Retired Capt. Don Walsh, the first commander of the U.S. Navy bathyscaph Trieste.

Dr. Don Walsh is neither marine archaeologist nor treasure hunter. He has spent the past four decades involved with design, manufacture, and operation of submersible systems. A retired naval officer (submarines) he was designated U.S. Navy deep submersible pilot #1 in the early 1970s. During 2001, in addition to Atlantic Sands, he has participated in diving operations at the battleship Bismarck (16,000 feet) and RMS Titanic (12,500 feet). On 20 July 2001, he had lunch on board the Titanic, when the Mir 2 landed on the bridge so the sub crew could eat.

Articles by Don Walsh

oceans

The Black Sea: A Unique Place

By Captain Don Walsh, U.S. Navy (Retired)
November 2022
If there are war activities in the region, Turkey may prohibit passage of military vessels of any of the combatants.
Greenland

Greenland’s Vast Ice Sheet Is Melting

By Captain Don Walsh, U.S. Navy (Retired)
July 2022
Overall, the Arctic region is warming three to four times faster than the rest of the planet. By 2100, many populated coastal areas worldwide will be flooded and abandoned.
A scene from the 1980 movie Raise the Titanic, on which the author was a technical consultant.

A Navy Captain Behind the Camera

By Captain Don Walsh, U.S. Navy (Retired)
October 2020
The author recounts his experience living in Los Angeles and consulting on military themed movies in the 1970s and 1980s.