APPENDIX C 

 EQUIPMENT FOR ALVIN SALVAGE OPERATIONS 



SALVAGE LINES 



Selection of a lift line was particularly significant because a long line lift from such a 

 great depth had never been attempted, and the behavior of such a long lift line was not eas- 

 ily and accurately predictable. No experience was available upon which to base selection of 

 the line. The following factors were considered in selecting a line: 



— Adequate strength to make the lift with a large factor of safety. 



— Suitable elasticity to respond to shock loading without undue ill-effects. 



— Maximum flexibility for ease of handling. 



— Minimum in- water weight. 



Using these parameters and surveying available lines, three choices were presented: 



— A specially made piece of Columbian 4 1/2-inch double-braided nylon 

 Plimoor nominally 7,000 feet in length. 



— Several pieces of Samson 2-in-l 4 1/2-inch double-braided nylon which 

 could be joined by splicing. 



— Four 1,600-foot pieces of 8-inch polypropylene which could be joined 

 by splicing. 



4'/>-inch (circumference) Columbian Double-braided Nylon Plimoor Line 



Because the Columbian line fulfilled all the requirements and had the advantage of 

 being a single piece of line thus losing none of its strength in splices, it was chosen as the 

 primary lift line. This single piece of line, with a breaking strength of 53,000 pounds, was 

 initially wound on a reel which was to be attached to ALUMINAUT during its descent to 

 the bottom. After the reel was damaged, the line was removed from the reel and wound on 

 a lift system on MIZAR (the lift system consisted of a double drum traction winch and a 

 Naval Oceanographic Office take-up winch). 



4'/4-inch (circumference) Samson Braided Nylon Line 



This line, 7,000 feet long with six factory splices, was used as a backup lift line. It had 

 a breaking strength of 53,000 pounds. 



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