National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Mystic (DSRV-1), 1970-2008

Following the loss of USS Thresher (SSN-593) in April 1963, the Deep Submarine Rescue System was developed, resulting in the deep-submergence vehicles Mystic (DSRV-1) and Avalon (DSRV-2).   Launched in January 1970 and acquired by the U.S. Navy that June, Mystic served until October 2008.  The primary mission of the vehicle was for quick deployment on a mother vessel to assist a distressed submarine.   The DSRV would then be able to attach to the submarine's hatch and embark up to 24 persons from depths of 3,500 feet to the mother vessel.  During her operational career, Mystic was never utilized for a disabled submarine. 

Mystic is currently exhibited at the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Washington.   For further information on the vessel and the museum, please click here.    

A model of Mystic was on display in the Undersea Exploration exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, Bldg 76, Bay 16, Left Side.   

Image:  330-CFD-DN-SC-86-00167:  Mystic (DSRV-1), 1977.  Aerial port beam view of USS Pintado (SSN-672) with the DSRV mounted on top.   Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.