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Mobilization
The Yuzhmorgeologiya, after passage through the Panama Canal, arrived
at Bridgetown, Barbados on April 11th. The science crew boarded
the Russian research ship that would be home for the next 30 days.
Paramount among the many tasks faced was the final assembly and
sea trials of the camera sled, the Deep-sea Probe 6000. Built by
Sound Ocean Systems, the vehicle was to serve as a capable back-up
sled to the Russian built NEPTUNE. Initial Search
The expedition departed Bridgetown Harbor on April 12. The next
day Paul and Tom held a meeting for the science party to explain
the survey plan. Paul's estimated position of the shipwreck was
based upon the carrier U.S.S. BOGUE's reported position when her
aircraft had engaged the I-52. Tom experience led him to believe
that the wreck would have strewn debris across the bottom in a unique
pattern that would stand out from its surroundings. Accordingly,
the Russian team adjusted the MAK-1M side scan sonar to detect this
type of target. Tom and Bob designed a search plan to account for
the currents and bottom conditions expected.
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The Yuzhmorgeologiya
would tow the sonar in an easterly direction at 1.5 knots at and an
altitude of 100 meters off the bottom, avoiding the sharp ridges found
every 4 to 5 km. At a frequency of 30 kilohertz, a range of 1000 meters,
and survey lines spaced 1000 meters apart, the MAK-1M sonar would
ensonify every half meter of ocean bottom twice.
 NEPTUN Camera Sled
Launching from R/V Yuzhmorgeologiya |
After
two weeks of searching and analyzing the data collected from this
area, the I-52 was not to be found. Tension and frustration began
to build among the crew. New scenarios began to emerge from re-analysis
of the historical records. Tom and Bob considered the possibility
that the I-52 may have survived the initial attack. With our primary
search area covered, it became very clear that if the expedition was
not able to find her close by, it was going to be a very long search
extending over many miles of the Atlantic.
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Previous- The Search
