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. Read More (DANFS)

This page features images 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 images of Trieste
Trieste in 1959-1960
Trieste after 1960

Click the small photograph for a larger 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. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 610
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. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 620
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. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 71KB; 595 x 765
Photo #: NH 96806 U.S. Navy Bathyscaphe Trieste (1958-1963) A late 1950s artwork, depicting Trieste operating on the deep ocean floor. U.S. NHHC Photograph. Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 535

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions