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Lasting Legacy

Few research vessels have traveled as far or worked as long as Atlantis II, shown here undergoing remodeling in Boston to accommodate the launch and recovery of the deep-sea submersible Alvin. During its 33-year career Atlantis II—nicknamed A-2—traveled more than 1,000,000 miles and spent over 8,000 days at sea, visiting 78 nations along the way. The ship’s career was not only groundbreaking geographically: A-2 was also one of the first research vessels to take female scientists to sea and employ women as crew. (Photo courtesy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Archives)