The Silent World

I love the part where they dynamite the coral reef to get the boat through. For science! They also run over a baby whale, and kill the poor thing. At least they didn't fondue it. I have so say though, science was manlier in those days, and scientists weren't afraid to wear short-shorts.

What a blast from the past! I remember when I was a kid, the whole family would watch Cousteau's semi-annual specials on TV. Back then, they only showed things once, and if you missed it, you missed it! Not like today, kids will probably never understand how a TV show could be special. And I don't remember them killing any whales, honestly it was a little shocking to re-watch it now, after all the years.

Calypso in 1980
Calypso was BYMS-26, a Royal Navy minesweeper built in Oregon, 1942


Ocean Sunfish

Mola mola

Size:
to 10 ft long, 11 ft tall, 4400 lbs,
but usually 4-5 ft long

Habitat:
Open ocean, usually basking near surface. This giant, slow-moving creature flaps along at the surface, propelled by its oar-like dorsal and anal fins and steering with the stump of its tail.