively fixing the remains as that of the lost Thresher, in September 1964.
Between September 1965 and May 1966, Trieste II again underwent extensive modification and conversion at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, but there is no clear record that she was ever operated in that new configuration, i.e., the addition of skegs or outriggers on both sides of the sphere.
During that same time period, work was under way on a third configuration of the bathyscaphe. This work resulted in yet a new appearance for the Trieste II, and included the installation of a new pressure sphere, designed for operation to 20,000 feet (6,100 m).
As the bathyscaphe continued her operations as a test vehicle for the deep submergence program, she qualified four officers as "hydronauts" – the beginning of a burgeoning oceanographic operation. Trieste II's valuable experience in deep submergence operations has helped in the design and construction of other deep-diving submersibles which could be used in rescuing crews and recovering objects from submarines in distress below levels reachable by conventional methods.
This unique craft was listed only as "equipment" in the Navy inventory until the autumn of 1969. On 1 September 1969, Trieste II was placed in service, with the hull number X-1. She was reclassified as a deep submergence vehicle (DSV) on 1 June 1971.
On 25 April 1972, Trieste II recovered a satellite package called a "bucket" weighing several hundred pounds from a depth of greater than 16,000 feet (4,900 m), a record at the time.[2] Trieste II (DSV-1) continued her active service in the Pacific Fleet into 1980.
The Trieste class DSV were replaced by the Alvin class DSV, as exemplified by the famous Alvin (DSV-2). The Alvins are more capable, more maneuverable, less fragile, but also can not dive as deep, reaching only a maximum of 20,000 feet (6,100 m) (for the Sea Cliff (DSV-4)).[citation needed]
Trieste II is now preserved as a museum ship at the Naval Undersea Museum, Keyport, Washington.
Awards
[edit]- Navy Unit Commendation with star[3]
- Meritorious Unit Commendation with star[3]
See also
[edit]- Deep-submergence vehicle – Self-propelled deep-diving crewed submersible
- Deep-submergence rescue vehicle – Submersible used for rescue of people from disabled submarines and submersibles
- DSV Alvin – Crewed deep-ocean research submersible (DSV-2)
References
[edit]- ^ "Trieste II (DSV 1)". United States Naval Undersea Museum. September 23, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
- ^ Polmar, Norman; White, Michael (2010). Project Azorian: the CIA and the Raising of the K-129 (null ed.). Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-690-2.
- ^ a b "History of the Bathyscaph Trieste". www.bathyscaphtrieste.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
External links
[edit]
- An Underwater Ice Station Zebra: Recovering a Secret Spy Satellite Capsule from 16,400 Feet Below the Pacific Ocean
- Trieste II
- History of the Bathyscaph Trieste
- FNRS-2
- HNSA Ship Page: RV Trieste
- Trieste Program Dive Log from the Collection of the Naval Undersea Museum
