|
| History |
|---|
| France |
|---|
| Owner | Cousteau Society |
| Port of registry | France |
| Launched | 1959 |
| Maiden voyage | 1959 |
| Homeport | Marseille, France |
| Identification | SP-350 |
| Nickname(s) | Denise |
| Status | Decommissioned |
| General characteristics |
|---|
| Type | Submarine |
| Displacement | 3.8 tonnes |
| Length | 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in) |
| Beam | 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in) |
| Draught | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) |
| Propulsion | Electric water jet |
| Speed | 1 knot |
| Endurance | 96 hours (one person) |
| Test depth | 1,000 m (3,300 ft) |
| Complement | 2 |
| Crew | 2 |
The SP-350 Denise, famous as the "Diving saucer" (Soucoupe plongeante), is a small submarine designed to hold two people, and is capable of exploring depths of up to 400 metres (1,300 ft). It was invented by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and engineer Jean Mollard at the French Centre for Undersea Research. It was built in the year 1959 and usually operated from Cousteau's ship, the Calypso.
