Photo Credit: Lamont Archives
R. V. Vema.
Technically, Vema was not part of the SOFAR Fleet, but is included here because she was owned and operated by Columbia University, and performed a vast amount of work in geophysics. She was based at Woods Hole near Boston, but travelled all over the world performing a broad range of research.
While operating off the coast of Western Australia, on March 1st 1960, she set off a series of 200 lb underwater explosions, which were barely heard in Bermuda 3 1/2 hours later. This was in an attempt to verify whether the Sound Channel Axis could be used for very long range communication and atomic explosion detection.
(There is a LOT more to this story, which I will be recounting when the final outcome of recent developments is known. Even today, the 'work' of SOFAR lives on!)
Now if that doesn't pique your interest, nothing will!!
Posted July 2014
While operating off the coast of Western Australia, on March 1st 1960, she set off a series of 200 lb underwater explosions, which were barely heard in Bermuda 3 1/2 hours later. This was in an attempt to verify whether the Sound Channel Axis could be used for very long range communication and atomic explosion detection.
(There is a LOT more to this story, which I will be recounting when the final outcome of recent developments is known. Even today, the 'work' of SOFAR lives on!)
Now if that doesn't pique your interest, nothing will!!
Posted July 2014
Photo courtesy of Tom Graves. Taken late 1950's.
'Vema' is the black hulled schooner on the right.
'Vema' in St. Greorge's Harbour. (Dark hull on the right.)
Posted July 2014.
Posted July 2014.
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'Vema' in New York Harbour.
'Vema' was owned by Columbia University, New York, so this would be her home base, however, she was very seldom "at home". As described in the map and commentary below, she had a very busy life of discovery. I have no idea whether this marked a special occasion, meriting a photo memorial, nor by whom it was taken. Posted Aug. 2024 |
Photo Courtesy of Gregg Hamilton.
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The following post is drawn from the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory/Columbia University Earth Institute webpage. The full article can be found here.
Posted July 2014. Image Credit: John Diebold & GMT mapping software.
'Vema' started life in 1923 as a luxury schooner for E. F. Hutton, christened 'Hussar'. In 1934, she was sold to G. U. Vetlesen and renamed 'Vema', his wife's nickname. During World War II, ownership was transferred to the US Government to perform Coast Guard and other duties.
After the war, she was abandoned on Staten Island for several years, but eventually salvaged and re-fitted for charter work by a Nova Scotian captain. in 1953, she was leased and soon purchased by Columbia, and immediately started her almost non-stop, 28 year research of the world's oceans. In 1981, she was sold, and renamed 'Mandalay'. In her lifetime working for Columbia, 'Vema' racked up a world record 1,225,000 nautical miles. (See map opposite.)
And normally that is where the story would end, but this is the SOFAR site, and there is always more to report. (Later!!)
Posted July 2014
After the war, she was abandoned on Staten Island for several years, but eventually salvaged and re-fitted for charter work by a Nova Scotian captain. in 1953, she was leased and soon purchased by Columbia, and immediately started her almost non-stop, 28 year research of the world's oceans. In 1981, she was sold, and renamed 'Mandalay'. In her lifetime working for Columbia, 'Vema' racked up a world record 1,225,000 nautical miles. (See map opposite.)
And normally that is where the story would end, but this is the SOFAR site, and there is always more to report. (Later!!)
Posted July 2014