Oct. 10, 1953 - Professor Piccard makes record depth descent in Bathyscaph off coast of...

Oct. 10, 1953 - Professor Piccard makes record depth descent in Bathyscaph off coast of Italy.: Professor Auguste Piccard the 69 year old Swiss Born scientist dived to a world record depth of 10,335 feet (nearly two miles) in his Bathyscaph, the” Trieste”, at a point fifty miles from the Island of Ponza off the West Coast of Italy. The previous record depth was 6,889 feet set up by Commander Houot of the French Navy in the Bay of Toulon, Professor Piccard's dive was made in the” Tyrrrhenian Pit” the deepest point of the Mediterranean Basin. Photo shows Professor Piccard seen aboard a tug after his great descent.