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The diving bell ship Carl Straat and its newer counterpart Archimedes are specialized vessels designed to retrieve cargo from riverbeds without the need for divers or cranes. These ships feature a pressurized room that can be lowered to the bottom of a river, allowing crew members to walk underwater without getting wet. The process works similarly to an inverted drinking glass trapping air underwater. The Carl Straat has been in use since 1963 and has been replaced by the Archimedes, which is used for tasks like retrieving lost cargo, underwater maintenance, and even uncovering unexploded ordnance from World War II. The ships operate in shallow waters, usually 13 to 25 feet deep, and maintain pressure to keep water out, allowing crew members to work comfortably for up to three hours. The Carl Straat is now up for sale, potentially suitable for operations like gold dredging.