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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

Bathyscaphe Trieste (1958-1963)

Trieste, a deep-diving research bathyscaphe, was launched in 1953 near Naples, Italy, by the Swiss scientist Auguste Piccard. After several years of operations in the Mediterranean, she was purchased by the U.S. Navy. Transported to San Diego, California, in 1958, she conducted tests in the Pacific during the next several years, including a dive to the deepest part of the ocean in January 1960. In 1963, she went to the Atlantic to search for the lost submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593). Trieste was taken out of service soon after completing that mission and is now on exhibit at the Navy Museum, at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.

This page features views of Trieste in about 1958-59, when she was first obtained by the U.S. Navy, and provides links to other images of her.

For later views of Trieste, see:
Trieste in 1959-60 and
Trieste after 1960.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 96798

U.S. Navy Bathyscaphe Trieste (1958-1963)


Under tow, en route to a deep water dive in the Pacific, 15 September 1959.
She is flying both the United States and Swiss flags.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 96801

U.S. Navy Bathyscaphe Trieste (1958-1963)


Is hoisted out of the water in a tropical port, circa 1958-59, soon after her purchase by the Navy.
Photograph was released by the U.S. Navy Electronics Laboratory, San Diego, California.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 620 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 96805

U.S. Navy Bathyscaphe Trieste (1958-1963)


Close up view of the front of Trieste's pressure sphere, showing plexiglass window and instrument leads. The forward ballast silo, with metering valve on its bottom, is in the upper left.
Photo was taken circa 1958-59, shortly after Trieste was obtained by the Navy. It was released by the U.S. Navy Electronics Laboratory, San Diego, California.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 595 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 96806

U.S. Navy Bathyscaphe Trieste (1958-1963)


A late 1950s artwork, depicting Trieste operating on the deep ocean floor.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 535 pixels

 

For later views of Trieste, see:
Trieste in 1959-60 and
Trieste after 1960.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Text revised 23 March 2000