NEL MANNED SUBMERSIBLE OCEANOGRAPHIC SYSTEM 



Modification 1 



A. J. Schlosser 

 U. S, Navy Electronics Laboratory- 

 San Diego, California 92152 



Abstract: Manned oceanographic research within the Navy 

 utilizing deep research vehicles began -with the assignment of the 

 bathyscaph TRIESTE I to the Navy Electronics Laboratory in Sep- 

 tember 1958. In June 1966 the first complete manned submersible 

 system was established by the leasing of the Westinghouse Diving 

 Service (DEEPSTAR DS-4000) and integrated with the scientific and 

 professional capability established at NEL for eight years. During 

 this eight -year period the technical and professional experience was 

 gained from the use of the bathyscaphs TRIESTE I, ARCHIMEDE, 

 and TRIESTE II, and the Cousteau Diving Saucer, This achieve- 

 ment provided an integrated and diversified system capable of 

 conducting geological, biological, acoustical and physical oceanog- 

 raphy investigations. Geological investigation systems involved 

 use of coring devices, shear measurements of the sea floor, and 

 photography of the various geological features prominent in the area. 

 Biological investigations used listening devices, sampling methods 

 of biological specimens and tracking of the scattering layer coordin- 

 ated with echo soundings from a surface ship. Acoustical investiga- 

 tions were made throughout the water column measuring sound 

 speed, pressure and temperature. Shear velocity through the 

 bottom was measured by an explosive source and geophones. Addi- 

 tional investigations were accomplished by probes containing trans- 

 ducers implanted into the sea floor. Physical oceanography results 

 were obtained by water -sampling tennperature probes at various in- 

 crements above the sea floor. The above instrumentation systems 

 will be discussed. Manned submersibles, unique as they may be, 

 are ineffective tools unless integrated into an oceanographic system 

 with specific scientific mission profiles. 



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