Branson and the Mariana Trench

Descents

The Swiss-designed, Italian-built, United States Navy bathyscaphe Trieste reached the bottom at 1:06 p.m. on January 23, 1960, with U.S. Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard on board.[3] Iron shot was used for ballast, with gasoline for buoyancy. The onboard systems indicated a depth of 11,521 m (37,799 ft), but this was later revised to 10,916 m (35,814 ft).At the bottom, Walsh and Piccard were surprised to discover sole or flounder about 30 cm (1 ft) long,[9] as well as a shrimp.[1] According to Piccard, "The bottom appeared light and clear, a waste of firm diatomaceous ooze".

Best part:

"After passing 9,000 metres one of the outer Plexiglas window panes cracked, shaking the entire vessel"
 
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