Science: Into the Depths

While space is being charted by the hour, the ocean deeps that cover 70% of the earth are largely unexplored. Last week the Navy, speeding its researches below the sea (see NATIONAL AFFAIRS) brought to the U.S. the best tool for the purpose in the world. Into San Diego harbor aboard a freighter from Italy came the tubby, homely little bathyscaphe Trieste, launched by Auguste Piccard and his son Jacques in 1953. Last summer the Navy rented the craft for research dives off Capri, recently bought it from the Piccards for $200,000. A new one would have cost $1,500,000—and have been...