CURV-III was the fourth generation of the United States Navy Cable-controlled Undersea Recovery Vehicle (CURV). CURV was a prototype for remotely operated underwater vehicles and a pioneer for teleoperation . It became famous in 1966 when CURV-I was used to recover a hydrogen bomb from the floor of the Mediterranean Sea . In 1973, CURV-III performed the deepest underwater rescue in history when it rescued two men 1,575 feet (480 m) from the ocean surface who were stranded 76 hours in the submersible Pisces III with just minutes of air remaining. The CURV-III became known in the Great Lakes region in 1976 when it was used to survey the wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald . CURV-21 is the current generation that replaced CURV-III.
40-650: CURV was developed by Naval Ordnance Test Station, Pasadena, California, US in the early 1960s. It was initially designed to recover test ordnance lost off San Clemente Island at depths as great as 2,000 feet (610 m). CURV was the pioneer for teleoperation. CURV-III is the fourth generation of CURV. After the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, CURV III was transferred to the Navy's Supervisor of Salvage who directed that it be upgraded from 10,000 feet (3,000 m) operations to 20,000 feet (6,100 m). The CURV-21
80-493: A 2½ month search. After Alvin was unsuccessful in recovering the bomb, the Navy brought in CURV-I. CURV-I was successful in attaching grapnels to the bomb but became entangled in the bomb's parachute lines. The entangled bomb, parachute, and CURV-I were successfully raised together to the surface 81 days after the original incident. Pisces III , a Canadian commercial submersible, was used to lay transatlantic telephone cable on
120-557: A gale and high seas to the scene of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sinking in 1975. In 1980, she took part in a rescue rated in the top 10 USCG rescues when she helped to save the passengers and crew of the cruise ship Prinsendam after it caught fire in position 57°38"N 140° 25"W then while being towed sank off Graham Island , British Columbia. She was one of the first vessels to respond to the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. She
160-561: A major renovation at U.S. Coast Guard Yard Curtis Bay, Maryland . She received new diesel engines, a thorough overhaul of her main electrical motor and its control systems, installation of new electrical wiring and switchboards, new water piping and sewage handling systems, and a bow thruster to improve her maneuverability. The crew's living spaces were upgraded and the furnishings were modernized. On 3 June 1980, Woodrush replaced USCGC Clover (WLB-292) in Sitka, Alaska where she home ported for
200-451: A notched forefoot, ice-belt at the waterline, a reinforced bow for icebreaking capabilities. The superstructure was extended to the ship's sides for increased interior volume above the main deck. Her finer lines in the bow and stern and deeper draft were designed to increase seaworthiness. The utilitarian design allowed the vessel to serve as a search and rescue (SAR) or naval platform. Twin diesel generators powered an electric motor that turned
240-490: A single propeller. As a C-Class tender, Woodrush carried more fuel than the "A" and "B" Class tenders. She was "fitted with power vangs that attached to the bridge wings and manipulated the cargo boom" that were used on "B" and "C" tenders. Woodrush was commissioned on 22 September 1944 under the command of LCDR F. D. Hagaman, USCG. In keeping with the Lighthouse Service practice of naming tenders after foliage, she
280-644: A support vessel for the United States Navy ROV , the CURV , that was used to survey the Fitzgerald wreck. A few years later, Woodrush was called out to help break ice for some freighters near the Soo Locks . Woodrush eventually got trapped in the ice, and was floated by the ice until it managed to get free, passing right over the Fitzgerald wreck site. From 31 July 1978 to 31 March 1980, Woodrush underwent
320-612: A tool assembly mounted on the bow that included a manipulator claw. Other tools and lifting devices could be mounted for particular tasks. In the Palomares incident of 17 January 1966, a hydrogen bomb was lost in the Mediterranean Sea when a B-52 bomber collided with a KC-135 tanker near Palomares , Spain. The bomb was located, at a depth of 2,900 feet (880 m), by the United States Navy submersible DSV Alvin after
360-607: A training exercise off the island's northwest coast on July 30, 2020. One of eight marines died after being rescued from the vehicle. Names of all nine people killed were identified on August 3. Fifteen Marines and a sailor were on the AAV as it returned to USS Somerset . The USMC released a statement on 3 August 2020, saying the AAV had been found. The landing craft sank in nearly 400 feet of water. On 27 August 2020, two soldiers were killed and three were injured when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed on San Clemente Island. The island
400-411: Is an endangered species that the Navy is taking steps to protect. The San Clemente Island fox is an indigenous species. Feral goats roamed the island for centuries, reaching a population of 11,000 in 1972, when their effect on indigenous species was realized. By 1980, the population had been reduced to 4,000. The Fund for Animals blocked a plan for shooting the remaining goats in court, so
440-412: Is named after the island. Geologically, the island is described as being "the upper part of a tilted and gently arched northwestward-trending block of the earth's crust that has a straight, steep northeastern slope and a more irregular and much gentler southwestern slope" that is composed primarily of volcanic rock , with the northeast boundary of the island having a large fault that parallels most of
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#1732924562980480-497: Is now at least one breeding pair of bald eagles and more than one pair of peregrine falcons . Island flora includes 300 native taxa and approximately 135 non-native taxa with distribution of at least 47 of the island’s native taxa being restricted to two or more of the California Islands, 15 plant taxa being only found on San Clemente Island, and one insular endemic of the island thought to be extinct . The flora of
520-621: Is owned and operated by the United States Navy , and is a part of Los Angeles County . It is administered by Naval Base Coronado . The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) operates the Avalon Station in Avalon , Santa Catalina Island , serving San Clemente Island. As of 2024, Robert Garcia (California politician) , (District 42) represents the island's inhabitants in the United States House of Representatives , Lena Gonzalez in
560-565: Is the next generation following CURV-III and was built as its direct replacement. CURV-III was sent to the National Museum of the U.S. Navy in 2012 and she is located in the Cold War Gallery. CURV-III had a functional design capable of operations at 10,000 feet (3,000 m). It had an open metal frame that was 6.5 feet (2.0 m) by 6.5 feet (2.0 m) by 15 feet (4.6 m), weighed approximately 5,400 pounds (2,400 kg), and
600-576: Is used for carrier training by the Navy. Other branches also use this airfield, including the United States Coast Guard . As of 2014, San Clemente is home to an auxiliary Air Force base responsible for locating Air Force fighter pilots near the California coast. The island has United States Navy SEALs training facilities. Seven marines and one Navy sailor were presumed to have died when their amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) sank during
640-613: The California State Senate (District 33), and Josh Lowenthal in the California State Assembly (District 69). USCGC Woodrush (WLB-407) USCGC Woodrush (WLB-407) was a buoy tender that performed general aids-to-navigation (ATON), search and rescue (SAR), and icebreaking duties for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) from 1944 to 2001 from home ports of Duluth, Minnesota and Sitka, Alaska . She responded from Duluth at full speed through
680-520: The Channel Islands of California . It is owned and operated by the United States Navy , and is a part of Los Angeles County . It is administered by Naval Base Coronado . It is 21 miles (34 km) long and has 147.13 km (56.81 sq mi) of land. The 2018 census estimates 148 military and civilian personnel reside on the island. The city of San Clemente in Orange County, California
720-428: The Fitzgerald was well beyond normal commercial salvage. Observers of the survey concluded that there was more damage to the Fitzgerald than expected but were unable to determine the cause of its foundering. Although operators of CURV-III were fully prepared to recover bodies during the survey, they did not locate any of the 29-man crew. An independent researcher was contracted to review the survey results and produce
760-502: The Pisces III ' s hatch. The Cabot raised CURV-III at 60 to 100 feet (18 to 30 m) per minute until their lines entangled. The lines were cut, CURV-III was abandoned, and Pisces III was floated to 60 feet (18 m) where scuba divers were able to attach lines that were used to lift Pisces III the rest of the way to the surface. CURV-III performed the deepest underwater rescue in history when Pisces III ' s two-man crew
800-525: The United States , Canada, and England , CURV-III was deployed within 24 hours 6,000 miles from its home base. Deployment of CURV-III from CCGS John Cabot was hampered by heavy sea conditions. Rapid repairs were made when CURV-III's gyroscope failed and electronics shorted-out after green water came aboard the Cabot . Assisted by the submersibles Pisces II and Pisces V , CURV-III was able to attach lines to
840-496: The royal larkspur . Earthworms appear to have been introduced in 2008 in soil from the mainland used in a road construction project. In this earthworm-free region, the worms alter the soil and microbial communities , which allows non-native plants to change the island’s unique ecosystem and threaten biodiversity that exists there. Archaeologists have found traces of human occupation on San Clemente Island dating back 10,000 years. Later, inhabitants left trade materials from
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#1732924562980880-526: The steam-schooner California , both anchored in Pyramid Cove, on the south side of San Clemente Island, to process blue , fin and humpback whales caught by their "killer boats" (steam-driven whale catchers)—the former between 1926 and 1930, and the latter between 1933 and 1937. In 1935, the Norwegian factory ship Esperanza caught blue whales as far north as San Clemente Island. The US Navy acquired
920-568: The Japanese. It is an active sonar base and has a $ 21 million simulated city for commando training. There is a US Navy rocket-test facility on San Clemente. Some Polaris -program test rockets were launched from San Clemente between 1957 and 1960. The SEALAB III project took place off San Clemente in February 1969. The US Navy uses the island as an auxiliary naval airfield, Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island . The main runway 24/06
960-476: The goats were removed with nets and helicopters. The San Clemente Island goat is a recognized breed of domestic goat. The coves around the island are visited by snorkelers attracted by the abundant marine life , including sea lions , spiny lobsters , hydrocoral and kelp forests . The island is also home to the endangered San Clemente Island sage sparrow . After decades with no breeding by raptors , because of DDT contamination and Naval activity, there
1000-415: The island in 1934. It is the Navy's only remaining ship-to-shore live firing range, and is the center of the integrated air/land/sea San Clemente Island Range Complex covering 2,620 nm (8,990 km ). During World War II , the island was a training ground for amphibious landing craft. These small to mid-sized vessels were crucial to the island hopping that was required to attack the islands occupied by
1040-445: The island includes some plant species found nowhere else in the world. These endemic species include the wildflowers San Clemente Island brodiaea , San Clemente Island triteleia , San Clemente Island woodland star , and San Clemente Island Indian paintbrush , and the shrubs San Clemente Island bushmallow and Blair's wirelettuce . A unique subspecies of toyon , ssp. macrocarpa , also grows here, as do two rare subspecies of
1080-588: The island was Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542, who named it Victoria . It was renamed by Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno , who spotted it on November 23, 1602, Saint Clement 's feast day . It was used by ranchers, fishermen, and smugglers during the 19th century and into the 20th century. In 1835, the whaleship Elbe of Poughkeepsie, New York , under Captain Josiah B. Whippey (or Whipple), hunted sperm whales as far north as "St. Clements Island" (San Clemente Island). The American steamship Lansing , as well as
1120-423: The major faults on the California mainland. San Clemente Island has some of the best examples of marine terraces and has trench-like canyons, streams, periodic waterfalls , and pools of fresh water. Its highest point is Mount Thirst, at 1965 feet in elevation. The elevation of the island's ridge can impact precipitation, as it can cause atmospheric moisture to condense and cause more intense precipitation. This
1160-503: The nearest airstrip was 130 miles (210 km) from the disaster, operations were coordinated with other vessels in the area and Canadian helicopters, and the crew and 520 passengers were rescued without loss of life or serious injury. In 1993, she went to the assistance of the grounded cruise ship, the MV Yorktown Clipper . After serving the U.S. Coast Guard for 57 years, Woodrush was decommissioned on 2 March 2001 and sold to
1200-579: The northern islands and the mainland, including Coso obsidian from the California desert. It has not been established what tribe the recent inhabitants belonged to, although the Tongva , who are well attested from Santa Catalina Island , are the most likely candidates. The Chumash , who occupied the northern Channel Islands, may have influenced the inhabitants. Evidence of battles: 'the skeletons of dozens of men piled, one upon another' were also noted on San Clemente and San Nicolas . The first European to sight
1240-654: The remote Stannard Rock Light in Lake Superior . As the only available U.S. Coast Guard cutter available to respond to the Fitzgerald sinking on 10 November 1975, Woodrush was ordered from Duluth at "full speed" through a "gale and high seas" and arrived on scene within 24 hours. She combed the area along with the SS William Clay Ford and the SS Arthur M. Anderson until daybreak, when debris and oil were finally located. The following summer, Woodrush served as
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1280-399: The rest of her U.S. Coast Guard career performing aids to navigation (ATON), icebreaking, and search and rescue (SAR) duties. In 1980, Woodrush helped rescue the passengers and crew from the cruise ship MS Prinsendam that caught fire and sank off Graham Island , British Columbia . The Prinsendam rescue is rated by the U.S. Coast Guard as one of the ten most successful rescues because
1320-454: The sea bottom off Ireland in 1973. When a buoyancy tank was inadvertently flooded, it sank to the bottom of the ocean with its two-man crew, Britons Roger Mallinson and Roger Chapman , stranded at a depth of 1,575 feet (480 m) and 72 hours of available life support, which they were able to extend to 76 hours by careful conservation. Initial rescue efforts by Pisces III sister submersibles were unsuccessful. Through an international effort of
1360-406: The sketches of the wreck used in the United States Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board investigation reports. CURV-21 , which can reach 20,000 feet below the surface of water was being used to search for OceanGate submersible named Titan . San Clemente Island San Clemente Island ( Tongva : Kinkipar ; Spanish : Isla de San Clemente ) is the southernmost of
1400-507: The spring. This was considered key to the economy of the Great Lakes region. A former commanding officer of Woodrush reported that he deliberately grounded her many times during her buoy tending duties because that was the only way some of the buoys could be set. The Woodrush conducted many rescues during her long U.S. Coast Guard career. She rescued three lightkeepers in the early 1960s who were stranded for three days after an explosion at
1440-503: Was a factor in the intense rainstorm that hit San Diego on January 22, 2024. This region experiences warm and dry summers and moderate mild falls and winters with no average monthly temperature above 21 °C (69.5 °F). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, San Clemente Island has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate , abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps. The San Clemente Island loggerhead shrike
1480-631: Was decommissioned on 2 March 2001 and sold to the Republic of Ghana to serve in the Ghana Navy . Woodrush was built by the Zenith Dredge Company in Duluth, Minnesota as a 180 feet (55 m), Iris or C-Class tender. Her keel was laid on 4 February 1944, and she was launched on 28 April 1944. Like the "A" and "B" class tenders in the 180 feet (55 m) class, she was constructed of welded steel with
1520-523: Was named after the Woodrush plant. She was assigned general aids to navigation (ATON) and icebreaking duties with Duluth, Minnesota as her home port. Woodrush performed many duties and missions in the Duluth, Minnesota district until 31 July 1978. She was part of the icebreaking fleet of buoy tenders that kept the shipping lanes open on the Great Lakes a month longer in the winter and months earlier in
1560-571: Was rescued after 76 hours with just minutes of air remaining. CURV-III became known in the Great Lakes region in 1976 when it was used to survey the wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald . Its mother ship was USCGC Woodrush and logistics support was provided by USCG Point Steel . CURV-III logged twelve dives in 500 feet (150 m) of water with more than 56 hours of bottom time. The dives produced 43,000 feet of videotape and 895 still photographs. The CURV-III underwater survey confirmed that
1600-631: Was slightly buoyant in water. A cable and surface equipment enabled deployment and operation of the vehicle from a surface support ship. The CURV-III carried: [T]wo Vidicon television cameras, four mercury-vapor headlights, two mercury-vapor spotlights, and a 35-millimeter camera with a 500 frame color film capacity and strobe light ... mounted on two independent pan-and-tilt units, each with 360 degrees of lateral and 180 degrees of vertical movement. The vehicle thus has full viewing and self-inspection capability. Other support systems included active and passive sonar , altimeter , depthometer, and compass. It had
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