Relief Map of the Ocean Floor.

Cartographer(s): Caleb Stillson Hammond
Date: 1960
Place: Maplewood, NJ
Dimensions: 96.5 x 66 cm (38 x 26 in)
Condition Rating: VG

Out of stock

SKU: NL-01086 Categories: , Tags: , ,

Commemorating the Trieste’s historic dive into the deepest point of the Mariana Trench.

Details

This captivating ocean-floor map illustrates the seabed’s topography, tailored for the curious minds of “Young Explorers.” The verso features a chart of marine organisms and the varied depths they inhabit.

The exploration of the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench by the Trieste stands as a monumental achievement in deep-sea exploration. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, the Challenger Deep is the deepest known point in the Earth’s seabed, plunging to an astonishing depth of approximately 10,911 meters (about 35,797 feet). The Trieste, a bathyscaphe designed by Swiss scientist Auguste Piccard and built in Italy, was unique in its construction. Unlike typical submarines, it was specifically designed to withstand the immense pressures of the deep ocean, featuring a float chamber filled with gasoline for buoyancy and a crew cabin resilient against extreme external pressures.

By 1960, the U.S. Navy owned the Trieste and embarked on a bold mission to send it to the depths of the Challenger Deep. Piloted by Jacques Piccard (son of Auguste Piccard) and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh, the vessel began its descent on January 23, 1960. Facing challenges, including a cracked observation window due to the intense pressure, the Trieste made its way to the ocean floor. After nearly five hours, Piccard and Walsh reached the bottom, where they spent around 20 minutes making observations. Remarkably, they reported seeing life forms such as a flatfish and shrimp-like creatures, confirming life’s existence in such inhospitable environments.

This historic journey marked Piccard and Walsh as the first humans to visit the deepest part of the Earth’s seabed. For decades, their achievement remained unparalleled. Only recently have other explorers, like filmmaker James Cameron and entrepreneur Victor Vescovo, replicated this deep-sea journey. The Trieste’s groundbreaking voyage not only unveiled the mysteries of the deep ocean but also set the stage for all subsequent deep-sea explorations.

Cartographer(s):

Caleb Stillson Hammond

Caleb Stillson Hammond (1862-1929) was the founder of a map-making and printing firm in Brooklyn, New York, named C. S. Hammond & Company. Hammond came from a career position as a cartographer with Rand McNally but split with them in 1900 to create his own firm.

C. S. Hammond & Company had enormous success during the early 20th century and would take a back seat in America only to Rand McNally. The company was sold in 1999 and has since been subsumed under the Kappa Publishing Group.

Condition Description

Good to very good. Wear along centerfold.

References

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