Apparatus for locating sources of sound in water

In an apparatus for locating sources of sound in water, including a hydrophone system which is mechanically coupled with a compass magnet (north reference) so that one given reference axis of the hydrophone system is automatically aligned with the magnetic field of the earth, a buoy, and means for suspending the hydrophone system from said buoy, after being dropped into the water;

• the improvement wherein said means for suspending comprises, in combination:
• a control box;
• a plurality of thin transmission wires, each of which is insulated with an elastic plastic coating and passes freely through the water, electrically connecting the hydrophones of the hydrophone system to said control box;
• an elastic suspending cable and electrical connecting cable extending between said control box and said buoy;
• and,
• means for mechanically connecting said hydrophone system to said control box so that seaid hydrophone system is suspended below said control box and, when operable, is rotatable in a recoiless manner about an axis which is perpendicular to the surface of the earth.