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Class Date: May 20th
Location: Your couch! See your weekly e-mail for Zoom link!
Diving In
Diving In
This week we are looking at the life of Dr. Eugenie Clark, a pioneering ichthyologist. Before we get there, let’s take a look at some of the events that lead up to our subject for the week:
1807 - United States Coast Survey founded
President Thomas Jefferson signed an Act to survey the coasts of the United States (though remember, at this point, the United States did not extend to our California coast yet). Ferdinand Hassler, the agency’s first superintendent, wasn’t even able to begin surveying until 1817, after being delayed by the War of 1812 and having to work out tensions between civilian and military control.
1831- Darwin sails from England
In December of 1831, Charles Darwin sailed from England aboard the HMS Beagle. He would ultimately spend five years at sea, making observations of wildlife, collecting samples of plants and animals, and formulating his theories on the evolution of species. His work would profoundly shift the way people saw themselves relative to the world and to others around them.
1832 - U.S. Coast Survey established
After several years under the Department of the Navy, the civilian U.S. Coast Survey was founded with Ferdinand Hassler as its leader (pictured).
The Survey has served as the nation's chartmaker ever since. It also conducted the first study of the Gulf Stream, conducted hydrographic surveys, and established the geodetic connection between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
1835 - Scientist Charles Darwin visits the Galapagos Islands
Darwin’s research in the islands would lead him to conclude that species adapt and evolve to their environments and he later publishes On the Origin of the Species.
1843 - Edward Forbes declares that life doesn’t exist below a certain depth
A British naturalist, Forbes studied plant and animal life. He divided the Aegean region into 8 biological zones - and hypothesized that anything below 300 fathoms (1 fathom = 6 feet) was completely devoid of life. His paper touched off a more than 20 year debate about life in the ocean (he was disproven 25 years later).
1858 - Transatlantic Cable is completed
The completion of the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1858 was a cause for much celebration on both sides of the Atlantic. Tiffany & Company of New York purchased the cable remaining on board the USS Niagara after the successful completion of the cable and sold 4-inch sections as souvenirs.
1872 -1876 - The Challenger Expedition
The first expedition specifically organized to gather data on ocean features, it is named after the British ship that conducted the research, the HMS Challenger. This expedition discovered one of the deepest parts of the ocean, the Marianas Trench, in the western Pacific. It also complied the first plots of currents and temperatures in the oceans. To read a little bit more, and see pictures, click here:
1882 - The Albatross began operating
The Albatross was the first vessel built specifically for marine research by any government. The US Fish Commission built the steamer after Congress appropriated $148,000 (about $4.4 million today). It was also possibly the first government vessel to be equipped with electric lights, and Thomas Edison designed the dynamo that operated them. The deep sea cable that operated underwater electric lamps was 940 feet long! To read more about the vessel and its capabilities, click here:
1912 - The Titanic sinks
On April 15th, the White Star Liner Titanic sank after striking an iceberg in the Northern Atlantic. The tragedy encouraged efforts to devise an acoustic means of locating objects in the water in front of a moving vessel. The wreckage was not found until 1985, and even then, it was actually almost an accident. To read about the top secret mission sent to search the ocean floor under the leadership of Dr. Robert Ballard, check out this article here:
1934 - William Beebe and Otis Braton are lowered by tether to maker the advent of manned exploration of the ocean
Otis Barton’s mechanical mind and William Beebe’s fascination with deep sea diving and study combined to create the “bathysphere”, a vessel designed for deep water exploration. After a series of dives to test the vessel (essentially a rough sphere attached to a steel cable), they set the record for a manned dive at 3,028 feet. They were the first people to observe ocean life at that depth and fueled the quest for further discovery.
1964 - The Alvin is launched
Now famous, this human occupied vehicle was first launched in 1964 to begin decades of oceanic research and exploration. To read about the history of the Alvin and its exploration, click here:
Before we go - How deep does it go?
For a really fun way to help visualize how deep the ocean is (and what creatures can be found where, check out this website called “The Deep Sea”. Keep scrolling… and scrolling… and scrolling. My personal favorite was coming across the elephant seal!
That is where our timeline leaves us for this week! Tune in this week to learn more!
Recommended Reading
Recommended Reading
To read more about this topic, here are some great books to get you started:
For kids:
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating
This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady. One of the best science picture books for children, Shark Lady is a must for both teachers and parents alike!
Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn't imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary―and they didn't think women should be scientists.
Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname "Shark Lady." Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to.
An inspiring story by critically acclaimed zoologist Jess Keating about finding the strength to discover truths that others aren't daring enough to see. Includes a timeline of Eugenie's life and many fin-tastic shark facts!
Eugenie Clark Book for Curious Kids: Diving into the Fascinating Life of the Shark Lady by Eric Lylani
Embark on an extraordinary underwater expedition with the Shark Lady, Eugenie Clark, and discover the secrets of the deep sea! Are you ready to dive into the thrilling world of marine biology, sharks, and ocean conservation?
Fascinating Storytelling: Explore the captivating life of Eugenie Clark, from her childhood fascination with marine life to her groundbreaking research on sharks.
Inspiring Adventures: Join Eugenie on daring expeditions as she studies sharks in their natural habitats and uncovers remarkable discoveries.
Educational Insights: Learn about shark behavior, reproduction, and the importance of marine conservation through Eugenie's pioneering work.
Legacy of Conservation: Discover how Eugenie's legacy continues to inspire young scientists to protect our oceans and marine biodiversity.
Educational and Inspiring: Perfect for young readers interested in marine biology and conservation.
Encourages Curiosity: Sparks curiosity about sharks and the mysteries of the ocean.
Promotes Environmental Awareness: Inspires a love for nature and encourages stewardship of our marine ecosystems.
Don't miss out on this thrilling journey! Grab your copy today and explore the amazing world of the Shark Lady with Eugenie Clark.
For adults:
A Lady With a Spear by Eugenie Clark
“A personal memoir by a young scientist who has found delight and adventure exploring the tropical waters of three oceans in search of rare and bizarre fish”, per the author herself! You can also check it out online here: https://archive.org/details/ladywithspear00clarrich/mode/2up
Genie: The Life of Eugenie Clark by Jose I. Castro
Genie: The Life of Eugenie Clark by Jose I. Castro
Eugenie Clark was born in New York in 1922,. She was a woman of humble origins who became one of the most successful American scientists of her time and a legendary professor at the University of Maryland. She was the most famous woman diver, whose diving adventures are the stuff of legends. Her curiosity led her to study fishes in their environment in ways that no one had attempted. She was a pioneer in keeping sharks in captivity and launching some of the first behavioral studies on sharks. She had five husbands, four quite interesting, and wanted to marry again at age 88. She interacted with a galaxy of the more interesting people of her era. Eugenie was a close friend of Nobel laureates, princes, and emperors. She was a woman liked or admired by most who knew her. She continued to dive and write scientific papers until her final days. Her last publication appeared a year after her death at the age of 92, in February 2015. She received honors for her works in the early 1950s and continues collecting honors long after her death. José Castro’s full account is based on his unique access as a long-time friend and fellow scientist. This book is based on Eugenie Clark’s recollections, her friends’ accounts and anecdotes, and on research by the author. The author states that he wrote the book because “I was the one who knew the whole story and I could not allow it to be lost."
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