Mystery subs dives #125-128

File — Container: FV5, E, 05, Reel: data_value_missing_df16e742c2cb62d40b6deec15ba57fe6

Scope and Contents

From the Record Group:

This collection contains film and media related to WHOI. Materials range from at-sea footage to recordings of seminars and many other subjects.

Dates

Creation: 1964-1975

Conditions Governing Access

Original recordings are restricted for preservation reasons. Contact Institution Archivist for access options at dla@whoi.edu.

Extent

28 Reels (3 16mm reels; 25 8mm reels)

Language

From the Record Group: English

Additional Description

General

The following note accompanies the entire collection:

Film - 16 mm film 3 reels 100' each Puerto Rico G. Rowe

Super 8mm 100' 10 reels dives #125-128

Super 8mm 500' 5 reels Blake Plateau

Super 8mm 500' 10 reels Mona Canyon

Norelco voice tapes 7 tapes

3 computer tapes DMVL

[non-reel media presumably stored elsewhere]

Subnotes will describe the reels by line.

Film - 16 mm film 3 reels 100' each Puerto Rico G. Rowe

16mm but one set sprocket holes

"Alvin Dive Film 125-128 also on DVD and DVCam"

MBL WHOI Library barcode 0030110003456

This one has writing saying "12 FPS 1.6-2.8"

MBL WHOI Library barcode 0030110003433

This one has writing saying "12 FPS 2.8" and "7366-0"; sticker saying "35392"

MBL WHOI Library barcode 0030110003434

This one has writing saying "PR Dive 37, 39" with a carrot and questionmark pointing to just after Dive; writing "6444-0"; sticker "29885"

Super 8mm 100' 10 reels dives #125-128

4 reels say #125

2 reels say #126

3 reels say #127

1 reel says #128

Although these are listed as Alvin film, looking at some of the film strongly suggests they are not.

#128 SEACLIFF -- above-water video, showing what looked like a very early Alvin, metal scaffolding or a crane arm above the sub, and rocky mountainous coastline. About midway through the reel the camera was pointed at a piece of paper that said "Begin dive 128 Seacliff".

One of the #125 reels showed what appeared to be NR-1.

Super 8mm 500' 5 reels Black Plateau

Reels say dives 1-3; dives 3 and 4; dives 4-7; dives 7-10;dives 10-14. All say Blake Plateau and Alvin #125-128

Super 8mm 500' 10 reels Mona Canyon

Reels say Alvin #125-128 and Mona Canyon: Portland (or Mona Canyon: LSD Portland). They are numbered with dives 1-3, 4-6, 7-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-17, 18-23, 25-28, 29-38, and 39-40 END. Dive 24 is unaccounted for. Reel 39-40 END says "Barataria Bay Model" on the case; not clear whether that has anything to do with the reel inside.

NB: The online Alvin dive log lists dives 125-128 as "bomb search"; the paper log lists them as "off Cartagena". However, the Blake Plateau is off the Carolinas in the US; Mona Canyon is off Puerto Rico. The Navy has had three ships named Portland; none of them appear to have been in service in 1966, when the Alvin dive log says dives 125-128 occurred.

Norelco voice tapes 7 tapes

Found in FV19. Will be placed with Alvin audio. Doubt remains as to whether they are Alvin tapes but will work on the assumption they are until they can be played.