Figure 13. View of AL VIN's Stern Propeller Broken Away from Hull at Time of Accident. 

 Hydraulic hoses kept this section attached to main portion of ALVIN. 



maneuverability, a failed Straza sonar, and having expended all battery and life support sys- 

 tem endurance, ALUMINAUT was ordered to leave everything in place and to return to the 

 surface. She surfaced shortly after 0830, 19 August, for repairs and battery recharge. 



High winds and heavy seas made battery recharge impossible. Waves of 5 to 7 feet were 

 breaking over ALUMINAUT, and seawater was pouring into her hatches, opened for the re- 

 charging operation, causing grounds in the submersible. Closing the hatches during battery 

 charging was not possible because it was necessary to ventilate the boat to remove hydrogen 



24 



