Opening the Great Depths: The Bathyscaph Trieste and Pioneers of Undersea Exploration

Opening the Great Depths: The Bathyscaph Trieste and Pioneers of Undersea Exploration

Developed by French physicist Auguste Piccard and his son Jacques, the bathyscaph Trieste was a scientific marvel that allowed unprecedented scientific, technical, and military feats in the ocean depths. France and the United States both acquired and subsequently developed variants of the original bathyscaph. While both France and the United States employed the bathyscaph as a tool for scientific investigation of the deepest ocean depths, the U.S. Navy developed and employed the Trieste for military missions as well. From its earliest years, participants in the Trieste program realized that they were making history, blazing a trail into previously unexplored and unexploited depths, developing new capabilities and opening a new frontier. Comparisons with developments in space and the space-race between the United States and the Soviet Union often were made concerning the Trieste program and contemporary developments in undersea technologies and capabilities. The Trieste opened the entire oceans to exploration, exploitation, and operations. The bathyscaph was a first-generation system, a Model-T that spawned an entirely new industry and encouraged new concepts for deep-ocean naval operations. Advances in deep-sea technologies lacked the gee-whiz factor of the concurrent space race, but were highly significant in the development of new technology, new knowledge, and new military capabilities. Opening the Great Depths is the story of the three Trieste deep-ocean vehicles, their officers and enlisted men, and the civilians, often told in their own words, documenting for the first time the earliest years of humanity's probing into Earth's final frontier. “ Opening the Great Depths is a detailed look at the technological development of deepsea bathyscaphes and manned expeditions into the deepest places of the planet…. Featuring a forward by retired Lieutenant Don Walsh, the book is a great read and stands as a significant contribution to maritime history.”— Sea History “The authors provide an important history for readers interested in undersea research.” — Navy Reads “This book, at last, tells the story of the Trieste craft and the people who built and operated them.” — Seapower “ Opening the Great Ocean Depths is an engaging tale with a colorful cast of characters that shows that those who dare, can achieve great things. Readers with an interest in the history of oceanographic exploration will find this an information work as will those interested in the evolution of U.S. Navy’s research into deep water operations. The book provides illuminating details of Trieste’s involvement in the search for both the USS Thresher and the USS Scorpion. An excellent addition to your maritime history library!” — Armchair General “Polmar and Mathers present an informative, entertaining, and fascinating story in Opening the Great Depths . This book will captivate readers.” — Ricochet “Thirty years after the Cold War, much of the Navy’s submarine service’s huge contribution to victory is still quite secret. Even less known are the contributions of the scientists and explorers whose daring expeditions in the deepest seas made those Navy successes possible. Now the ideal co-authors are able tell those amazing true tales. Combining science and adventure, Polmar and Mathers have produced a real page-turner.” — John Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy, author of Oceans Ventured and Winning the Cold War at Sea “This is an exceptional and essential book, offering an authoritative assessment of the craft and the people who pioneered exploration of and working in the last great frontier on this planet, the deep ocean. I highly recommend it.” — James P. Delgado, aquanaut, archaeologist and author of War at Sea: A Shipwrecked History “ Opening the Great Depths is a fascinating account of the Trieste program, which enabled deep sea exploration for the first time, achieving unprecedented scientific and military feats. Polmar and Mathers do an amazing job weaving the technical details into a gripping account of the failures and successes achieved. Explorers and scientists, plus ocean and military enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy the journey as those aboard the Trieste descended into one of Earth’s most inhospitable environments—the ocean depths.” — Rick Campbell, #1 Bestselling author of The Trident Deception series “The authors tell a good story about these remarkable vehicles, the adventures experienced and the many personal risks taken by the people involved. They also discuss the technology and construction in laymen's terms. A great read for those interested in deep ocean and submarine technology.” — Capt. Charles M. Staehle, USNR (Ret.), first pilot of DSV’s-1 and TRIESTE Pilot No. 12 —Winner of the John Lyman Book Award in the category of “Naval and Maritime Science and Technology” Norman Polmar is an analyst, consultant, and author, specializing in naval, aviation, and technology subjects. He has be