Deepstar 4000 Dive 499 Nov 1968

The previous post gave some background on the Deepstar 4000 submersible, with photos from October 1968. This post is about another related outing in November 1968. By comparing the Deepstar crew with the log books kept by Ron Church, I’m very confident that the activity in the photos below show the 499th dive for Deepstar 4000, made on November 7th. The following day, the Deepstar’s celebrated 500th dive was made.

The location was about 5 miles SSW of Point Loma. The crew for this dive was made up of Curt Adams, pilot, and observers Carl Shipek, and a man named O’Mara. Ron Church, another Deepstar pilot is clearly present on the support ship “Search Tide” as well. It’s difficult to tell with certainty, but Robert Bradley the remaining Deepstar pilot during this time period also appears to be onboard. He is the man wearing the red and white figured shirt.

The film below starts with the three man crew entering Deepstar. First is pilot Curt Adams, then observer O’Mara, and lastly, observer Carl Shipek. Robert Bradley then secures the hatch. Deepstar is swung out and launched. The footage then continues with a diver attaching the hoist, and Deepstar brought aboard. After being secured, the first crewman, Carl Shipek, is shown exiting Deepstar.

8mm film of preparation, launch, and retrieval of Deepstar 4000 on its 499th dive. Unfortunately, the light meter on the camera was failing, causing the exposure to oscillate. This footage was split across two reels. The second half was transferred to digital by Periscope Film using superior equipment to that used for the first half (not done by Periscope). The first half will be scanned by Periscope later this year, and this clip will be updated then.

Preparing Deepstar 4000 for its dive. At left, Curt Adams can be seen talking to Ron Church (wearing the dark blue cap)

More Deepstar preparations. The bow is facing right, showing the equipment rack with syntactic foam blocks.

The hoist begins to bring Deepstar around. The person I believe to be Robert Bradley is the man closest to the camera on the far right.

The Deepstar has been swung around and is ready to be lowered into the ocean.

In she goes.

Deepstar still visible below the surface near the support ship.

Watching the beginning of the descent.

The dive complete, Deepstar can be seen at the surface from the support ship.

The diver in the water gets ready to attach Deepstar to the hoist.

Diver waiting for the hook to be lowered.

Having been hoisted out of the water, swung around, and placed aboard, Deepstar is secured. Robert Bradley, is partially visible in the background by the equipment rack.

Carl Shipek exists the craft first. Ron Church barely visible off camera on the left, and Robert Bradley on the right.

Ron Church at far left, talking to Carl Shipek, while O’Mara begins to exit Deepstar. Robert Bradley visible at far right.

Pilot Curt Adams exits Deepstar last, while observer O’Mara comes down the ladder. Ron Church is at the base of the ladder, and Robert Bradley on the right.