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 insainly sound
    
Location: Bay Area, CA
Gender: Female
How'd we get here, and how are we getting out of here?!
 |  |  | Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
< on 1/9/2013 9:01 PM >
|  | | | I don't think I'll be able to share any mind blowing revaluations about these sites, but I feel the story is important to be told. Two sites, so connected and they almost felt like mother and daughter. A bit of history on both of these sites...
Built as part of Project Azorian, and launched in 1974 the Hughes Mining Barge or or HMB-1, was designed as a shelter for the top secret capture vehicle for the retrieval of a sunken diesel powered but nuclear armed Soviet submarine.
The front of the HMB-1 as it was docked at Treasure Island (2012)
After the failed 1975 recovery attempt, newsmen were allowed on to the HMB-1.
The HMB-1 was part of a much larger recovery operation that required numerous innovations that were far ahead of their time. The HMB-1 was designed as a construction platform for the secret capture device known as Clementine. Upon Clementine's completion, the HMB-1 was to be towed off the coast of Catalina Island in Southern California, then under the cover of night the ship that was actually be completing the mission, the Hughes Glomar Explorer, pulled over the top of the HMB-1 and attached Clementine to a piece of drill pipe, the Glomar Explorer was ready to attempt recovery.
After a failed recovery attempt in the summer of 1975, the media leaked the story thwarting a second recovery attempt in the summer of 1976. Since there was no further use for the HMB-1, and it's unique submersible capabilities it was mothballed at Todd Shipyards in Alameda, CA. Until 1982 when it's unique design would once again be called upon by the Lockheed Corporation.
The HMB-1 mothballed at Todd Shipyards in Alameda.
In 1982 once again under the unique cover provided by the HMB-1 a top secret project was underway. This time protected from spy planes and satellites by the roof of the HMB-1 was the IX-529 or Sea Shadow, the worlds first stealth ship.
The pieces for the Shadow were made by four different subcontractors then shipped to Redwood City, where they were lifted into the HMB-1 under the cover of night.
As the Sea Shadow began to come together, the final layer of the ship was constructed by Lockheed in the HMB-1
After three years of construction in the summer of 1985, the HMB-1 was once again towed to sea, this time to the Santa Cruz Islands, there the HMB-1 was partially sunk, and the Sea Shadow slipped out into the dark night to begin it's sea trials.
The sea trials were only conducted at night to keep the Sea Shadow secret until the sea trials were concluded and once again the HMB-1 was once again mothballed.
In 1993 the Sea Shadow was made public and day time sea trails began.
In the late 1990's (years vary) the bridge was redone to adapt to the new technology available.
The original bridge of the Sea Shadow.
The redone bridge of the Shadow, mid scrapping.
In 2006 the IX-529 and HMB-1 were struck from the naval register and turned over to MARAD control where she was placed at the Susuin Bay Mothball Fleet, after numerous failed donation attempts the HMB-1 and Sea Shadow was sold to Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda, CA. Tragically the entire package was sold with one condition, the Sea Shadow must be scrapped domestically. She was towed to Treasure Island where the work began. By the end of November 2012, the work was completed and the IX-529 was no more. Early in 2013 the HMB-1 was finished with her change over to commercial service and was one again towed to Alameda, CA, the site of Todd Shipyards, now Bay Ship and Yacht.
The Stars Wars esque Sea Shadow was built as the only A-Frame S.W.A.T.H. hull.
Reflecting on the tools of destruction that will soon be used to end the Sea Shadow.
Down the wing on top of the Sea Shadow identification marker.
One of two rear stabilizers these in combination with the two forward canards allowed the IX-529 to navigate without the use of a ruder.
Inside the pontoon these massive hydraulic rams attached to a rotating shaft allow precise canard and stabilizer control.
The main hatch door control was a combination of hydraulic valves and high pressure lines.
The city within one of the main shipboard electrical control panels.
Before a series of holes were cut into the side of the pontoons the only access was down a claustrophobic ladder that descended at a 45 degree angle before abruptly going vertical as entering the pontoon.
The walkway into the Sea Shadow. As Scrapping progressed the stability of this walkway was proven time and time again.
The tight bunks on the Shadow were an after thought, since the original plan was to return to the HMB-1 every night for bunks.
The hatched that allowed people to climb out on the roof of the Sea Shadow. Like every hatch on the Ix-529 the hatch was designed to be perfectly flush when closed.
Due to the high scrap value the propellers were some of the first parts of the Sea Shadow to be removed and scrapped.
Each pontoon contained one of these massive electric engines and a hydraulic pump.
Looking through the water tight hatchways in the pontoon.
Most of the non-oil related piping aboard the Sea Shadow was made of carbon fiber.
Looking down on the twin V-12 generators that powered the Sea Shadow. All the overhead piping was part of the massive HVAC system that scrubbed the air and recirculated the air.
After weeks of work, cutting, grinding, and rigging the two V-12 gensets were removed and lowered to dry dock floor where they were sold to be reused.
The motor and hydraulic pumps were removed from the pontoons to be sold as well.
One grey November morning three massive 400 Excavators were loaded on board the HMB-1 to rip apart the Sea Shadow. In a matter of weeks the Sea Shadow was reduced to a pile of scrap.
Only a week after the excavators were loaded on board a critical mistake was made, allowing the massive remnants of the stealth ship to slide forward, falling almost four feet and plowing into dry dock floor.
The angle of the Sea Shadow was rather intense, but this extreme angle didn't prevent another nights adventure on board the tipped Shadow.
Looking through the removed nose of the IX-529. This was while the ship was tipped about 15 degrees forward towards drydock floor.
Looking towards once was the stern of the Sea Shadow, this was the last time I was able to walk on the Shadow. By my next visit there wasn't a ship that could have been walked on.
All that remained when the previous image was taken.
Due to another miscalculation of scrapping the entire Sea Shadow forward of the engine room crumpled forward almost hitting dry dock floor.
After the scrapping was through all I could feel was exactly what the Sea Shadow told me.
Though this post is fairly complete I still could port everything from my Flickr. I still have more to upload as over the months I managed over 20,000 shots.
Thanks for taking the time to read and look at my adventure aboard the IX-529
Check out my photo blog! |
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freeside
Location: Northern California
Gender: Male
eh vigo!
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 1 on 1/9/2013 9:16 PM >
| | | | You finally created a thread for this!! I'd been waiting awhile. Will reply again after actually reading it. ;)
-free
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Darkwolf
    
Mellow Moderator
Location: Florida... Again...
Gender: Male
I fix things!
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 2 on 1/9/2013 9:21 PM >
| | | | This made me very sad 
What a waste indeed.
*Best Post Ever* any meetups to go to the malt plant? I'll join and be the first one over, so you know I'm not a cop. Also I'll bring beer. *DO NOT MESSAGE ME WITH ISSUES. PLEASE USE CONTACT A MODERATOR* |
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cr400
 
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 3 on 1/9/2013 9:29 PM >
| | | | Very nice, very sad also. Thanks for all your hard work, I really enjoyed your write up on this fantastic old vessel.
You can see a million miles tonite, but you can't get very far.
Honorary member of UER lifetime acheivement award winning, 2Xplorations and Guide Services, Texas. |
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Alice
Location: Nor Cal
Gender: Female
"Begin at the beginning, and go on till you come to the end: then stop."
| | | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 4 on 1/9/2013 9:40 PM >
| | | | NICE JOB IS!!! Damn good write up and pics. You have truly captured history.
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here." |
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cambrianguy
 
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 5 on 1/9/2013 9:49 PM >
| | | | Great photos! Epic.
"Rest in Pieces" Sea Shadow
and
"Rest in Peace" Huell Howser
Here's Huell's visit to the IX-529
http://www.channel...-s-Gold-Sea-Shadow
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madcap
Gender: Male
not that kind of doctor
| | | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 6 on 1/9/2013 9:53 PM >
| | | | amazing. so well done man! thank you for sharing this! truly a couple wondrous pieces of history & science.
-madcap
i am the other yourself.
"Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices? I've heard them calling my name. Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors. The voice might be one and the same. I've heard it too many times to ignore it. It's something that I'm supposed to be." http://www.flickr....orers/collections/ |
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FastEddy
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 7 on 1/9/2013 10:46 PM >
| | | | Great thread! Thanks!
Sad here too, especially the "One gray November..." pic.
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TRUE
Location: Nor-Cal
Gender: Male
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be..."
| |  | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 8 on 1/9/2013 10:57 PM >
| | | | Damn fine write up IS, and documentation! Sweet photography... as always. Too bad Jane never made it out there!
The Rebel Urban Explorer |
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cr400
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 9 on 1/9/2013 11:08 PM >
| | | | At the end of the Huell Howser piece about the Sea Shadow he did an update about it being scrapped. This was one of his last shows I believe?
THAAAT'S AMAAAAAZING...... RIP Huell.
You can see a million miles tonite, but you can't get very far.
Honorary member of UER lifetime acheivement award winning, 2Xplorations and Guide Services, Texas. |
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beefeh
Gender: Male
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 10 on 1/10/2013 6:20 AM >
| | | | This was really interesting. My only critique would be that switching between names made it slightly confusing.
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dtewsacrificial
Location: Bay Area, CA
Gender: Male
On my way out the door.
| | | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 11 on 1/10/2013 10:14 AM >
| | | | Was awaiting for this post and write-up too. Great job, IS. Too bad the Sea Shadow had to be scrapped and wasn't put in a museum for more people to see. At least the HMB-1 lives on.
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decrepitude
Location: Norcal
Gender: Male
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 12 on 1/10/2013 9:02 PM >
| | | | Very nice write-up but the images really tell the tale. Thanks for sharing.
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/-/ooligan
Location: Las Vegas area
Gender: Male
When in danger, when in doubt, RUN IN CIRCLES, SCREAM AND SHOUT!
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 13 on 1/11/2013 1:18 AM >
| | | | Awesome report!
Just FYI, the Lockheed facility in Redwood City was at the harbor area in Redwood Shores. My understanding is that the only remains of left of the Lockheed structure is now a commercial facility.
/-/ooligan
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people. |
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Dav
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Gender: Male
Like fun, but different.
| |  |  | | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 14 on 1/11/2013 6:52 AM >
| | | | Breaks my heart.
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insainly sound
Location: Bay Area, CA
Gender: Female
How'd we get here, and how are we getting out of here?!
| | | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 15 on 1/13/2013 9:49 PM >
| | | | Thanks Everyone for your kind words. As much as it broke my heart and I've spent a lot of time pondering exactly why, but at the end of it all, I came to the conclusion that it had to happen. All over the ship was evidence of the governments attempt to strip classified or secret materials. The ship was once so highly classified that the leading edges (the ships edges) were classified. Even at time of the Sea Shadows scrapping, her paint was still classified and responded to light like no other paint I've seen.
With millions of tax payer dollars tied up in a ship that no museum wanted, the choice was clear, end the ship. Sad, tragic and heartbreaking as it was to see I understand why the Navy required it...
Check out my photo blog! |
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RescueMe1060
Location: San Francisco
Gender: Male
Radioactivity, its in the air for you & me
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 16 on 1/14/2013 3:57 AM >
| | | | Posted by /-/ooligan
Awesome report!
Just FYI, the Lockheed facility in Redwood City was at the harbor area in Redwood Shores. My understanding is that the only remains of left of the Lockheed structure is now a commercial facility.
/-/ooligan
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1. HMB docked
2. same area, today
http://www.flickr....rescueme1060/sets/
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Aleksandar
Location: United States
Gender: Male
your darkest shadow, my oldest friend; the world's become ashes, this is the end.
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 17 on 1/14/2013 3:58 AM >
| | | | this is an incredible post and an incredible explore.
very well done. best post of 2013 to-date!
Freedom breeds war; and Peace, slavery. So it shall be forevermore: Men who love freedom buy it with their lives, and lovers of peace with their freedom. |
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insainly sound
Location: Bay Area, CA
Gender: Female
How'd we get here, and how are we getting out of here?!
| | | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 18 on 1/15/2013 6:42 PM >
| | | | Posted by /-/ooligan
Awesome report!
Just FYI, the Lockheed facility in Redwood City was at the harbor area in Redwood Shores. My understanding is that the only remains of left of the Lockheed structure is now a commercial facility.
/-/ooligan
|
From my conversations with one of the motion control engineers of Sea Shadow, the facility at Redwood City was something akin to a sheet metal building that had barely working HVAC where the engineers toiled long hours. What that being said it's not surprising that there's nothing left of the old facility.
Post by Aleksandar
this is an incredible post and an incredible explore.
very well done. best post of 2013 to-date! |
Thank you very kindly Aleksandar!
Speaking of the HMB-1 I realized my original posting was sorely lacking in amazement of the HMB-1 so, here is a brief tour of the amazing HMB-1
Looking across the bow of the HMB-1, taken midway up the stairs to the wingwall.
The helipad was added as part of the Sea Shadow Project. It was added to cut down the transportation time to the test ground of Santa Cruz Islands early in the Sea Shadow Project. The surreal purple glow comes from the rock show and Ferris wheel off camera for a corporate party.
This air tight door was on of three entrances to the control room of the HMB-1, the original plan for Azorian called for operators to be locked away in these control rooms as the barge descended to the ocean floor. As far as I know this never happened, they brought the barge to just below this hatch and the operators departed. The final descent to the ocean floor was done remotely.
The system was a combination of hydraulic and pneumatic technologies. These are the control valves that would have controlled the descent of the HMB-1.
There are a matching set of control rooms aboard the HMB-1, one in each wing wall, so communication would have been required to make sure the operators stayed in sync and the HMB-1 descended as planed.
The display panel from the HMB-1. I'm sure this would have been considered amazing technology back in the 1970's.
The main airlock exit from the control room, from here the operator could descent to dry dock floor, or flood the air lock and swim out and to the surface.
Since the HMB-1 is not longer going to need to descent to the bottom of the ocean, this will be the new control room of the barge. From here the operator will activate a series of electronic pumps and valves to control the descent and ascent of the barge.
The drydock floor level view of the bow.
The tanks are now removed, but used to contain the diesel fuel for the Sea Shadow, when it was running low, the Sea Shadow could simply return to the shelter of the HMB-1 and be refueled before the next round of trials.
Looking across the helipad and the roof of the HMB-1.
The night sky peering through the unique retractable roof of the HMB-1.
Looking up the garage door to the amazing roof of the HMB-1.
Thanks again for looking!
Check out my photo blog! |
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Tenebrae
Location: The Wild West
Life's short; eat dessert first.
| | Re: Sometimes it's only in death we can Sea Shadows of life...
<Reply # 19 on 1/20/2013 2:06 PM >
| | | | Engaging (and saddening) writeup, great photos!
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