Sep. 02, 1953 - French Bathyscaphe Descends To Record Depth.. Goes Down To 2,100 Metres......

Sep. 02, 1953 - French Bathyscaphe Descends To Record Depth.. Goes Down To 2,100 Metres... The French Ministry of Marine has announced that the naval bathyscaphe based on Toulon and manned by Lieut. Commander Houot and Engineer Officer Willm has reached a record depth of 2,100 meters (6,890 ft - more than11/4 miles).. The bathscaphe, which was submerged for four hours and a half, is not attached to its parent vessel, but sinks freely by the aid of weights which are released for return to the surface. The bathyscaphe was towed to the point for the descent by the survey Vessel Elie Monnier.. Frogmen accompanied the vessel down to the depth of 50 meters - where they left it to continue on its own.. Keystone Photo Shows: - The scene as a frogman leaves the vessel at the depth of 50 metres - and the bathyscaphe continues to the record depth of 2,100 metres.