Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that the new class of T-AGOS ocean surveillance ships will be named the Explorer class—and that the first ship in the class will be named the USNS Don Walsh (T-AGOS-25), in honor of the Navy’s pioneering deep-sea explorer who passed away in November 2023 at the age of 92. (See “Captain Don Walsh: A Tribute,” February 2024, pp. 12–13.)
In 1960, Lieutenant (later Captain) Walsh made history with his pioneering dive to the deepest known part of the ocean, the Marianas Trench—a remarkable feat that would not be repeated until 2012.
Secretary Del Toro made the ship-naming announcement during a ceremony among members of Congress, local civic leaders, educators, scientists, and explorers at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on 10 January. He also unveiled the name for what will be the second ship in the Explorer class: the USNS Victor Vescovo (T-AGOS-26), honoring another celebrated and record-breaking Navy deep-sea diver and adventurer.
“I am proud to announce these vessels will be . . . named in honor of those who made discoveries under sea, on land, and in the skies above,” Del Toro said.
Operated by the Military Sealift Command, the Explorer class will play an integral role in Navy antisubmarine warfare operations. “These ships are essential to maintaining strategic deterrence and operational awareness in the world’s oceans,” said Del Toro. “There is no one better to name for the first ship than Captain Don Walsh, a man whose life and career embody the very essence of exploration, innovation, and dedication to our Navy and our nation.”
Joining the Secretary at the ship-naming ceremony was Jean Case, chairman of the National Geographic Society. “We could not be more proud that the inaugural vessel in this class honors our beloved National Geographic Explorer, retired U.S. Navy Captain Don Walsh.”
Case also expressed gratitude for “the long-standing partnership the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Navy have shared, embracing the spirit of exploration and commitment to go to the front lines of the unknown. Together, we champion courage and curiosity that drive humanity to discover, protect, and build a better understanding of our world.”
On 23 January 1960, Walsh, accompanied by scientist Jacques Piccard, successfully piloted the bathyscaphe Trieste 35,797 feet down to Challenger Deep, the deepest known point of the ocean, located southwest of Guam in the Marianas Trench. President Dwight D. Eisenhower subsequently presented Walsh with a Legion of Merit for his pioneering work in “innerspace.”
Walsh went on to earn a doctorate in physical oceanography while in the service and ultimately would command the USS Bashaw (AGSS-241) before retiring as a captain and going on to a career as a world-renowned ocean scientist and explorer, with countless awards and accolades. For many years, he contributed the popular “Oceans” column to the pages of the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings.
“My father was many things to many people: explorer, educator, colleague, and mentor. But if you asked him what most defined his character, ‘Navy man’ would be top of the list,” remarked Walsh’s son, Kelly, at the ceremony. “To me he was Dad: a brilliant example of living a life full of adventure and curiosity. He shared the world with his family over the years, and in turn, we got to share him with the world. His legacy will remain—on the waves, over the horizon, and just beyond the next great discovery. He will be there in practice and spirit.”
Walsh’s pioneering legacy has been carried forth by others—including the namesake of the second Explorer-class USNS Victor Vescovo. Retired Navy Reserve Commander Vescovo, a former naval intelligence officer, currently holds the world record for the deepest dive of a crewed vessel to Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench, was the first person to reach Earth’s highest and lowest points.
Vescovo also has completed what is known as the Explorers’ Grand Slam (Last Degree): He climbed the highest mountain on each continent and reached both the North and South Poles. Following his dive to Challenger Deep in his custom-built submersible Limiting Factor, Vescovo completed his own Five Deeps challenge, descending to the lowest points in the Earth’s oceans.
