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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch on left contributed by Jack Treutle (of blessed memory), in right & center by Jim Schultz.

Mystic (DSRV-1)

DSRV (Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle): Laid down by Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co., Sunnyvale, Calif.; Launched, 24 January 1970; Commissioned DSRV-1.
The Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System's (SRDRS) Rescue Capable System (RCS) replaced the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) as the U.S. Navy's deep-submergence submarine rescue asset on September 30. Mystic and the DSRV program began deactivation on 1 October 2009.

Specifications: Displacement, 30.5 tons surfaced, 37 tons submerged.
Length: 49 feet (15 meters)
Width 11 feet (3.4 meters)
Beam: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
Speed: 4 kts; Maximum Depth, 5,000 feet (1524 meters) to dive and rise at 30 meters a minute, to make a maximum speed of 5 knots while submerged.
This class can remain submerged for 30 hours at 3 knots and to maintain station in a 1 knot current while operating all machinery even while submerged at a 45 degree angle.
Complement: Two pilots, two rescue personnel and the capacity for 24 passengers.
Propulsion: Electric motors, silver/zinc batteries, one shaft, 15 shaft horsepower, four thrusters, 7.5 horsepower. The motor turns a regular propulsion propeller and two thrusters, one forward and one aft, which can be positioned to permit a close approach to a sunken object.
Hull: The hull consists of two hy140 steel spheres surrounded by a fiberglass outer hull. One of the hulls received a potassium superoxide (KO) breathing system in 1982, providing 480 man hours of submerged endurance.
Transportation: Twelve were originally planned, designed to travel in C-141 Starlifter cargo plane. An SSN serves as a base for the DSRV while it waits for an ASR. SSN's are equiped to fasten them to their decks and carry them at 15 knots.
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DSRV1.77kShould a submarine sink, a proposed rescue vehicle which will carry to operators and 14 survivors, shown in this diagram, is recommended by the Deep Submergence Systems Review Group.
Master Caption: Following the loss of the submarine Thresher (SSN-593) in April 1963, the Secretary of the Navy established the Deep Submergence Systems Review Group to analyze the requirements for placing man at great ocean depths. The study included an examination of plans for the development and procurement of components and systems related to the location, identification, rescue from and the recovery of large and small boats, including submarines, from the ocean floor.
Photograph released 30 April 1964. 		USN photo # USN 711460, Photographed by PHC C.L. Wright, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Mystic 114k Mystic (DSRV-1) under construction at Lockheed's Sunnyvale, California, facility. This view shows the three-sphere pressure capsule being installed in the fibreglass outer hull. The outer hull, which contains propulsion, sensor, and other equipment, is free flooding, making the craft lighter than if those components were carried in a (larger) pressure hull. Lockheed Missiles and Space photo courtesy of The American Submarine, by Norman Polmar & submitted by Robert Hurst.
Mystic 179k Mystic (DSRV-1) sliding down the launching ways at Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., 24 January 1970. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org
Mystic 222k Divers and crew aboard the Mystic (DSRV-1), 1971. USN photo courtesy of January 1971 edition of All Hands Magazine, submitted by Stan Svec.
Pintado554kAn aerial port beam view of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Pintado (SSN-672) underway while conducting submarine operations off the coast of San Diego on 28 Mar 1977. Mounted near the stern is the deep submergence rescue vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1), which can provide world-wide, rapid-deployment, all-weather capability for the rescue of survivors of a disabled submarine. USN photo # DN-SC-86-00167, by PH1 A. Legare, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Mystic 31k Commemorative postal cover issued on the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) & Bergall (SSN-667), operating together, 19 September 1978. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Mystic 211k Left rear view of the Mystic (DSRV-1) (deep submergence rescue vehicle) parked at a holding area, shortly after being downloaded from a C-5 Galaxy aircraft at Charleston Air Force Base, SC., on 6 December 1982. USN photo # DF-ST-83-08522 by SSGT Ernest H. Sealing, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Bergal & Mystic16kAs I remember, it was the first trip of the Mystic (DSRV-1) from the west coast to a east coast submarine. We took it out on the Bergall's (SSN-667) back. At sea, they practiced rescue from one escape hatch to the other. The boat had to have special white painted on the hull to aid in the (DSRV-1) from the west coast to a east coast submarine. We took it out on the Bergall's (SSN-667) navigation. We even played the movie, "Gray Lady Down", during the run. While watching the movie we would point to some of the crew of the (DSRV-1) as we would recognize them in the movie.USN photo courtesy of Dennis Lawyer & Mike Brood, USS Bergall SSN-667 .
Mystic 820k Officers and chief petty officers wave to the crowd from a trailer carrying the deep submergence rescue vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) during the "San Diego Salutes the Troops" parade. The parade is being held to honor all veterans, with special recognition being given to units that took part in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm on 18 May 1991. USN photo # DN-ST-91-11461 by JO1 Joe Gawlowicz, USN, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Mystic 304k Three personnel spheres in storage for use on the Mystic (DSRV-1) Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA., on 10 January 1995. USN photo # DN-SC-95-01763 by PH2 Rick Gilmore, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Hawkbill1.11kThe Mystic (DSRV-1) rides piggy back on Hawkbill (SSN-666) in the 1990's. Photo courtesy of Randall Johnson.
Mystic 53k The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) slowly makes its way in the early evening of 22 August 2000 toward an Air Force Reserve C-5A Galaxy at the Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. The (DSRV-1) will be transported to Sorbet Royal 2000, a NATO submarine rescue exercise off the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. USN photo # N-2480M-005 by Journalist 1st Class Jason Everett Miller. Courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 187k Machinist's Mate Third Class (MM3) Jason Roache carries support gear aboard the Dallas (SSN-700), the mother submarine for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1), moored at the Turkish Naval Base of Aksaz, on 29 August 2000 in support of Sorbet Royal 2000, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) submarine rescue exercise. USN photo # DN-SD-03-11141 by JO1 Jason E, Miller, USN, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Dallas233kSailors assist in steadying the deep submergence rescue vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) as it is lowered on to the fast-attack submarine Dallas (SSN-700), on 30 August 2000 at Aksaz Naval Base in Turkey. Dallas, and Mystic are in Turkey conducting training operations in support of the NATO triennial major submarine escape and rescue (SMER) exercise Sorbet Royal 2000,. Sorbet Royal involves rescue specialists and Naval forces from three NATO nations, Italy, Turkey and the United States of America.
USN photo # N-2480M-035, courtesy of Journalist 1st Class Jason E. Miller.
Dallas288k Perched on the back of its mother submarine, the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) and the fast-attack submarine Dallas (SSN-700) are towed in support of Sorbet Royal 2000, a rescue exercise off of Turkey's Mediterranean coast on 31 August 2000. USN photo # DN-SD-03-11148, by JO1 Jason Everett Miller, USN, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Dallas77kDallas (SSN-700), arrives at Aksaz Naval Base, Turkey, 7 September 2001 carrying the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1). USN photo # N-2480M-032, by JO1 Jason E. Miller USN, courtesy of the US Navy Chinfo Photo Gallery web site.
Mystic 150k A naval officer assigned to the U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class attack submarine La Jolla (SSN-701), explains the capabilities of the deep submergence rescue vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1), to a naval officer from the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force at Sasebo, Japan, 23, April 2002. La Jolla and Mystic will operate with surface ships and submarines from the U.S., Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Singapore during Exercise Pacific Reach. USN photo # N-0401E-002 by Journalist 3rd Class Wes Eplen, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 158k A naval officer assigned to the U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class attack submarine La Jolla (SSN-701), explains the capabilities of the deep submergence rescue vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1), to naval officers from the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force at Sasebo, Japan, 23 April 2002. La Jolla and Mystic will operate with surface ships and submarines from the U.S., Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Singapore during Exercise Pacific Reach. USN photo # N-0401E-001 by Journalist 3rd Class Wes Eplen, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 152k La Jolla (SSN-701), with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) mounted aft, pulls out of Sasebo harbor to participate in the submarine rescue Exercise Pacific Reach on 25 April. USN photo courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 105k The fast attack submarine La Jolla (SSN-701) with the deep submergence rescue vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) attached, lowers the National Ensign as it prepares to get underway to participate in the submarine rescue Exercise Pacific Reach at Sasebo, Japan, 25 April 2002. USN photo # N-0401E-001, by Journalist 3rd Class Wes Eplen, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 174k The fast attack submarine, La Jolla (SSN-701), with the Mystic (DSRV-1) attached, steams in formation with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) command and control ship, JDS Bungo (MST 464) (middle), and the Royal Australian submarine, HMAS Farncomb (74) (top), during exercise Exercise Pacific Reach off the Coast of Kyushu Island, Japan, 26 April 2002. USN photo # N-0000X-006 courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 186k The fast attack submarine, La Jolla (SSN-701), with the Mystic (DSRV-1) attached, steams to its operating area with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) command and control ship, JDS Bungo (MST-464) during Exercise Pacific Reach off the Coast of Kyushu Island, Japan, 26 April 2002. USN photo # N-0000X-003 courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 266k The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) is carefully loaded onto a Russian-built An-124 Condor (Antonov) by Sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy's Deep Submergence Unit (DSU) and the aircraft's crew at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. 29 April 2004. USN photo # N-7949W-003, by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Daniel N. Woods, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 298k The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) is carefully loaded onto a Russian-built An-124 Condor (Antonov) by Sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy's Deep Submergence Unit (DSU) and the aircraft's crew at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. 29 April 2004. The An-124 is owned and operated by the Volga-Dnepr Group based in Russia. The Mystic and 13 members of her crew are being flown to the Republic of Korea to participate in Exercise Pacific Reach. The exercise improves submarine rescue capabilities and also fosters a familiarization between different nations with submarine rescue techniques. USN photo # N-7949W-005, by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Daniel N. Woods, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 367k Electronics Technician 2nd Class David Tynes, and Machinist's Mate 2nd Class John Garcia conduct top side pilot checks before the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) dives off the coast of southern California. USN photo # N-1577S-001, by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Timothy F. Sosa, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 243k Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Raul Robles and Electronics Technician 1st Class Nathaniel Stiles conduct pre-launch check on Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) the coast of Southern California during a visit from Russian Federation Navy Delegation, 14 December 2005. Russian Navy officers visited Deep Submergence Unit (DSU) to observe Mystic conduct recovery training. USN photo # N-1577S-004, by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Timothy F. Sosa, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 80k During a visit from the Russian Federation Navy Delegation, Lt. Cdr. James Crookham, officer in charge, Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1), talks about Mystic'scapabilities aboard submarine support vessel, MV Kellie Chouest. USN photo # N-1577S-405, by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Timothy F. Sosa, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Mystic 467k Russian Federation Navy Delegation Sailors conduct pre-launch checks of the US Navy (USN) Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) off the coast of Southern California. Russian Navy officers visited Deep Submergence Unit (DSU) onboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Submarine Support Vessel M/V Kellie Chouest, Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), California (CA), to observe the Mystic conducting recovery training on 14 December 2005. USN photo # N-1577S-002, by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Timothy F. Sosa, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 450k The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) is lowered into the Pacific. USN photo # N-1577S-003, by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Timothy F. Sosa, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 45k Mystic (DSRV-1), port side view, date and place unknown. USN photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Mystic 77k Mystic (DSRV-1), shipboard, being lowered onto deck for transfer, port side view, date and place unknown. USN photo courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 32k Divers with the Mystic (DSRV-1). USN photo courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 83k Control room of the Mystic (DSRV-1). USN photo courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
Mystic 38k Artist's conception of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) berthing alongside a stricken submarine. Courtesy Nova/PBS special.
Mystic 186k Sonar Technician 1st Class Jason Clayton and Master Chief Sonar Technician (Submarine) Todd Litke perform pre-dive checks on the Mystic (DSRV-1) on 23 July 2007 at San Diego. USN photo # N-0640K-036 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jennifer S. Kimball, courtesy of cnsf.navy.mil.
Mystic 779k Cmdr. Jeffrey Barta, assistant director of Naval History and Heritage Command's (NHHC) Museum Systems Office, talks with Dr. Ford Bell, American Alliance of Museums president about the accomplishments of the U.S. Navy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle One Mystic (DSRV-1) as they study a model of the vehicle in the National Museum of the United States Navy during a tour on 3 December 2013. USN photo # 131203-N-CS953-071 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Comerford.
Hawkbill852kMary Ryan, left, Naval Undersea Museum's Curator; Lindy Dosher, the museum's Director: James Bruns, Director, Naval Museum Systems Office; Rear Adm. (Retired) Samuel Cox, Director, Naval History and Heritage Command; and Cmdr. Jeffrey Barta, Deputy, Museum Systems Office stand in front of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) at Keyport, Wash. 22 July 2015. The Naval Undersea Museum received the Mystic on 1 October 2014, six years after it began its deactivation. USN photo 150722-N-EC099-012 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charles D. Gaddis IV courtesy of navy.mil. via Lee Wahler.
There is no DANFS History currently available for Mystic (DSRV-1) at the Haze Gray & Underway, the main archive for the DANFS Online Project.
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