How many subs are capable of going down to the Titanic

[Jason D. Tiller]

Hi all,

This post is for Michael Cundiff. Michael, how many subs are capable of reaching the Titanic's depth? I've read where it is six subs, but Andrew Rogers posted a message saying it was four subs. He mentioned to post a message for you.

I'm very interested in finding out this information.

Best regards,

Jason

 

[Jason D. Tiller]

I should mention that the subs I know of are the Alvin (which is out of action right now as Andrew mentioned in his post), The Nautile, Mir 1 and 2, and the Shinkai which I just found out from Andrew.

I just need some clarification on this.

Best regards,

Jason

 

[Steve Kiger]

The US Navy has two DSRV's and a research sub (I believe called NR-1) that can achieve those depths, but they don't lend them out.

 

[Joshua Gulch]

Steve,
I'm not sure of the technical details of the Navy's DSV's, but here's the list of those presently in commission.

Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles
DSRV Mystic
DSRV Avalon

Submersible Research Vehicles
Submarine NR-1
USS Dolphin (AGSS 555)

Deep Submergence Vehicles
DSV 2 Alvin
DSV 4 Sea Cliff

(Source: All Hands Owners & Operator's Manual, 1999, p.19)

Josh.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Regretably, the NR-1 is only good for 3,000ft which is only a quarter of that required to reach the Titanic. The DSRV's are good for 5,000ft max. Still not enough. (Source, Jane's Fighting Ships, 2000-2001, pg 831) I don't have any depth information on the Dolphin available, but I don't think she's up to the job either.

Cordially,
Michael H. Standart

 

[Joshua Gulch]

Michael,
The Dolphin can dive to only 3000 ft, same as NR-1.

USS Dolphin Fact File

Josh.

 

[Joshua Gulch]

P.S.
Needless to say, the same site puts NR-1's max depth at 2375 ft.

Just FYI.

Josh

 

[Rob Ottmers]

Hallo,


Nautile (6000m), Mir I and II (6000m), Alvin (4500m), Shinkai6500 (6500m), Sea Cliff (6000m)??

-------------------
ALVIN
(http://www.marine.whoi.edu/ships/alvin/alvin.htm)
Alvin is currently undergoing a five month refit. See following link for live-cam feed.
(http://alvincam.whoi.edu/view/view.shtml)

MIR I and II
(http://www.sio.rssi.ru/index_en.htm)

NAUTILE
(http://www.ifremer.fr/fleet/systemes_sm/engins/nautile.htm)

SHINKAI6500
(http://www.jamstec.go.jp/jamstec-e/ships/shinkai3.html)

An interesting depth chart showing capabilities of the JAMSTEC research vessels.

(http://www.jamstec.go.jp/jamstec-e/ships/index.html)

SEA CLIFF
Was given to WHOI by the US Navy in 1998. I've heard nothing new about this since just after the annoucement in 98 that Sea Cliff was in storage. Anyone have news?

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Thanks Joshua. I was hoping my Janes or Combat fleets would have that information. I was a bit surprised when it didn't.

Cordially,
Michael H. Standart

 

[Jason D. Tiller]

Hi all,

While I was attending the THS Convention last month, I found out that their are six subs capable of going down to the Titanic. They are the Alvin, the SeaCliff, the Nautile, Mir 1 and 2, and the Shinkai.

Thank you for your help guys.

Best regards,

Jason

 

[Tarn Stephanos]

Are any deep sea subs under construction or planned to be built soon? There is tremendous demand in the fields of marine archaeology,geology and biology to build more subs. Im surprised there are so few...
But by 2012, expect to see a number of deep sea subs visting Titanic.

tarn Stephanos

 

[Michael H. Standart]

I would hope so Tarn. The trouble is that these things are so bloody expensive. That's why you don't see them produced in mass quantities.

 

[Michael Cundiff]

"...this is the NAUTILE, not just your ordinary yellow submarine...she took seven-years to build and cost $20,000,000." (Excerpt from "Return to the Titanic live Paris, France 1987)

Telly Savalas on-board the NADIR while moored at the AZORES, and pre-empting the 1987 live telecast from Paris, France.
__________________________________________________

You can imagine, like everything else in today's world...to build a deep-sea submersible...the cost has skyrocketed!!

Michael Cundiff
USA

 

[joel bleakley]

Hello The seacliff has been retired and most probably will never dive again. It is used for parts on alvin. Silvercrest is selling the RUS submersible built by Malachite for the russian ministry of geology and can dive to 6000m. They also built the submersible Consul which also dives to 6000m. Both would get to Titanic but are not yet in service. Both should be soon however. Woods Hole who operates the alvin which first explored Titanic are about to start building a new 6500m submersible.

 

[joel bleakley]

Hello All,

For those interested in new submersibles being built it looks as though construction on Woods Hole's new Alvin replacement submersible has started.

It also seems that either the Consul or Rus submersibles has completed sea trials and may be in use. If anyone has more information on these submersibles I'd certainly be interested. From what I've seen of the design however they seem to have a horrible over hang at the front which I imagine would limit your view upwards.

Finally there are pages on the net claiming that China is building a 7000m submersible. Most of these however are in chinese just like most on the Consul submersible are in Russian.

If anyone can read these I'd love to know what they say.

Joel.