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| Testing a model of the submersible | | |
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| The Ben Franklin being lowered into the water | | |
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In 1965 Dr Jacques Piccard met with Marc Bailley-Cowell, a representative of Grumman Aerospace Corporation. At that time Grumman made private and military airplanes and was working on the lunar module for the Apollo missions but they were interested in diversifying into building submarines. An agreement was struck between Piccard and Grumman to build a Mesoscaph (a submersible which could operate in the intermediate depths) primarily for the exploration of the Gulf Stream. This project was called PX-15, which would later be known as Ben Franklin.
Construction began on March 16, 1967 in Monthey, Switzerland. The European phase of construction finished one year later. The submersible was transported on a train to Antwerp, Belgium where it was place on board M/S Anvers, which took it to Palm Beach Florida where the final touches to the submersible were made. PX-15 was launched on July 26, 1968 and was christened Ben Franklin on August 21, 1968 after the American scientist who was the first to systematically study the Gulf Stream.
The next seven months would be devoted to testing the submersible through a series of check out dives to ensure that it was ready for the beginning of the Gulf Stream Drift Mission on July 14, 1969. |
