The Glomar Explorer

To recover the K-129, a special ship was needed. Using Howard Hughes as a cover, the CIA had the Glomar Explorer built for this one mission.

The Glomar Explorer was a high tech drilling platform capable of keeping station on the surface while raising and lowering a huge mechanical claw three miles to the ocean floor.

The moon pool is the most famous feature of the Glomar Explorer. This section of the ship could be flooded and the giant doors that made up the bottom of the pool could be open allowing the claw and its cargo to be brought inside the ship.

This is the only known photo of the claw (below). Nicknamed Clementine, the claw consisted of lights, television cameras and steering motors connected by cables that ran through the center of the stringers (pipes used to connect the claw to the drilling derrick).

Rumors:
March 1968 | Halibut | Submarine Development Group

The Submarine:
Golf Submarine | Submarine Crew | Submarine Officers

CIA:
Project Jennifer | Glomar Explorer | Hughes Barge | Sea Wolf

Love Story:
Alexander and Irina | The Early Years | Today

About the Author Ken Sewell:
USS Parche | Ken Sewell Photos | Contact Ken Sewell | Book Tour Schedule | Autographed Books | Links