DEEEEP DIVE !!!!!

[21]

James Cameron the movie producer is planning a dive to the deepest part of the world's ocean; the Challenger deep.

It had only been dove once before by manned craft. The USN in the bathyscaphe FRNS 111, "The Trieste" way back in January 1960, reached the bottom at 35,810 feet with Lt Don Walsh,USN and Piccard on board.

This is the latest e mail from the expedition;

"Dear all,

Just a quick note to fill you in on the latest news streaming in regarding Jim Cameron's expedition to dive to the bottom of the Marianna Trench. He made a 5 mile deep dive 2 weeks ago and is preparing for the full depth dive anytime.

News just came in that he successfully completed an unmanned dive to the bottom of the trench this morning, March 20, 2012.

The actual dive will take place soon, sometime is in the week. Kevin Hardy and Don Walsh are on the ship with Jim Cameron.

I'll keep you posted as I hear news.

Best regards,

Will"

FYI There was a strong involvement of SoCal, San Diego & Orange County in the 1960 dive--but that is another story for another time and place

[YankDownUnder]

Did the Trieste make an unmanned dive to test the gear? Does OSHA know about this?

[uwstlth]

Mission accomplished TODAY.

[21]

FROM THE MOTHER SHIP

"Date: Sunday, March 25, 2012, 4:12 PM

Great news. Jim Cameron is on the floor of Challenger Deep. He arrived about an hour ago, and is motoring about in his submarine. All systems are good. Your Dad (Ed Note: Dr. Andrus Rechnitzer) was more than a half century ahead of his time, and we respect the magnitude of his pioneering work. Somehow we feel his presence, like in the rainbow that appeared for us topsiders shortly after Jim touched the silt Trieste that last stirred in 1960.

Kevin Hardy"

sdm

[Popeye]

For more details...http://deepseachallenge.com/

more below

http://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/jam ... cumentary/

[21]

[b]THE BACK STORY[/b]
The Trieste the "FRNS 111" was the third boat constructed.

The second model the "FRNS 11" was dove to 20,000 feet by two Frenchmen and published a book which I have in my library but can't seem to locate at this moment

The FRNS 111 was shipped to San Diego California where it under went numerous modifications and testing.

The first US deep dive was by Dr. Andy Rechnitzer- to 20,800 feet to "test" the integrity of the hull, the hull joints and the concept of the bathyscaphe. It was successful, so preparations were made for the record dive.

The record dive was to have been made by Andy & Lt. Don Walsh USN, but the designer's son Jacques Piccard, who was along as an advisor demanded that he dive with Lt Walsh--to avoid an international confrontation Andy Rechnitzer gave up his position.

It was not a good decision Walsh & Rechnitzer are-were small in stature...Piccard was about 6-5 or 6-6 so the tiny sphere was over crowed with Piccard's extremities.
The dive was a success and Rechnitzer, Walsh and Piccard were acknowledged as the pioneers this historical event and were presented with numerous national and international honors.

There is a post script aka "back side" to this story..

I met with Andy about a year later, he was the Chief of the Undersea Projects Office (UPO) of North American Ovation -later Rockwell International, now Boeing. I was hired as a CDO & DSO of UPO...It was the beginning of a life long association.

I recall when he said my resume was good but I needed back up sheets, so he gave me a copy of his. I followed his advise now my resume aka CV is over 20 pages of back up

We were accidently reunited about 15 years ago. By that time Martha Andy's first wife had passed on and he had accidently reunited with his high school girl friend Alice and they had hit it off and married. It was interesting reuniting -- I enjoyed Alice and my wife and Andy like old long lost friends.

At that time e mail was becoming popular so we began e mailing, often every day, about every thing under the sun. He would often correct my spelling or grammar...One day I became a little irritated and asked him why? He replied it was a habit. When he was in grad school at Scrips he had average skills in spelling and grammar but that would not be acceptable for his chairman the great Dr Carl Hubbs,he made Andy type and and re type his dissertation for not once but 16 times until it was absolutely perfect= no misspelled words, perfect grammar and no strike overs- he apologized to me for his habit, but keep on correcting my e mails to the very end.

Then the diving world learned that Andy was in the hospital- we all hoped for a speedy recovery but it was not to be..Andy left us..But with many memories of adventures past.

The Under Seas Project office was composed of some very interesting people with very interesting backgrounds. A few examples;

Second in command was Dr Richard Terry, who is the only American to have the sea mount "Mount Terry" named in his honor in the Challenger deep. Dick wrote his doctoral dissertation on the migration of California kelp beds -talk about interesting coffee break conversations! While employed he also wrote the book, "The case for the submersible" which some one walked off with my copy.

As a geologist he was interested in rocks, his home on Cave Avenue in Anaheim had the entrance wall covered with a variety of rocks from all over the world. I was actively diving and exploring the unexplored Jade Cove at that time. I pulled up so many rocks in those days I had them piled all over the yard and were gifting them to any one who would take them, so I piled a selection in my truck drove over to Dicks and gave him a his choice. He chose a huge wonderful green Jade Rock which he immediately attached to his wall of rocks. Dick has been gone some years now... I have often wondered about that wall of rocks and the new owners of the home

Jens Jensen the photographic officer on the Trieste gave me a pair of strobes that were used on the Trieste Challenger dive..I still have them, tried to donate them several times without success. Jens taught me a lot about UW photography and lighting during those pioneering underwater photographic days.

Ralph White was hired as a diver/sub operator. It was Ralph's first job after a stint in the USMC- any question was always answered with a Yes Sir! Took a long time to break Ralph of that habit and for him to use our first names. After the team disbanded Ralph became a free lance DDS driver... He dove on the Titanic so many times that he had more time on the deck of the Titanic than the paying passengers.

l recall our last conversation -we had a set down long chat at the LA Explorers club, a few months later he had a massive heart attack in the comfort of his home and was gone-better there than in a DDS on the deck of the Titanic

Ed Cargile became a writer and published a number of articles and one heck of a great historical CD book. Some reason I have totally lost track of Ed.

Then there was the "Summer Hire" who shared a space in my office, his name was Bobbie Ballard. He was one of the most intelligent inquisitive young men I have ever met and in the current vernacular a PIA. He was interested in spearfishing so I took him spear fishing with me on numerous occasions. that is a story for another time ...

The following summer I met and trained his girl friend and future wife to dive. A few months later they were off to grad school and disappeared for several decades. Bob emerged as a world famous underwater explorer and has authored numerous books..And I don't have one of them!


Now aren't you happy that you belong to this board?

SDM

[sitkadiver]

That is some great history Dr. Miller. Thanks for posting.

[JES]

All I can say is Wow! Thank you for sharing your personal history with us. As always, it is absolutely amazing.

[sitkadiver]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picture ... me=2177600

A good photo of Cameron and Capt. Walsh