Alvin gyrocompass performance report : 5 June 1974 to 15 September 1974

Abstract

This report documents the performance of two gyrocompasses used on ALVIN between 5 June and 15 Sept., 1974. During this period ALVIN participated in Project FAMOUS and completed a series of dives on the new England Sea Mounts. A Gyrosystems, Inc., Model 800 gyrocompass was used from June 5th until August 9th. A Sperry Marine Systems Company subminiature gyrocompass was used from August 9 through September 15. The Sperry and Gyrosystems compasses provided an accuracy within several degrees when cmpared to the ship's compass. The data does not represent a controlled evaluation since it was impossible to take reading simultaneously on ALVIN's and the support ship's compasses. Therefore this report should be considered as an at sea operational evaluation. Within the limitations of the evaluation and using the method described for calculating "offset" and "average error" the following summary comparison can be made. The Sperry gyrocompass had an average error of about 1.4°. The Gyrosystems Model 800 had an average error of 4.6°.