22 FRONTIERS IN OCEANIC RESEARCH 



This 5-hour descent permitted adequate time for observations of the 

 environmental conditions characteristic of the 7-mile water column. 



On the sea floor, 35,800 feet down in the Challenger Deep, the oc- 

 cupants of the sphere viewed living organisms, observed the physical 

 characteristics of the sea floor, and conveyed to the surface by voice 

 via an electronic acoustic device that they were safely at the bottom. 



The deep dive stands by itself as a significant achievement by man 

 in his unending attempt to expand his capabilities to occupy and 

 investigate more of the Earth's spaces. 



The record descents made during Project Nekton of 18,600, 24,000, 

 and 35,800 feet are in reality only a byproduct of a scientific program 

 seeking information of diverse types. 



Technologically it does represent a significant milestone which will 

 undoubtedly incite future development in deep submersibles and 

 equipment for manned and unmanned exploration and exploitation of 

 inner space. 



The development of the vehicle with the capabilies of the Trieste 

 makes the greater part of the ocean's 1,370 million cubic kilometers of 

 water available as an operating medium for national security. 



It also renders much of the 361 million square kilometers of sea 

 floor accessible for the search of minerals, fuels, and other natural 

 resources. 



Prior to any significant utilization of this geographic frontier, there 

 is a requirement for the development of basic knowledge about the 

 deep sea environment, and the operational problems that are to be 

 encountered. 



This, of course, represents a tremendous task, and we are only initiat- 

 ing it through the bathyscaph program. The bathyscaph program 

 is in effect but it obviously involves only a modest nucleus of equip- 

 ment and personnel. 



The bathyscaph, as purchased by the United States, is in reality a 

 model "T" of the deep submersibles. It has, however, conquered the 

 depth barrier, and points the way to more advanced vehicles. Never- 

 theless, as far as we know it is still the best in the world. French and 

 Russian bathyscaphs under development will undoubtedly surpass the 

 versatility of the Trieste. 



In view of the recent U.S. Navy contribution to the deeep-sea explo- 

 ration, a news release from Washington, D.C., dated April 21, 1959, 

 which appeared in the San Diego Union, is of interest. 



Pertinent excerpts are as follows : 



Deep-sea diving operations of the San Diego-based bathyscaph Trieste are 

 "opening the way to a new era of undersea exploration," Gordon Lill, Chief of the 

 Geophysical Branch of the Office of Naval Research, said today. 



"The Trieste," Lill said, "is the forerunner of a fleet of deep diving craft of 

 several types that within a few years will be exploring the ocean fully in its 

 third dimension — depth." 



The bathyscaph was a proven oceanographic research platform pro- 

 gram before purchase by the U.S. Navy. In 1957 dives were con- 

 ducted in the Mediterranean under the auspices and support of the 

 U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research. Utilized by a team of American 

 scientists from several Government laboratories, Ihe craft was found 

 to be useful for oceanographic studies. 



Herein we had to prove its worth before we could purchase it. 



