On January 23, 1960, American oceanographer Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard achieved a historic feat by descending to the Challenger Deep in the bathyscaphe Trieste, a submersible.
This groundbreaking dive marked a record-setting descent into the deepest point of the world’s oceans.
The Challenger Deep, a site of immense oceanic depth, witnessed the Trieste reaching a measured depth of 35,798 feet (10,911 meters).
Walsh and Piccard’s exploration of these profound ocean depths not only set a significant milestone in marine science but also expanded our understanding of the Earth’s underexplored and mysterious underwater realms.
Piccard died in 2008, and Walsh died on November 12, 2023.
Who Was Don Walsh?
Don Walsh was a distinguished American oceanographer, explorer, and marine policy specialist, who made great impact on the world of marine science and exploration.
Graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1954, he embarked on a illustrious career in the United States Navy, eventually attaining the rank of captain before retiring.
Named one of the world’s great explorers by Life magazine, Walsh’s achievements include diving on iconic sites such as the RMS Titanic, the German battleship Bismarck, and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge using the MIR submersible.
With over five decades dedicated to global research in and around the oceans, Walsh’s contributions to marine science have been monumental.
His accolades include multiple awards and honors, reflecting his exceptional commitment to exploration.
Walsh passed away on November 12, 2023, at the age of 92.