The collection consists of audio, video and film recordings made by Dr. Joe MacInnis and his team during his underwater dives from the 1970s to 2004. The bulk of the collection concerns the shipwrecks of the Titanic, the Breadalbane and the Edmund Fitzgerald. There are also many films that highlight deep sea ecology and oceanography, particularly hydrothermal vents and deep sea sharks. Most recordings in the collection consist of rough or unedited footage. The collection also includes television and radio programs on which Dr. MacInnis appeared and some video and audio recordings by MacInnis' friends and colleagues. There is a small selection of footage collected by MacInnis for research purposes, including footage of William Beebe and Otis Barton's deep sea dives in their revolutionary 'bathysphere' in 1934.

Deep sea exploration involves diving at depths greater then humanly possible without a submersible vehicle, or greater than 1000 feet below the surface. In this series are moving images of hydrothermal vents, deep sea sharks, the sinking of the Russian nuclear submarine Komsomollets, and ocean floor ecology. Also featured are items that explore the process of both underwater exploration and underwater cinematography in deep sea settings. Recordings are of varying stages of production from raw footage to full productions. Some of the recordings are in Russian.

Recorded in the Atlantic Ocean from Harbor Branch Oceanographic. Otis Barton joins the Johnson Sea Link Sub Crew for a commemorative dive. Barton was a pioneer underwater explorer and the designer of the bathysphere (1930). This recording is one of four that documents the conversation between Barton and the other diver during the dive. The view is solely of inside the submersible and of the two men. The bathysphere was designed by underwater explorers Otis Barton and William Beebee and took its first plunge in 1930. A bathysphere consists of a steel sphere with small circular windows of fused quartz. Inside it are the required oxygen tanks. During dives, these vessels were lowered into the water with cables and chains. During its first year, the bathysphere design could already dive to depths of 1,426 feet, two years later breaking records at 3,028 feet. Many discoveries about the deep sea were made from the confines of these vessels.

Recorded in the Atlantic Ocean from Harbor Branch Oceanographic. Otis Barton joins the Johnson Sea Link Sub Crew for a commemorative dive. Barton was a pioneer underwater explorer and the designer of the bathysphere (1930). This recording documents the above water conversation after the dive. This is the last of four recordings that document this commemorative dive. The bathysphere was designed by underwater explorers Otis Barton and William Beebee and took its first plunge in 1930. A bathysphere consists of a steel sphere with small circular windows of fused quartz. Inside it are the required oxygen tanks. During dives, these vessels were lowered into the water with cables and chains. During its first year, the bathysphere design could already dive to depths of 1,426 feet, two years later breaking records at 3,028 feet. Many discoveries about the deep sea were made from the confines of these vessels.

Recorded in the Atlantic Ocean from Harbor Branch Oceanographic. Otis Barton joins the Johnson Sea Link Sub Crew for a commemorative dive. Barton was a pioneer underwater explorer and the designer of the bathysphere (1930). This recording is one of four that documents the conversation between Barton and the other diver during the dive. The view is solely of inside the submersible and of the two men. The bathysphere was designed by underwater explorers Otis Barton and William Beebee and took its first plunge in 1930. A bathysphere consists of a steel sphere with small circular windows of fused quartz. Inside it are the required oxygen tanks. During dives, these vessels were lowered into the water with cables and chains. During its first year, the bathysphere design could already dive to depths of 1,426 feet, two years later breaking records at 3,028 feet. Many discoveries about the deep sea were made from the confines of these vessels.

Recorded in the Atlantic Ocean from Harbor Branch Oceanographic. Otis Barton joins the Johnson Sea Link Sub Crew for a commemorative dive. Barton was a pioneer underwater explorer and the designer of the bathysphere (1930). This recording is one of four that documents the conversation between Barton and the other diver during the dive. The view is solely of inside the submersible and of the two men. The bathysphere was designed by underwater explorers Otis Barton and William Beebee and took its first plunge in 1930. A bathysphere consists of a steel sphere with small circular windows of fused quartz. Inside it are the required oxygen tanks. During dives, these vessels were lowered into the water with cables and chains. During its first year, the bathysphere design could already dive to depths of 1,426 feet, two years later breaking records at 3,028 feet. Many discoveries about the deep sea were made from the confines of these vessels.

Recorded in the Atlantic Ocean from Harbor Branch Oceanographic. Otis Barton joins the Johnson Sea Link Sub Crew for a commemorative dive. Barton was a pioneer underwater explorer and the designer of the bathysphere (1930). This recording includes the launch of the submersible into the water. This recording is the first of four that documents the conversation between Barton and the other diver during the dive. Most of the recording is of inside the submersible and of the two men. The bathysphere was designed by underwater explorers Otis Barton and William Beebee and took its first plunge in 1930. A bathysphere consists of a steel sphere with small circular windows of fused quartz. Inside it are the required oxygen tanks. During dives, these vessels were lowered into the water with cables and chains. During its first year, the bathysphere design could already dive to depths of 1,426 feet, two years later breaking records at 3,028 feet. Many discoveries about the deep sea were made from the confines of these vessels.

This underwater recording is of scent traps at various depths and the sea life that ate the bait. The traps are recorded at depths of 490 feet, 1000 feet and 2007 feet. The traps contain brine shrimp and fluorescein, a substance that is used to cause fluorescence and therefore visibility. Shrimp and a jellyfish that have eaten the bait can be seen at the deepest depth in this recording.

This recording is of hundreds of jellyfish swimming at an undisclosed depth. The highlight of this recording is a mass of jellyfish that are together for unknown reasons. Those conducting the research theorize that the jellyfish are either caught together, there tentacles intertwined and knotted, or feasting on something.

Dr. Joe MacInnis, a physician and underwater researcher, discusses the recent advances in underwater research at a Nipissing University lecture. MacInnis begins with the discovery of the shipwrecks: the Titanic and the Atocha, and follows with the main part of the lecture, the discovery accomplished by his own team of Breadalbane shipwreck. Included are: a brief history of the ship, the efforts that went into the discovery, the difficulties of Arctic exploration as well as the benefits of cold water related to the state of preservation of the ship, and scientific discoveries that result from this type of expedition. The later part of the lecture explores new aspects of undersea research and future expeditions planned for Bermuda and the Canadian Great Lakes.

Raw footage of visitors at the Kiel Port Keldish Sub Memorial

Raw footage of Emory Kistof walking around the port and footage of ships.

Unedited live action footage of six-gill sharks attempting to get at bait in a cage. The recording climaxes when two six-gill sharks fight mouth to mouth. The recording also includes other types of deep ocean animal life like crabs, eels and/or fish and an unidentified translucent creature. The recording is shot from the Mir 1 submersible as documented in Deep Sea Sharks Bermuda 4,000, an edited and produced version of this recording.

The recording is of several news clips featuring footage taken of the sunken Russian nuclear submarine: Komsomolets, followed by a dub of raw footage of the wreck. The news stories all discuss the fall of the Komsomolets and the possible threat of leakage from the nuclear reactors and nuclear tipped warheads that were aboard this new class of submarines. According to the newscasters, the footage was released by the Soviets to the public with hopes to entice international awareness about the threat of nuclear leakage and to receive international aid in dealing with this situation. The raw footage of the Komsomolets that follows the section of news clips features various parts of the vessel as it lies deep in the ocean. A discussion can be heard by those aboard the submersible that is recording the wreck but the conversation is completely in Russian. News clips include statements from Dr. Joe MacInnis. The capture took place in the Arctic Ocean off the coast of northern Europe.

This recording is of hydrothermal vents and surrounding chemosynthetic life deep on the ocean floor. Hydrothermal vents are one of the greatest discoveries of the twentieth century. They are theorized to be the originators of life on earth. This recording was made by the MIR submersibles that travel with their mothership RV Akademik Mstislav Keldysh, an oceanographic research vessel. The submersibles can reach depths of 6000 meters (almost 20,000 feet).

TAG Atlantic vents 14,000' is an edited live action recording of hydrothermal vents and vent ecology at the TAG site deep on the North Atlantic Ocean floor. Hydrothermal vents are one of the greatest discoveries of the twentieth century. They are theorized to be the originators of life on earth. In this recording the ecology consists primarily of millions of shrimp. The recording was made by aid of the Mir submersibles, who typically dive in pairs, one of whom can be seen recording the vents and shrimp. The scene was probably recorded in 1991, two years after an underwater volcanic eruption at that site.
Deep sea sharks Bermuda 4,000' is an edited live action recording of two six-gill sharks attempting to get at bait that is inside a cage. The recording climaxes when two six-gill sharks fight mouth to mouth. The unedited version of this version can be seen in: Bermuda sub-dive roll 3; Emory Eugenie shark baiting. The recording is shot from the Mir 1 submersible as documented in: Deep Sea Sharks Bermuda 4,000, a produced version of the recording.

This recording is a documentary account of the survey conducted with the aid of the Mir submersibles of the sunken Russian nuclear submarine Komsomolets. The recording begins with an at sea memorial for sunken vessel. Next are shots of a map of the Komsomolets with certain areas marked in red, possibly where samplers and beacons will be left during the submarine dives to record radioactive leakage. Following this are dives to the sunken vessel in the Mir 1 and 2 submersibles. During the dives, Mir’s mechanical arms take parts and samples and leave samplers and other objects in and around the Komsomolets.
The K-278 Komsomolets, a Soviet nuclear submarine, was launched May 9, 1983 and was lost April 7, 1989 in northern Europe in the Arctic Ocean. The submarine had an operating depth of 1000 meters and was designed with the ability to dive to 1500 meters. Aboard the vessel were torpedoes including two nuclear warheads. The submarine’s demise was caused by a fire; it sank to a depth of around 1500 meters. There were 25 survivors and 42 fatalities. The controversy surrounding the loss of this vessel has to do with radioactive contamination from the nuclear reactor and nuclear torpedoes. Leakage could potentially contaminate drinking water, affect fish population and the ecology. Several expeditions to the Komsomolets have been undertaken to probe the area. Although earlier tests showed no signs of dangerous leakage, later tests revealed this was not so. The Komsomolets has since been buried in mud to seal fractures and contain radioactive leakage.

TAG Atlantic vents 14,000' was recorded deep in the Atlantic Ocean. The location and date information is documented in: TAG Atlantic Vents, an edited and produced version of this recording.
TAG Atlantic vents 14,000' is an edited live action recording of hydrothermal vents and vent ecology at the TAG site deep on the North Atlantic Ocean floor. Hydrothermal vents are one of the greatest discoveries of the twentieth century. They are theorized to be the originators of life on earth. In this recording the vent ecology consists primarily of millions of shrimp. The recording was probably made by aid of the Mir submersibles, who typically dive in pairs, one of whom can be seen recording the vents and shrimp. The scene was probably recorded in 1991, two years after an underwater volcanic eruption at that site.

The recording takes place at the Offshore Training Research Centre (OTRC) in College Station Texas. The recording is raw footage which documents trainees learning how to pilot deep sea submersibles in an interior training facility. Ian Griffin of Nuytco Research, lead instructor of Training for Sustainable Seas Expeditions at OTRC, teaches students how to pilot the Newt and the Deep Rover submersibles. Trainees include Sylvia Earl, explorer in residence at National Geographic, who helped develop the Deep Rover and Robert Furgason, President of Texas University Corpus Christi. Dr. Joe MacInnis is behind the camera.

The recording takes place at the Offshore Training Research Centre (OTRC) in College Station Texas. The recording is raw footage which documents trainees learning how to pilot deep sea submersibles in an interior training facility. Ian Griffin of Nuytco Research, lead instructor of Training for Sustainable Seas Expeditions at OTRC, teaches students how to pilot the Deep Worker and the Deep Rover submersibles. Dr. Joe MacInnis pilots a submersible in the pool. Other traines include Sylvia Earl, explorer in residence at National Geographic, who helped develop the Deep Rover and Wes Turner, biology professor at Texas University Corpus Christi. The recording also contains an interview with Phil Nuytten of Nuytco Research in which he explains ideas behind the design of the Deep Worker submersible. MacInnis is behind the camera.

The recording takes place at the Offshore Training Research Centre (OTRC) in College Station Texas.

Compilation of wildlife scenery and deep sea footage.

In this series are moving images of underwater explorations of lakes in Canada (Lake Huron, Lake Erie) and a Russia (Lake Baikal). Also featured are items that explore the process of both underwater exploration and underwater cinematography in lake settings. Recordings are of varying stages of production from raw footage to full productions and promotional videos.

Item covers the underwater exploration of War of 1812 US ships in Lake Ontario.

Notes from initial viewing: colour (faded); no narration, no sound track. Man in yellow ADS (atmospheric diving suit, possibly a WASP suit) picking up shipwreck's steering wheel, with orange coral growth. Bioluminescent sea creatures; jellyfish swimming towards WASP suit. Sea life inhabiting inside of exterior cubby shelf on Breadalbane shipwreck. WASP suit attached to cable, in mid-water. Man inside WASP suit gesturing to come closer; wipes inside of helmet with white cloth.