Results: Aye, Calypso!

Calypso - isn't that a type of music or orchid? In this case, Calypso is a nymph in Greek mythology featured in Homer's The Odyssey where she managed to detain Odysseus for seven years on her island promising him immortally. Her name likely comes from ancient Greek meaning to to hide or conceal. What did you think Calypso was until now?

Origins- Calypso began as a minesweeper built in Seattle, Washington for loan to the British Royal Navy in 1942 with a designation of BYMS-26. During WWII, she was based in Malta and saw service in the Mediterranean, known as BYMS-2026. After, she was given back to the US, and remained in Malta. Did you know Cousteau's ship previously saw duty as a minesweeper?

Ferry- In 1949, the vessel was bought by Joseph Gasan and converted into a ferry running mail. Gasan gave her the name Calypso G, after the nymph and the island Gozo, thought to be the location of the mythical Ogygia she lived on. After only four months of this, Gasan sold her. Ever take a ride on a ferry?

Guinness / Cousteau - in 1950, billionaire Thomas Loel Guinness (yep, of the beer family) acquires the ship with plans to make it into a personal yacht. He meets Cousteau, and ends up renting the vessel for one franc. After 9 months of work, the Calypso is transformed into an expedition ship and support base for diving, filmmaking and oceanographic research. Do you find it surprising Cousteau got his ship for so little from the descendant of a beer mogul?

Aye, Calypso! - Cousteau and team began their expedition to the Red Sea on November 24, 1951. Their journey and that of Calypso would go on for 46 years in all the worlds oceans and seas. In 1975, John Denver wrote the song Calypso as an ode to the ship and work of it's crew. Ever heard this tune?

Fate - In January 26th, 1996, Calypso is accidently hit by a barge in Singapore and immersed in water for 17 days before being brought back to La Rochelle France in '98. The intention was to restore as part of a museum, but got caught up in disagreements between the work sites and the Cousteau Foundation. She's now currently in Turkey, final fate unknown. What do you think should be done with Calypso?