Aluminaut

Aluminaut. . Design and Innovation: The Aluminaut represents a significant achievement in nautical history as the world's first aluminum deep research submersible. Built with a 6.5 inch forged aluminum inner hull, Aluminaut was designed to dive depths of 15,000 feet while carrying a payload up to 6,000 pounds - far greater than any deep submersible of its day. This is especially significant as the Aluminaut only weighs 80.9 tons, about half of the weight of traditional steel models. , Originally imagined in 1942 by J. Louis Reynolds Medals Company, the Aluminaut came to fruition in 1964, after many years of innovative development and fabrication. The driving force behind the submarine was to showcase the strength and capability of aluminum and its value in benefiting science through undersea exploration. By building a successful submersible vehicle capable of exploring the deep ocean, Reynolds Metals hoped to contribute to national security, locate new sources of minerals and food, and foster scientific understanding. , Service: Active from 1964 to 1970, the Aluminaut had a brief but stellar career of exploration, research, and deep ocean recovery operations. Aluminaut made 251 dives working with scientific organizations, government bureaus, and industrial clients. During its career, Aluminaut set a world record for deepest dive by a submarine, took scientists below the ocean surface to carry out experiments, repaired underwater cables and equipment, discovered mineral deposits on the ocean floor, and even searched for sunken treasure. , Some of the Aluminaut's most famous missions include aiding in the recovery of a hydrogen bomb off the coast of Spain in 1966, rescuing the Navy's research submarine Alvin near Nantucket Island in 1968, and searching for the wreckage of the R.M.S. Titanic in its later years. , Specifications: Length: 51 ft.; Width: 8ft., Weight: 80.9 tons. Dates of service: 1964 - 1970, Top speed: 3.8 knots. Dive time: 6,000 ft. in one hr., 45 mins. to surface. Operating depth: 15,000 ft., Yield strength: 60,000 psi.