DSRV-1 Mystic

DSRV-1 (Mystic) docked to a Los Angeles-class attack submarine.
History
United States
Name
  • Official: DSRV-1
  • Unofficial: Mystic
NamesakeThe village of Mystic, Connecticut
BuilderLockheed Missiles and Space Company, Sunnyvale, California
Launched24 January 1970
Acquired1 June 1970
Out of service1 October 2008
General characteristics
Class and typeDSRV-1- (Mystic-) class deep submergence rescue vehicle
Displacement30.5 tons surfaced, 37 tons submerged
Length49 ft (15 m)
Beam8 ft (2.4 m); Width 11 ft (3.4 m)
Installed power15 shaft horsepower (11.2 kilowatt)
PropulsionElectric motors, silver-zinc batteries, one shaft, four thrusters
Speed4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph)
Endurance30 hours submerged at 3 knots (5.6 km/h)
Test depth5,000 feet (1,500 m)
Capacity24 passengers
ComplementFour (two pilots and two rescue personnel)
DSRV-1 Mystic on display at United States Naval Undersea Museum, Keyport, Washington
Mystic on display at the Naval Undersea Museum after 2021 restoration

DSRV-1 Mystic is a deep-submergence rescue vehicle that is rated to dive up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m). It was built by Lockheed for the US Navy at a construction cost of $41 million and launched 24 January 1970.[1] It was declared fully operational in 1977 and named Mystic.[2] The Mystic or the Avalon could be deployed to rescue survivors of a disabled submarine.

The submarine was intended to be air transportable; it was 50 feet (15 m) long and 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter, and it weighed 37 tons. The sub was capable of descending to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) below the surface and could carry 24 passengers at a time, in addition to its crew. It was stationed at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego and was never required to conduct an actual rescue operation. Mystic was replaced by the SRDRS on September 30, 2008, and began deactivation on October 1, 2008.[3] In October 2014, the submarine was donated to the Naval Undersea Museum,[4] and restored in February 2021.[5]

  1. ^ Ryan, Mary (2011). "Rescuing Submariners: From DSRVs to the SRDRS" (PDF). Undersea Quarterly. 15 (2). Naval Undersea Museum Foundation: 1–6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-25.
  2. ^ Polmar, Norman (January 15, 2005). Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the Us Fleet (18 ed.). Naval Institute Press. pp. 95–96. ISBN 9781591146858.
  3. ^ "Deep Quest" (PDF). Artifact Spotlight. Naval Undersea Museum. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Naval Undersea Museum Keyport Opens DSRV Mystic To VIPs". United States Navy. 2015-07-23.
  5. ^ Farley, Josh (February 22, 2021). "Deep-diving Mystic restored at Navy's undersea museum in Keyport". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved May 12, 2024.