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Coney Island in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

The First Dives

June 1930

— Bermuda —

 
 
The First Dives Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 13, 2022
1. The First Dives Marker
Inscription.
During the early dives, a fearful Beebe and Barton tested whether the bathysphere would hold up to the pressure of deep water. The fused quartz windows provided a clear view of life at depth for the first time.

"As I looked out I never thought of feet or yards of visibility, but of the hundreds of miles of this color stretching over so much of the world."
—William Beebe

[Sidebar:]
On deck, Gloria Hollister communicated with Beebe and Barton via the telephone line.

She took notes of the observations they relayed to her.
803 ft
The depth of their very first dive

The 1930 Bathysphere was painted white, but it was later decided a dark blue color would be less conspicuous to deep-sea fish.

 
Erected by New York Aquarium, Wildlife Conservation Society.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: AnimalsCommunicationsExplorationWaterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1930.
 
Location. 40° 34.446′ N, 73° 58.564′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is on Coney Island. It can be reached from West 10th Street just north of
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Riegelmann Boardwalk, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn NY 11224, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Highlights and Mishaps (here, next to this marker); The Record-Breaking Dive (here, next to this marker); Pioneers of the Deep (here, next to this marker); The History of the New York Aquarium (here, next to this marker); The Cyclone (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Cyclone (about 600 feet away); Wonder Wheel (about 800 feet away); Carousel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.
 
Other markers no longer nearby. New York Aquarium 2017 Mural Competition / Thomas Manco (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but
The First Dives Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 13, 2022
2. The First Dives Marker
has been permanently removed); New York Aquarium 2017 Mural Competition / Artist: Sheena Wong Shue (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); New York Aquarium 2017 Mural Competition / Danielle Mastrion (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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Jul. 16, 2026