Schlosser 



INTRODUCTION 



Oceanographic research received a new tool with the acquisi- 

 tion of the bathyscaph TRIESTE in September 1958. Scientists at the 

 Navy Electronics Laboratory began developing techniques that would 

 allow nnaximum utilization of the bathyscaph for data collection. As 

 technical competence increased the acquisition of more meaningful 

 data was made possible by specially-developed instrumentation. 

 Valuable knowledge was gained also from diving experience on the 

 French bathyscaph, ARCHIMEDE, and on TRIESTE II. The minimal- 

 payload Cousteau Diving Saucer was utilized to conduct shallow-water 

 investigations . 



Due to the payload and attachment restrictions of this latter 

 vehicle, new instrumentation techniques were necessitated. One of 

 the most important lessons learned was that data collection applic-r 

 able to the oceanographic disciplines of acoustics, biology and 

 geology was possible from any manned submersible if the instrunnen- 

 tation could be designed with a degree of flexibility to allow this 

 interchange. 



Paramount to any instrumentation system was the requirement 

 for adequate ship facilities to support the submersible and the 

 scientific program. 



DISCUSSION 



The various scientific disciplines at the Navy Electronics Lab- 

 oratory engaged in the military aspects of oceanography require a 

 submersible with a complete -facility support concept . The support 

 requirements include: (1) a surface support ship; (2) extended at-sea 

 facilities with adequate berthing; and (3), the personnel to maintain 

 and operate the ship and submersible. This service was best avail- 

 able through lease of the Westinghouse DEEPSTAR DS-4000 and its 

 support facilities (see Fig. 1), which provided the scientific 

 community with a highly mobile manned-submersible system and 

 freed the technical community to concentrate on the instrumentation 

 required for each particular scientist within his discipline. 



By merging a leased diving service to a scientific program 

 with firm mission profiles , a manned-submersible oceanographic 

 system was established. The leasing service was based on "oper- 

 ating days" throughout the period of contract in order to satisfy the 

 quantity of dives required. 



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