Ben Franklin (PX-15)

Erwin Aebersold, Jim, and Bertrand Piccard speak via video conference with Jacques Piccard, who was in Switzerland and unable to attend the Ben Franklin re-dedication and reunion, September 2003.

Jim accepts the U.S. flag carried aboard Ben Franklin during the Gulf Stream Drift Mission from engineer and pilot Erwin Aebersold, September 2003.

Erwin Aerbersold explains some of Ben Franklin’s characteristics to Jim at the Ben Franklin re-dedication and reunion at the museum, September 2003.

Jim speaks during the re-dedication ceremonies for Ben Franklin at the museum, September 2003.

Jim accepts a gift from Bertrand Piccard during the re-dedication ceremonies of Ben Franklin at the museum, 2004.

Jim hard at work reassembling the submersible Ben Franklin. Another great picture of Jim "on the job" (... a job he loves to heart).

Jim is paint-spattered and with climbing harness ready, he is about to work atop the sub Ben Franklin, bolting on deck plates in the summer of 2003.

In the conning tower of the submersible Ben Franklin just prior to restoration at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Vancouver Sun Photo by Ian Smith.

While Jim waits atop Ben Franklin, a crane prepares to lift and lower the heavy tower over him so he can bolt it into place during the submersible's restoration.

The surviving Ben Franklin Gulf Stream Drift Mission crew – Chester “Chet” May, Donald “Kaz” Kazimir, and Erwin Aebersold, along with Jim and Betrand Piccard speak via videoconference with Jacques Piccard in Switzerland, September 2003.

Jim climbs down into the submersible Ben Franklin just prior to restoration at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Vancouver Sun Photo by Ian Smith.

Usually below the surface, here Jim is in the air during the reassembly of the historic submersible Ben Franklin at the Vancouver Maritime Museum - as usual, he's hands-on with a project!

Erwin Aebersold, Jim, and Bertrand Piccard speak via videoconference with Jacques Piccard, who was in Switzerland and unable to attend the Ben Franklin rededication and reunion, September 2003.

Jim speaks with Jacques Piccard.