RV Calypso

RV Calypso is a former British Royal Navy minesweeper that was converted into a research vessel for the oceanographic researcher Jacques-Yves Cousteau, equipped with a mobile laboratory for underwater field research. It was severely damaged in 1996, and was supposed to undergo a complete refurbishment in 2009-2011. The ship is named after the Greek mythological figure Calypso.

History

The RV Calypso was built by the Ballard Marine Railway Company of Seattle, Washington, USA in 1941 as a wooden-hulled minesweeper for the British Royal Navy as part of the Lend-Lease program. She was a Basset-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy, and was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1942 as HMS J-826 and assigned to active service in the Mediterranean Sea.

Conversion to Research Vessel

In 1950, Jacques-Yves Cousteau bought the ship from the British government and transformed it into an oceanographic vessel. A false hull of aluminium was built and fitted over the original wooden hull to allow for more extensive underwater exploration. The ship was also equipped with a helicopter pad, a fleet of inflatable boats, and facilities for scuba diving and underwater research.

Expeditions

The RV Calypso carried out a number of significant expeditions in its career. Notably, it was used in the discovery of the wreck of the HMHS Britannic, the sister ship of the RMS Titanic, in 1975. The ship was also used in the filming of the documentary series The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.

Damage and Restoration

In 1996, the RV Calypso was accidentally rammed by a barge and sank in the port of Singapore. She was raised and plans were announced to restore her, but these were delayed due to disputes over the ownership of the ship. As of 2021, the ship is still awaiting restoration.

Legacy

The RV Calypso is remembered as a pioneering vessel in oceanographic research. Her expeditions contributed significantly to the understanding of marine life and the impact of human activity on the world's oceans.