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1002
Leif Erickson
Leif Erickson becomes the first European to land in North America. He stayed one winter in present day Newfoundland and went back to Greenland where he stayed. His voyage takes place nearly 500 years before that of Christopher Columbus. It led to knowledge for others that another area lies to the west. -
1405
Chinese exploration
The Chinese sent out seven voyages consisting of over 300 ships and a combined crew of nearly 37,000. These voyages were motivated by their will to spread Chinese influence and to impress surrounding nations. -
1492
Voyage of Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus sets out on a historical voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a passage to China and India. Instead, he discovers North and Latin america. Where He eventually colonizes the land and its people. This led the way for other European Nations to come get a piece of the pie and overall sparked trade from the Americas to Europe -
1522
Ferdinand Magellan ships circumnavigate the world
One of his 5 ships successfully made it around the world. This showed people that it was possible to sail around the world. -
First submarine
Dutch inventor Cornelis Drebbel builds the world's first submarine and makes several trips in the River Thames near London at a depth of about 12 or 15 feet. -
first scientific specific voyage
Sailed to 52 degree S on the Atlantic ocean to explore trade winds using compass navigation -
southern continent exploration
James Cook explores the southern parts of the oceans looking for the southern continent. He was the first to use a marine chronometer to determine longitude. -
ben franklin writes book regarding ocean exploration
He writes specifically about improvements to ships to navigate the gulf stream -
Charles Darwin explores the Galapagos
He sailed on the beagle and explored the Gulapogas which led him to develop the concept of natural selection and evolution. -
First chart of the gulf stream is established
U.S coast survey puts out the first gulf stream report a big step in navigating more efficiently and safely. -
H.M.S. Challenger travels around the world on a scientific mission
Taking samples of the sediment, water, soundings and biological collectings. -
he first vessel built by any government from the keel up as an oceanographic research vessel
Albatross was a commercial fishing vessel the first to be built by the government for operations -
Albatross voyage 2
This voyage explored the south central pacific in search of soundings, dredging and water temperature readings an wares that was unexplored during the time. -
Titanic sank
The sought to be undestructable ship sank after hitting an iceburg. This lead to a push for increased ability to detect object moving under the water. -
Reginald Fessenden exploration detection
sails on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Miami. He uses a Fessenden Oscillator to reflect a signal off an iceberg and simultaneously reflect an acoustic signal off the sea bottom. This test marks the beginning of the acoustic exploration of the sea -
Prince Albert of Monaco
While on a multi year voyage through the east atlantic he became the first person to conduct upper air exploration using kites and balloons to get data on the weather and air pressure readings on the ocean. -
the first RAR (radio acoustic ranging) navigation System
This is the first navigation system capable of round-the-clock operation in all weather conditions . and does not require a navigator to see either some recognizable landmark or celestial object to position a vessel. It is a major step on the road to modern electronic navigation systems -
WWII war ocean warfare technology
electronic navigation systems are developed for precision bombing, including the gee system, which Coast and Geodetic Survey hydrographers adapt and rename Shoran. In 1945, the Survey conducts its first hydrographic surveys using Shoran. This is significant because it allowed military to detect enemies without being able to see them and navigate all in one. -
Bathyscaph Trieste
This vessel dives to the new deepest point on earth in the Mariana Trench at 10915 until further in 1998 -
NOAA
NOAA is founded and becomes the front agency on the new age of ocean exploration -
Titanic discovered
73 years later the titanic is discovered 12500 feet deep off the coast of Newfoundland in two pieces. -
Ocean surface mapping
The TOPEX/Poseidon satellite is launched, providing oceanographic data that was previously impossible to obtain. This included 826 miles of ocean surface area mapped out to within 1.3 inches error. -
Mariana Trench national monument
President bush establishes the national monument of the Mariana Trench spanning 95216 miles an order to protect the very rare and unique wildlife and phenomenons that exist here. -
Seabed 2030
Researchers in Japan and another ocean exploration group are informing that in the year 2030 using all maps and technology available develop a realistic map of the ocean floor. -
Deep ocean wwII battlefields
Deep wwII battlefields far beneath the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean is being explored to give us a better account on technology and causes of what happened to these vessels and the people on them.