On August 20, two divers reported they could find no signs of air pressure in the ninth compartment where the sailors had taken refuge. This universal sign for trapped crew had a plaintive significance in any language: 'For God's sake, get us out.' Pictured: A computer image shows a model of a deep-water rescue capsule Priz enacting a rescue operation in Barents sea Every hour, on the hour, a faint signal drifted up from the depths, four rhythmic clangs beaten out by a dying man on the boat's hull with a hammer. With LR5 on a Norwegian supply ship, Russell raced to the Barents Sea, arriving on August 19. Every hour, on the hour, a faint signal drifted up from the depths, four rhythmic clangs beaten out by a dying man on the boat's hull with a hammer.įive days after the explosions, Putin at last accepted British help. Our attitude was that, until we knew there was no hope, we had to keep trying.'įive days after the explosions, Putin at last accepted British help. 'They claimed it was under control and they didn't need our help - then at the next press conference they announced it was too late and this was now a salvage operation. 'It was extremely frustrating,' recalls Russell. The Royal Navy's DSRV, LR5, was the most reliable in the world and chances of success were reckoned to be high.īut still the Russians delayed. This attaches to a sub's escape hatch, which can then be opened to bring out survivors.Īs the hours ticked away and the world waited, the British made ever more urgent pleas to be allowed to help. The only hope for the crew was a deep-submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV). Here, with failing supplies of oxygen, they fought to keep the pumps working and prayed their comrades would rescue them. Twenty-three survivors in compartments six, seven and eight took refuge in the aftermost section. But nuclear subs are divided into compartments that can withstand immense damage. It seems incredible that anyone could have survived.
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