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Bathysphaera

Bathysphaera is a genus of deep-sea fish proposed by American naturalist and explorer William Beebe in 1932, based on a single visual observation made during an early manned submersible dive using the bathysphere off the coast of Bermuda. The type and only species, Bathysphaera intacta, commonly known as the giant dragonfish or untouchable bathysphere fish, was described as a large predatory creature approximately 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length, with a slender, silvery body resembling a barracuda and paired rows of vivid blue bioluminescent photophores aligned along its ventral and dorsal surfaces.^[1]^[2] The observation occurred on September 22, 1932, at a depth of about 640 meters (2,100 feet) near Nonsuch Island in the Bermuda archipelago, during one of Beebe's groundbreaking expeditions with the New York Zoological Society's Department of Tropical Research. Beebe and engineer Otis Barton, descending in the steel bathysphere tethered to a surface support vessel, reported two such fish circling the porthole, their gleaming eyes and toothy jaws visible under the dim external light, but they evaded capture and quickly vanished into the abyssal darkness. The name intacta reflects their "untouchable" nature, as no net or trap could reach them through the confined viewing port. Beebe formally named the genus and species in a brief publication, acknowledging the description's provisional status due to the lack of a physical specimen.^[2] Although Bathysphaera intacta has appeared in some biodiversity databases and inspired artistic reconstructions, such as Else Bostelmann's 1934 watercolor depicting the fish encircling the bathysphere, its validity remains unconfirmed in contemporary ichthyology. Without a holotype or subsequent sightings amid extensive deep-sea explorations, it is widely regarded as a hypothetical or cryptid species, possibly a misidentification of a known dragonfish (Stomiidae) enlarged by observation conditions or an undiscovered member of the deep-sea fauna. Beebe's account nonetheless highlights the challenges and wonders of early oceanographic research, contributing to the allure of the unexplored ocean depths.^[1]^[2]

Historical Context

Bathysphere Development

The bathysphere was invented and designed by American engineer Otis Barton between 1928 and 1929, in collaboration with naturalist William Beebe, who provided funding and led the subsequent expeditions.^[3]^[4] The design addressed the challenges of deep-sea pressure by creating a spherical pressure vessel, which evenly distributes forces across its surface to prevent structural failure.^[5] Constructed from thick-walled steel, the bathysphere formed a hollow sphere approximately 4.5 feet in diameter, weighing around 5,000 pounds, with a small 14-inch entry hatch sealed by a bolted door.^[3]^[6] It incorporated three forward-facing portholes fitted with fused quartz windows, each about 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter and 3 inches (7.6 cm) thick, to allow direct observation while resisting implosion under extreme pressure.^[3]^[5]^[6] The vessel was tethered to a surface support ship by a single 7/8-inch-thick steel cable, up to 3,500 feet long, which also conveyed electrical power, a telephone line for communication, and an external floodlight for illumination.^[6]^[7] Key specifications included a capacity to endure hydrostatic pressures equivalent to depths of 3,000 feet, or over 1,300 pounds per square inch, making it the first manned submersible rated for such extremes.^[3]^[4] Inside, it accommodated two occupants in a cramped space, with oxygen tanks, CO2 absorbers using soda lime, and moisture control via calcium chloride trays to maintain breathable air during descents.^[7]^[6] Historical milestones began with an initial unmanned test in 1930 to validate the design under pressure.^[3] This was followed by the first manned dive on June 11, 1930, when Barton and Beebe descended to approximately 900 feet (270 m) off Nonsuch Island, Bermuda, surpassing prior diving records and confirming the sphere's viability.^[3]^[4] Despite its innovations, the bathysphere had significant limitations, including no onboard propulsion, requiring complete dependence on the surface ship's winch for all vertical movement via the tether.^[6]^[7] Visibility was constrained to the single external floodlight, which provided limited illumination of the surrounding darkness, and the design offered no maneuverability, restricting observations to a fixed descent path.^[6]^[3]

William Beebe's Expeditions

William Beebe (1877–1962) was a pioneering naturalist and ornithologist who began his professional career at the New York Zoological Society (NYZS) in 1899 as curator of birds at the Bronx Zoo, where he designed innovative habitats for avian species.^[8] By 1919, he had risen to director of tropical research for the NYZS, leading extensive expeditions across Asia, South America, and other regions to study and collect tropical birds, including pheasants.^[9] His fieldwork culminated in the seminal four-volume A Monograph of the Pheasants (1918–1922), a comprehensive study based on observations from over 7,000 miles of travel in Asia during 1910–1911, which documented the behavior, plumage, and habitats of these birds in their natural environments.^[10] Beebe's fascination with natural history extended beyond birds, gradually shifting toward marine biology as he sought to explore underwater ecosystems akin to his terrestrial studies. Motivated by the limitations of shallow helmet dives—reaching only about 60 feet—and a passion for observing organisms in situ, he began experimenting with deeper submersion techniques in 1925.^[11] In 1928, Beebe collaborated with engineer Otis Barton, who proposed a spherical diving vessel to withstand extreme pressures, marking the start of their joint efforts to pioneer deep-sea observation.^[8] To facilitate these endeavors, Beebe established a NYZS research station on Nonsuch Island, Bermuda, in 1928, repurposing former quarantine buildings into a base for studying local marine and terrestrial life.^[12] From this outpost, he and Barton launched the Bermuda deep-sea program in 1930, conducting a series of dives over the next four years that pushed the boundaries of human exploration, with the bathysphere enabling unprecedented access to depths up to 3,028 feet on August 15, 1934.^[11] These expeditions yielded profound insights into the deep ocean, including the first in-situ observations of bioluminescent behaviors and ecological interactions among abyssal creatures. Beebe's team collected specimens via accompanying trawls and nets, leading to the description of numerous new species of deep-sea invertebrates and fish, which enriched understanding of biodiversity in the twilight and midnight zones.^[6]

The Observation

Dive Conditions

The September 22, 1932, bathysphere dive occurred off Nonsuch Island, Bermuda, in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 5 miles southeast at 32°12' N, 64°36' W, with the vessel lowered from the tug Freedom.^[13]^[14] The descent progressed steadily to a maximum depth of 2,200 feet (670 m), where total darkness prevailed below 1,700 feet (520 m), and the observation of Bathysphaera took place between 2,000 and 2,200 feet (610–670 m).^[14]^[13] A 1,000-watt electric lamp mounted on the bathysphere cast a beam that illuminated a radius of about 30 feet, offering the only artificial light in the abyssal void and enabling brief glimpses of passing organisms.^[14] At these depths, the surrounding water measured approximately 53°F (12°C), contributing to the cold, clammy conditions inside the sphere despite internal heating from equipment.^[14] Bioluminescent flashes from fish, squids, and other creatures—ranging from pale greenish to bluish glows—provided intermittent natural illumination throughout the dive.^[14]^[15] William Beebe and Otis Barton occupied the bathysphere, communicating via telephone wire with surface support from the crew, including assistant Gloria Hollister who transcribed notes, who managed the winch and monitored vital systems amid occasional rough seas.^[13]^[4] The total dive duration was roughly 2 hours, including about 30 minutes at the target depth for observations and photography attempts.^[13]^[16]

Encounter Description

During a bathysphere dive on September 22, 1932, off Nonsuch Island, Bermuda, William Beebe experienced a notable observation at a depth of 2,100 feet, where the vessel's electric floodlight illuminated the surrounding waters. Several minutes after reaching this depth, two large fish entered the beam of light and swam slowly and horizontally past one of the portholes, passing within six to eight feet of the window.^[17] The creatures moved at a leisurely pace, their jaws agape, and appeared to gaze toward the bathysphere with large eyes, exhibiting curiosity or indifference rather than any sign of aggression or alarm. The encounter lasted approximately two minutes, during which the fish traversed the illuminated area before vanishing into the surrounding blackness. No sounds accompanied the sighting, as the sealed steel sphere isolated Beebe and his companion Otis Barton from external acoustics.^[17] Beebe documented the event in real time by dictating detailed verbal descriptions over the telephone wire connected to the surface vessel Freedom, where assistant Gloria Hollister transcribed his notes. Following the dive, Beebe relied on these immediate recollections to produce sketches, preserving the sequence and dynamics of the observation for later scientific analysis. He later recounted the moment in his 1934 book Half Mile Down as the most thrilling of the expedition, highlighting the rarity of such close-range views in the deep sea.^[17]

Physical Characteristics

Observed Morphology

Bathysphaera, as observed by William Beebe during a bathysphere dive at approximately 2100 feet on September 22, 1932, displayed an elongated, barracuda-like body form that evoked a serpent-like silhouette in the faint light. The overall structure lacked the pronounced lateral compression seen in many shallow-water piscivores, instead presenting a streamlined, undulating profile adapted for efficient movement in the deep-sea environment.^[17]^[18] The head was characterized by short, undershot jaws maintained in a wide-open position, forming a large terminal mouth equipped with numerous prominent fangs that appeared illuminated, possibly due to mucus or internal branchiostegal lights. Eyes were exceptionally large relative to the body's proportions and positioned anteriorly to afford a broad field of vision, enabling acute detection in the abyssal gloom. The mouth's gape suggested a predatory orientation toward engulfing prey.^[17]^[18] In terms of coloration and texture, the creature exhibited dark sides, providing effective camouflage against the perpetual night of its habitat. The skin appeared smooth and scaleless, consistent with the morphology of related stomiid fishes, which lack dermal scales to reduce drag and enhance sensory perception through direct environmental contact. No overt photophores were visible beyond the structured lighting along the body.^[17]^[19] Distinctive traits included a single row of strong, pale bluish luminous organs along the ventral midline extending from head to tail, distinguishing it from congeners that typically bear dual rows; this single line likely served for counter-illumination or species recognition. Two elongated barbels projected ventrally—one from the chin region and another positioned posteriorly—each terminating in vivid luminous tips, with the anterior barbel glowing reddish and the posterior a deeper blue, twitching intermittently as the creature approached the bathysphere. Vertical fins were situated well aft, supporting the powerful, broad tail that facilitated deliberate, sinuous propulsion without rapid bursts. These features underscored a primitive yet specialized deep-sea adaptation, diverging from more ornate bioluminescent displays in allied taxa.^[17]^[18]

Size and Proportions

Bathysphaera was estimated to measure approximately 6 feet (1.8 meters) in total length, based on William Beebe's direct visual observation as the specimens passed within 6 to 8 feet of the bathysphere during a dive to 2,100 feet off Bermuda in 1932.^[20] The overall build was slender, emphasizing a streamlined form adapted to deep-sea conditions. The tail was broad and powerful, supported by vertical fins situated well aft.^[20] These dimensions were gauged relative to the bathysphere's 8-inch-diameter quartz porthole and transient references like nearby shrimp, which provided scale during the brief encounter.^[6]^[20] However, the estimates are approximate due to the restricted viewing angle through the small porthole, the fish's slow but continuous motion, and the absence of a physical specimen for precise measurement.^[20]

Taxonomy and Classification

Initial Scientific Description

William Beebe provided the initial scientific description of the observed deep-sea fish in his article "A New Deep-Sea Fish," published in the Bulletin of the New York Zoological Society (volume 35, number 5, pages 175–177).^[9] This formal account followed shortly after the 1932 observation during a bathysphere dive off Bermuda and established the creature as a novel taxon based exclusively on in situ visual records. Beebe assigned the binomial nomenclature Bathysphaera intacta, designating it the type species of a new monotypic genus within the family Stomiidae, known as the dragonfishes.^[9] The genus name Bathysphaera combines Greek roots "bathy-" (deep) and "sphaera" (sphere), alluding to the bathysphere submersible used in the expedition, while the specific epithet intacta (Latin for "untouched" or "intact") highlights the fish's "untouchable" status, as no physical specimen could be collected for examination. The diagnostic features outlined in the description relied entirely on Beebe's detailed notes from the observation, including a large body size and proportions suggestive of stomiid affinities, such as elongated form and bioluminescent elements, though adapted to an unprecedented scale for the family. This visual-based diagnosis justified the erection of the new genus, distinguishing it from known stomiid species primarily through its reported dimensions and configuration. The publication notably lacked illustrations, a direct consequence of the absence of a preserved specimen, limiting verification to textual depiction alone.^[9] However, the description faced early skepticism from ichthyologists; for instance, Carl Hubbs in a 1935 review argued that the observed "giant" fish were likely two smaller dragonfish swimming in tandem.^[21] Due to the lack of a specimen, Bathysphaera intacta has not been incorporated into modern taxonomic frameworks.

Relation to Known Species

Bathysphaera intacta was tentatively classified by William Beebe within the family Stomiidae (scaleless black dragonfishes), based on the observed morphology including a massive head with wide-open jaws armed with prominent teeth, a long chin barbel tipped with a luminous organ, and adaptation to the deep-sea habitat.^[20] This placement drew from similarities to known stomiid genera, such as the enlarged proportions evoking an oversized Aristostomias (loosejaws) or Bathophilus (highfin dragonfishes), though the observed specimen lacked the typical dense photophore arrays along the body and ventral surface seen in those taxa. The estimated size of approximately 1.8 meters (6 feet) far exceeded that of documented Stomiidae species, which rarely surpass 30 cm, while the encounter depth of over 640 meters (2,100 feet) aligned with the mesopelagic zone frequented by the family.^[20] Since Beebe's 1932 observation, no matching individuals have been captured in trawl nets or other sampling methods, leading to its exclusion from most taxonomic keys and lists of confirmed Stomiidae diversity. Without physical specimens, its exact affinities within Stomiidae remain unresolved. However, mid-20th-century deep-sea expeditions, including the Danish Galathea expedition (1950–1952), yielded numerous new Stomiidae species and specimens from similar depths via improved net sampling, highlighting ongoing discoveries in the family's morphological and ecological range.^[22]

Status and Interpretations

Evidence Assessment

The primary evidence supporting the existence of Bathysphaera intacta consists solely of William Beebe's detailed eyewitness description from a single Bathysphere dive on September 22, 1932, at a depth of about 2,100 feet off Nonsuch Island, Bermuda, where he observed two large fish circling the submersible for a brief period.^[20] Beebe's account, recorded in real-time via telephone to surface assistant Gloria Hollister and later elaborated in his notes, described the creatures as approximately 6 feet long with barracuda-like bodies, rows of blue photophores along their sides, large eyes, numerous teeth, and luminous barbels, but no physical samples, photographs, or other corroborative data were obtained due to the dive's constraints.^[20] Surface logs maintained by Hollister during the dive provided contemporaneous transcription of Beebe's verbal reports, offering indirect support for the observation's authenticity, though these remain qualitative and unverified by independent witnesses.^[20] Subsequent search efforts immediately following the 1932 sighting included deploying nets from the support vessel Ready to capture deep-sea organisms at similar depths, which yielded some bioluminescent species Beebe had noted but failed to recover any matching Bathysphaera-like specimens.^[20] Beebe and Otis Barton conducted additional Bathysphere dives in 1933 and 1934 off Bermuda, reaching depths up to 3,028 feet, yet none repeated the encounter despite targeted observations for unusual stomiiform fishes.^[6] Modern submersible expeditions, such as those using the DSV Alvin in the 1970s around Bermuda's abyssal zones, have extensively surveyed comparable habitats but reported no sightings of Bathysphaera-like organisms, contributing to the absence of empirical corroboration over decades of deep-sea exploration.^[23] The reliability of the single sighting is limited by the Bathysphere's design, which featured three quartz portholes, each about 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter with 3-inch-thick fused quartz windows, providing a narrow field of view that restricted observations to a small fraction of the surrounding environment during descent.^[6] Furthermore, the brief exposure time—estimated at mere seconds as the fish passed the porthole—combined with the extreme pressure and darkness at depth, introduced potential for perceptual error in identifying fine morphological details without prolonged or multi-angle scrutiny.^[20] In contemporary ichthyological records, Bathysphaera intacta is classified as a hypothetical species tentatively placed within the family Stomiidae, lacking a holotype specimen or verifiable type material to substantiate its taxonomic validity.^[1] As of 2025, it remains absent from major databases such as FishBase and the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), reflecting its unverified status amid ongoing deep-sea biodiversity surveys that have documented thousands of stomiids without equivalents.

Hypotheses and Debates

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the Bathysphaera sighting, primarily centering on misidentification of known deep-sea organisms observed under challenging conditions. One theory suggests that the observed creature was a known stomiiform fish, such as a dragonfish, whose size and features could appear distorted at distance through the bathysphere's porthole. Alternatively, the sighting may have resulted from an optical illusion caused by bioluminescent squid or floating debris illuminated by the bathysphere's external light in the low-visibility abyss, where the limited field of view and pressure-induced distortions could exaggerate shapes and sizes.^[9] These ideas gained traction following ichthyologist Carl Hubbs's 1935 critique, which argued that Beebe's visual descriptions lacked physical specimens and were prone to error due to the observational constraints of the era.^[24] In cryptozoological circles, Bathysphaera intacta is regarded as a "lost species," a hypothetical creature evading scientific confirmation and emblematic of undiscovered deep-sea biodiversity. This status stems directly from Beebe's vivid account in his 1934 book Half Mile Down, where he named and illustrated the fish based on the single observation, inspiring subsequent discussions of elusive abyssal life forms in popular natural history literature.^[18] Scientific debates surrounding Bathysphaera reflect a shift from early 20th-century optimism to modern skepticism. In the 1930s, Beebe's dives fueled enthusiasm for discovering "deep-sea giants," with contemporary reports in journals like Nature and Science hailing the potential for revolutionary insights into uncharted marine realms, amplified by live radio broadcasts of the expeditions that captivated global audiences.^[15] However, post-1930s analyses, including Hubbs's review, questioned the reliability of unaided visual identifications, and today, the species remains unverified in authoritative databases like the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).^[25] Extensive remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveys since the 1980s, such as those by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, have mapped vast abyssal habitats without encountering matching morphologies, reinforcing doubts about its existence as a distinct taxon.^[9] The cultural legacy of Bathysphaera endures as an "untouchable" mystery in deep-sea exploration narratives, symbolizing the ocean's enduring enigmas since its 1932 documentation. Beebe's book and the associated NBC radio broadcasts popularized the allure of the abyss, influencing subsequent media depictions—from documentary films to literature—that portray the deep as a realm of hidden wonders, while underscoring the limitations of early technology.^[26] No repeat evidence has emerged despite decades of advanced submersible operations.^[27]

References

[1]
The Bathysphere Book by Brad Fox review – mysteries of the deep
Jun 23, 2023 · The new species was supposedly spotted by the explorer and naturalist William Beebe in 1932 at a depth of 640 metres (2100 ft) off the coast of ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[2]
In the Early 20th Century, the Department of Tropical Research Was ...
Apr 25, 2017 · Get our newsletter! Bathysphaera intacta Circling the Bathysphere, Else Bostelmann, Bermuda 1934. ... taxonomy to trying to figure out how ...
[3]
Inside the First Deep-Sea Dive in History - Smithsonian Magazine
May 16, 2023 · The bathysphere would be the first submersible to bring humans down into the deep ocean. The plan was to drop it repeatedly in the same place, going lower and ...Missing: unmanned 1929 manned 803 porthole tether
[4]
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Aug 15, 2018 · Its design was based on pioneering deep-sea dives in the 1930s ... Otis Barton in a spherical vessel known as the “bathysphere.” Born ...Missing: invention porthole tether specifications diameter weight 1929 Nonsuch limitations
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Full ocean depth - from bathysphere to DEEPSEA CHALLENGER
Sep 27, 2018 · Together, they championed and built a spherical diving submersible which Beebe described as a 'bathysphere', from the Greek bathus meaning “deep ...Missing: specifications milestones 1929 propulsion
[6]
Bathysphere - History Of Diving Museum
The 5,000-pound cast iron Bathysphere had a diameter of less than five feet but would carry two explorers–engineer Otis Barton plus naturalist and biologist ...
[7]
The Hollow Steel Ball That Changed Ocean Exploration Forever
Aug 16, 2017 · The bathysphere—“bathy” meaning “deep” in Greek—was a hollow, steel ball less than five feet in diameter with three small windows and a steel ...
[8]
William Beebe | American Experience - PBS
In 1919 he was named director of tropical research for the New York Zoological Society. His many exotic expeditions yielded an impressive collection of rare ...
[9]
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Jun 4, 2020 · Beebe. W. 1932. b. A new deep-sea fish . Bulletin New York Zoological Society. ,. 35. : 175. –. 177 . Google Scholar · Find in my library.
[10]
William Beebe collection of memorabilia
This collection consists of illustrations, photographs, artifacts, and other visual materials collected by New York Zoological Society Curator of OrnithologyMissing: background | Show results with:background
[11]
Oceans: The First Hydronauts - William Beebe and Otis Barton
His lifelong love for natural history began as a child. At Columbia University he worked part-time at the New York Zoological Society's park (the future Bronx ...<|separator|>
[12]
[PDF] Gloria Hollister Anable Papers [finding aid]. Manuscript Division ...
Joining Beebe's team in 1928, she helped establish his research station on Nonsuch Island, Bermuda, and participated in inaugural deep sea explorations in ...<|separator|>
[13]
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Beebe Descends Nearly Half-Mile in Ocean; Broadcasts on Weird Ride in Bathysphere; DR. BEEBE DESCENDS 2,200 FEET INTO SEA. Share ...
[14]
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Our 1000-watt electric light made a bright swathe through the black- ness, conservatively estimated at 30 feet. The upper 200 to 300 feet were the most ...
[15]
The Waters Were “Boiling with Light” | Now See Hear!
Jan 22, 2015 · Otis Barton's ... Beebe attempts to loosen the huge wing nut that sealed the bathysphere after the empty vehicle was sent to a depth of 3,000 feet ...Missing: pressure | Show results with:pressure
[16]
Full text of "Half mile down"
Below is a merged summary of the September 22, 1932 dive descriptions from "Half Mile Down" by William Beebe, consolidating all available information from the provided segments. Since the text does not explicitly confirm a dive on September 22, 1932, and some details appear to reference other dates (e.g., June 11, 1930, or August 27, 1934), I will include all relevant data and note discrepancies or uncertainties. To maximize detail and clarity, I’ll present the information in a structured table format, followed by a narrative summary and notes.
[17]
[PDF] Half mile down - william beebe
(upper) Beebe and Barton in the bathysphere for the deep 1932 dive. Ear phones are on but connection is not yet made. Final examination of the windows. Fic ...
[18]
[PDF] Half mile down
... Beebe andMr. Barton in the steel ball known as the. Bathysphere, to an extreme depth In the ocean of over half a mile. W. REDMOND CROSS. First Vice-President.
[19]
Stomiidae: Melanostomiinae) | Zootaxa - Biotaxa
Jan 16, 2023 · Keywords: Pisces, Scaleless black dragonfishes, taxonomy, morphological variation, mesopelagic, Indo-Pacific. Abstract. Supplementary ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[20]
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Dec 17, 2008 · This is the third volume to be published dealing with oceanographic researches on the life of the waters about Nonsuch, Bermuda.<|control11|><|separator|>
[21]
[PDF] BIOGEOGRAPHY AND BIODIVERSITY OF STOMIID FISHES IN THE ...
... Stomiidae database ... net ... Thus the terms benthic, benthopelagic and pelagic have arisen and are often recognised (in large-scale studies) as large biotopes.
[22]
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The dream of building a manned deep ocean research submersible first started to move toward reality on February 29, 1956.Missing: Beebe Bathysphere
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https://www.whoi.edu/what-we-do/explore/underwater-vehicles/hov-alvin/history-of-alvin/
[24]
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Jan 19, 2014 · It was on September 22, 1932, that one of the explorers' historic bathysphere dives off Nonsuch Island was broadcast by NBC across the United ...Missing: Grampus | Show results with:Grampus
[25]
Bolted inside a steel sphere deep underwater, these explorers made ...
Barton brought with him the great sphere weighing two tons, thirty-five hundred feet of seven-eighths-inch, non-twisting, steel cable, and a half mile of solid ...