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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Patch on left contributed by Darryl Baker, on right by Kent Weekly

Turtle (DSV-3)

DSV (Deep Submergence Vehicle): Laid down by General Dynamics/Electric Boat, Groton, Conn.; Launched, 11 Dec 1968; Commissioned DSV-3

Specifications: Construction: constructed of a fiberglass hull over the metal crew sphere, batteries and electric motors. Weight: 21 Tons Length: 26 feet (7.9m) overall Beam: 8 Feet (2.4m): 12 feet (3.7m) over propeller pods Propulsion: electric motor, 1 propeller ahead, 2 rotate for maneuvering Crew Sphere: HY-100 Steel Speed: 2.5 Knots Operating depth: 10,000 (3,046m) Manning: 2 + 1 scientist
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For Full Size Image		Size Image Description Source
Turtle 63k Turtle (DSV-3), is seen in this clipping from the 21 Jan 1977 issue of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard newspaper "Grapevine".
US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Turtle 102k Turtle (DSV-3), is seen aboard her transportation trailer at Mare Island after her arrival from San Diego for overhaul. She was in overhaul status at the shipyard from 29 Sep 1979 to 14 Nov 1980.
US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Turtle 72k Broadside dock view of the Turtle (DSV-3) at Mare Island.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Wendell Royce McLaughlin Jr.
Turtle 157k Turtle (DSV-3) and another DSV dockside, probably the Sea Cliff (DSV-4) at Mare Island.
US Navy photo courtesy of usssubvetsofwwii.org.
Turtle 68k Turtle (DSV-3) and Sea Cliff (DSV-4) dockside, at Mare Island, possibly 10-1979.
US Navy photo courtesy of San Francisco NARA, "Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Ship Files" & submitted by Tracy White. Photo added 06/27/08.
Turtle 232k Frame 1 of the Turtle (DSV-3), in 1986 during her fire damage overhaul.
 US Navy photo courtesy of David Reid.
Turtle 223k Frame 2 of the Turtle (DSV-3), in 1986 during her fire damage overhaul.
 US Navy photo courtesy of David Reid.
Turtle 219k Frame 3 of the Turtle (DSV-3), in 1986 during her fire damage overhaul.
 US Navy photo courtesy of David Reid.
Turtle 109k The LTV-3 (Land Transportation Vehicle), in front of SRU (Submarine Rescue Unit), (the name was later changed to DSU (Deep Submergence Unit) Turtle (DSV-3) is in a fresh coat of paint after an overhaul, circa 1988 - 91. Photo courtesy of Kent Weekly (Former EMCS/SS).
Turtle 123k The DSVSS Laney Chouest, (Deep Submergence Vehicle Support Ship), hoists the Turtle (DSV-3) for a launching into the depths of the Pacific, circa 1988 - 91. Photo courtesy of Kent Weekly (Former EMCS/SS).
Turtle 93k 1 Mile Deep Club certificate - given to members who dived deeper than one mile in depth. Photo courtesy of Kent Weekly(Former EMCS/SS).
Turtle 105k 10,000 foot Deep Club certificate - given to members who dived close to or deeper than 10,000 feet in depth.
Note: The depth written on the image says 9636 feet. With a maximum depth of 10,000 feet, the Turtle (DSV-3) on this dive was within 10% of test depth. If a boat goes over test depth it is then limited to 1/2 of test depth so no submarine/submersible will ever push it's limit to the ceiling (forgive the pun, or lack of it). 		Photo courtesy of Kent Weekly (Former EMCS/SS).
Turtle 84k The Turtle (DSV-3) preparing for recovery. Crew onboard are IC2 Brian Main, on left, ET1 William Carpenter, on right. Photo courtesy of Kent Weekly (Former EMCS/SS).
Turtle 265k The US Navy (USN) 21-ton Deep Submergence Vehicle Turtle (DSV-3), Submarine Development Squadron 5 (COMSUBDEVRON FIVE), is prepared for hoisting from the deck of the Military Sealift Command's Submarine Support Vessel MV Dolores Chouest at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), California, after its return from sea trials on 1 Oct 1990. The Turtle is used in a wide variety of scientific research and recovery operations.
USN photo # DN-SC-04-09583 from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Turtle 286k Crew members stand on the hull of the U.S. Navy deep submergence vehicle Turtle (DSV-3) after a dive during sea trials off North Island with the Turtle's support ship, the civilian vessel MV Dolores Chouest on 1 Oct 1990.
USN photo # DN-ST-92-02126 from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Turtle 133k Crew members aboard the civilian support ship MV Dolores Chouest hold onto the mooring lines as the U.S. Navy deep submergence vehicle Turtle (DSV-3) ties up in the ship's docking well during sea trials off North Island on 1 Oct 1990.
USN photo # DN-ST-92-02130 from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Turtle 342k Machinery Repairman 2nd Class (Diver) Tim Ross checks the spool inside the submarine rescue chamber of the deep submergence vehicle Turtle (DSV-3) during the exhibit of the vehicle at Sea World on 1 Mar 1992.
USN photo # DF-SC-84-08113 from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Turtle 128k U. S. Navy personnel at the Deep Submergence Unit stabilize the deep submergence vehicle Turtle (DSV-3) with cables as it is readied for transport to a launch site on 1 Mar 1992.
USN photo # DN-SC-92-08970 from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 208k Booklet cover about the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4) & published 31 March 1996.
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 191k Booklet TOC about the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4), published 31 March 1996.
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 288k Page one, listing the introduction and accomplishments of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 288k Page two, listing the characteristics of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 191k Page three, listing the summary of navigation capabilities of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 228k Page four, listing the summary of search capabilities of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 204k Page five, listing the summary of direct viewing capabilities of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Turtle 272k Page six, listing the summary of capabilities of the Turtle's (DSV-3) ship controls.
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 182k Page eight, listing the summary of capabilities of the life support systems of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 218k Page nine, listing the summary of capabilities of the communication systems of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 206k Page ten, listing the summary of capabilities of the handling systems of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 183k Page eleven, listing the summary of capabilities of the handling systems of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4). Pictured here is the Turtle coming along her support vessel, Dolores Chouest.
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 215k Page twelve, listing the summary of capabilities of the working systems of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
 Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 306k Page thirteen, listing the vehicle description / general descriptions of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
 Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 365k Page fourteen, listing the vehicle description / navigation & ship controls of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
 Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 348k Page fiveteen, listing the vehicle description / search capabilities of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
 Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 352k Page sixteen, listing the vehicle description / communications & work and object recovery of the Turtle (DSV-3) & Sea Cliff (DSV-4).
 Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Sea Cliff & Turtle 191k Inside back cover photo of the Turtle (DSV-3) being lowered from her support vessel.
Courtesy of NAVSEA, submitted by Jim Richardson.
Turtle 19k Turtle (DSV-3), in the depths, date and location unknown.
Photo by LCDR (ret) Dan Butler. (Copyright), courtesy of the Federation of American Scientists, fas.org.
There is no DANFS History currently available for Turtle (DSV-3) at the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site, the main archive for the DANFS Online Project.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Bottom Time-Thirty Years With Turtle and Sea Cliff, by David Reid, Northrop Grumann Oceanic Systems, and Daniel Will, Deep Submergence Systems Program Office
Introduction to the Bathyscaph
Submarine Rescue: Ready For The Unthinkable
ASDS, The Future of Submarine-Based Special Operations
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Submarine Index

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