The HMS Sharktypus is a stitch-and-glue flat-bottom dinghy with a Sharktypus paint job which is currently under construction. When complete, it will serve as the principal research dinghy of the Bacliff Exploration Society.
HMS Sharktypus
Happy Trafalgar Day
Happy Trafalgar Day from the Bacliff Exploration Society.
Trafalgar Day commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar (Oct. 21, 1805), in which is the British fleet, led by Admiral Horatio Nelson defeated the combined fleets of France and Spain during the Napoleonic wars. In Texas, this holiday is second in importance only to San Jacinto Day.
Giant Squid Can Fly: Destruction of Mankind Soon to Follow
BREAKING NEWS!
New evidence suggests that mankind’s most diabolical foe — the squid — has the ability to fly. The Bacliff Exploration Society will keep you updated on these disturbing new cephalopod developments.
Happy Birthday Admiral Nelson (Sept 29, 1758)
3-million-year-old whale fossil discovered at the San Diego zoo
It is not yet known if any precious whale oil or ambergris can be recovered from the remains. Full Story
Archaeologists discover 200-year-old skeleton of a North Atlantic right whale washed up on the banks of the Thames
The 23 ft headless skeleton, weighing half a ton, was dug up at Bay Wharf, Greenwich, an area of South-East London once home to a thriving whaling industry. Full Story
Giant deep sea jellyfish filmed in Gulf of Mexico
Remarkable footage of a rarely seen giant deep sea jellyfish has been recorded by scientists. Full Story
Neritic Sounding Probe Status Update
League City, TX
A combined buoyancy and beacon test of the Neritic Sounding Probe (NSP) was deemed a failure after the primary battery developed a short during transport to the test facility located at Watergate Yachting Center.
Arrival inspection revealed that the battery compartment had melted into a sort of U shape and was hot to the touch. It was decided to quick-deploy the probe into the test tank (Clear Lake) to limit the thermal excursion while the tool bag was located and brought on line. It was noted at this time that the NSP just barely floated without the full electronics payload. It would unquestionably sink without additional buoyancy.
The Channel Locks were utilized by support personnel to gain access to the battery compartment and release the 10 D-cell batteries into the safety inspection area (grass near end of Pier-6) No fire was observed at this time. The batteries were then allowed to naturally cool in situ.
An incident investigation board was quickly convened consisting of K. Sullivan, S. Stewart, T. Campbell, and J. Eldridge. The meeting was held aboard the Bacliff Exploration Society’s principal research vessel “Solitaire”. Refreshments left over from Drowning Man 2010 were provided.
It was deemed that the cases of the D-cell batteries were positive polarity rather than the assumed negative polarity. A scuff in the plastic wrapping of the upper most battery cell caused a short to the copper strap used for the ground return path. This was responsible for the rapid discharge of the batteries which resulted in the runaway thermal excursion which made the battery compartment melt in a funky shape.
Redesign efforts are in full swing, but a schedule slip of 1 week is anticipated.
Knut Haugland, last Kon-Tiki crew member, dies aged 92
Knut Haugland, the last surviving member of the Kon-Tiki expedition that crossed the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft, has died aged 92. Full Story
Kiwi Scientist To Attempt Record For Rearing Deep-Sea Squid In Captivity
New Zealand scientist Dr Steve O’Shea, well known for his study of giant squid, is attempting to break his own world record for keeping deep sea squid alive in captivity, as a warm up to his goal of one day raising a giant squid in a tank. Full Story