John P. Craven | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1924-10-30)October 30, 1924 |
| Died | February 12, 2015(2015-02-12) (aged 90) Hawaii, US |
| Allegiance | American |
| Branch | Navy |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Civilian Service AwardNavy Distinguished Civilian Service Award[1] |
| Alma mater | Cornell University (BA)Cal Tech (M.S.),Iowa (PhD);George Washington Law (JD) |
| Spouse | Dorothy Drakesmith |
John Piña Craven (October 30, 1924 – February 12, 2015) was an American scientist who was known for his involvement withBayesian search theory and the recovery of lost objects at sea. He was Chief Scientist of theSpecial Projects Office of the United States Navy.
John Piña Craven was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1924.[1] He held aBachelor of Arts degree fromCornell University, aMaster of Science degree from theCalifornia Institute of Technology, aPh.D. from theUniversity of Iowa, and a law degree from theNational Law Center of theGeorge Washington University.[1][2]
He met his wife, Dorothy Drakesmith, while attending the University of Iowa.[1]
Craven had 40 years of experience in the innovation, development, design, construction, and operational deployment of major oceanic systems. As a boy, John Piña Craven studiedocean technology at theBrooklyn Technical High School, and he became familiar with the ocean on the beaches ofLong Island and the waterfront of New York City.
DuringWorld War II, Craven served as an enlisted man on theUSS New Mexico (BB-40).[2] In 1944, Craven was selected for the navy'sV-12 program for officer trainees. From this, he earned his commission as anensign in the navy. After earning his Ph.D., Craven worked at theDavid Taylor Model Basin of theNaval Surface Warfare Center atCarderock, Maryland, working onnuclear submarine hull designs. He received two civilian service awards in connection with these developments. He was later appointed as the project manager for the navy'sPolaris submarine program and the navy's Special Projects Office. He later became its chief scientist.[2] Craven was awarded two Distinguished Civilian Service Awards (the Department of Defense's highest honor for civilians) among other commendations.[2]
While working for the navy, Craven helped pioneer the use ofBayesian search techniques to locate objects lost at sea (Bayesian search theory). Craven's work was instrumental in the navy's search for the missinghydrogen bomb that had been lost in theMediterranean Sea, off the coast ofSpain in1966.[2] Craven's next large accomplishment was in the search for and locating of the submarineUSS Scorpion (SSN-589), which had disappeared in deep water in theAtlantic Ocean west ofPortugal and Spain.[3]
As chief scientist of the Special Projects Office, Craven was in charge of theDeep Submergence Systems Project, which included theSEALAB program. In February 1969, whenaquanautBerry L. Cannon died while attempting to repair a leak in SEALAB III, Craven headed an advisory group that determined the best method of salvaging the SEALABhabitat.[2]
After leaving the navy, Craven became the marine affairs coordinator for the State ofHawaii and also the dean of marine programs at theUniversity of Hawaii.[2] During his time in Hawaii, it has been alleged that Craven was involved in the development and operation of the secretive salvage shipGlomar Explorer, built to follow up on the discovery of a sunken Soviet submarine, theK-129, by other of Craven's projects, the nuclear-powered spy submarineHalibut.[4]
Craven also served on the U.S. government's Weather Modification Commission during theCarter Administration. During that time, a hypothetical method was developed to significantly reduce the impact oftropical cyclones. In 1976, after losing in his campaign to become a member of theUnited States House of Representatives, Craven was appointed as the Director of the Law of the Sea Institute. In 2001, he was the president of the Common Heritage Corporation.[2]
After earning his law degree through an evening program, Craven was responsible for directing the International Law of the Sea Institute. In 1990 he established the Common Heritage Corporation for innovation management to benefit thecommon heritage of mankind. Craven was a member of theNational Academy of Engineering.
According to the magazineWired, Craven's latest undertaking was to link islands in thePacific Ocean with sustainable energy, agriculture, and freshwater through the use ofDeep Ocean Water pumped up using pipes from offshore. He was developing a new and innovative cold water therapy, which may produce significant health breakthroughs and slow the aging process.
Craven wrote the book,The Silent War: The Cold War Battle Beneath the Sea.[2]
John Piña Craven's daughter,Sarah Craven, is a prominent international advocate of women's rights.
John Piña Craven resided inHonolulu, Hawaii for many years. In 1994, he ran against long-term Honolulu mayorFrank Fasi for the nomination of the new Best Party for governor; Fasi won the nomination but came in second in the general election.
In 1998, he received the first Distinguished Civilian Service Award by theNaval Submarine League for his work onScorpion,Polaris, and other projects.[5]
Craven died in Honolulu on February 12, 2015, at the age of 90, fromParkinson's disease.[6]
Halibut detected it, three miles down and wrecked by an explosion, and took 22,000 photos; the CIA then went wild, and in 1974 sent a specially built ship, the Glomar Explorer, to try to raise the submarine
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