Submersibles Through Time
Alvin (1964)
As the oldest manned research submersible still in operation,
Alvin boasts an impressive résumé. Having
logged over 4,000 dives so far, the titanium sphere was the first
manned vessel to visit the wreckage of the RMS Titanic.
Alvin has also helped researchers discover approximately 300
new animal species, including foot-long clams and giant red-tipped
tubeworms. Thought lost in 1968 when her support cables failed and
her crew abandoned ship, the craft spent 11 months on the seafloor,
sustaining only minor damage. Near-freezing temperatures and a lack
of oxygen kept even the lunches left onboard perfectly
preserved—if a bit damp.