Without it, our ideas about the world of the underwater depths would not be complete. After all, the scientific contribution of this outstanding Frenchman will always remain truly priceless.
Early years, childhood and family of Jacques-Yves Cousteau
The future famous oceanographer was born in the French town of Saint-André-de-Cubzac in the Bordeaux region, which has always been famous for its warm sun and rich grape harvests. His mother was a housewife most of her life, and his father, Daniel, worked as a lawyer.On the paternal side, our today's hero has Belarusian roots. The father of the future oceanographer moved to France from Belarus. The oceanographer’s uncle lived his entire life in the BSSR.
It is quite remarkable that real name oceanographer, as well as his less famous father- “Bush.” Only after marrying Jacques-Yves’ mother did his father decide to change the Belarusian surname and write it down in the French manner.
Returning to other aspects of the life of the Cousteau family, we note that the oceanographer’s parents constantly traveled. They often traveled to other cities, went to the mountains or to the seashore. Perhaps it was this way of life that predetermined the character of our today's hero.
He was drawn to new discoveries and bright achievements. Having learned to swim early, Jacques-Yves Cousteau did not get out of the water for days. Subsequently, she became an important part of his life.
After the First World War, Cousteau Sr. found work in an American company, and therefore the whole family was forced to follow him. In the USA, Jacques-Yves learned English well and also began to become interested in mechanics for the first time.
It was here, during one of his trips to the sea, that our today's hero made his first dives. The underwater world of the ocean is so captivating young guy that subsequently he simply could not imagine his life without the depths of the sea.
Why did Jacques Cousteau convert to Islam?
After returning to France, Jacques-Yves Cousteau began creating technical samples and very soon managed to design a battery-powered machine. This engineering success brought him a certain amount of money, with which he bought his first movie camera.
During this period, he was interested in many things at once, as if he was not yet able to find himself among many hobbies. He took small sketches, created sketches of various equipment, and also went swimming in the evenings. Our today's hero was absolutely indifferent only to his studies.
Due to his low performance, they once even wanted to expel him from school. However, his father intervened in the matter and independently took the guy from classroom. On family council It was decided that Jacques-Yves Cousteau would join the army. This decision suited everyone, and therefore very soon the young guy applied to the French Naval Academy.
In the early thirties, as part of the battle cruiser Joan of Arc, our today's hero circumnavigated the world through all the seas of our planet. This event played an important role in his fate. Jacques-Yves Cousteau met various aspects stay at sea, and also learned the basics of shipbuilding and maritime navigation. Subsequently, the famous oceanographer sailed on many other ships.
The path of Jacques-Yves Cousteau in science: to the depths of the sea
In 1938, Jacques-Yves Cousteau began to frequently dive into depths of the sea using only a mask and fins. During this period, he began to seriously study the underwater world and its inhabitants for the first time.The Odyssey of Jacques Cousteau
Realizing that existing technologies were imperfect, already in the early forties, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, together with his friend Emile Gagnan, began creating a special apparatus for diving to the bottom of the ocean. From the very beginning it was decided that the system would operate on the basis of compressed air, which would be located in special cylinders.
As a result, in 1943, the first prototype of a scuba gear was created, which was subsequently repeatedly improved and refined. Having finally received everything necessary equipment to explore the underwater depths, Jacques-Yves Cousteau began to study scientific activities.
He was engaged in writing books, filming documentaries, as well as research mysterious world depths of the ocean. Since 1950, our today's hero has traveled exclusively on the legendary ship Calypso, which later became a real symbol of the science of oceanography.
In 1957, Jacques-Yves headed the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, within which he began to conduct research sea creatures. One of the oceanographer's most famous scientific discoveries was the discovery of internal sonar in cetaceans. In 1973, our today's hero created a non-profit foundation for the protection of underwater inhabitants.
The last years of Jacques-Yves Cousteau's life
Over his long life, the scientist created many amazing technical devices for exploring the depths of the sea. Thus, he is considered the author of waterproof lenses for video cameras, special submarines for scientific research underwater depths.Jacques-Yves Cousteau's research formed the basis for a series of documentaries, which were subsequently broadcast on many television channels around the world.
For his outstanding scientific research, our today's hero was consecrated commander of the Legion of Honor, and was also awarded many other awards. After the death of the great explorer in 1997, he was solemnly buried in one of the cemeteries of his hometown of Saint-André-de-Cubzac.
Personal life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau was married twice in his life. In his marriage to his first wife, Simone Melchior, two sons of the scientist were born. Both sons from the first marriage of our today’s hero also subsequently connected their lives with science.After the death of his first wife, Jacques-Yves remarried. His second wife was Francine Triplett, who, even before the wedding, gave birth to a daughter and a son.
We are sure that you have seen the film “Odyssey” about the life of the outstanding explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. If not, HelloMonaco will tell you some fascinating biographical facts about Cousteau's life and what lies behind the title of the biopic, directed by Frenchman Jerome Sall. He is also known for his films Largo Winch and Elusive. The role of the commander was played by the famous French actor Lambert Wilson, Cousteau's first wife was played by Audrey Tautou, and Pierre Ninet appeared in the role of the son Philip. Filming took place in Croatia on the Adriatic coast. The film "Odyssey" became perhaps the largest adventure project in modern history French cinema.
Forever in Monaco
They say the man in the red cap is still around here somewhere. Even twenty years after Cousteau’s death, he continues to be remembered in the principality. Ask older Monegasques where the “Cousteau Museum” is located, and they will definitely tell you the way to the Oceanography Museum. For 32 years, the great commander headed this “temple of the sea.” In 1957, Prince Rainier III invited him to become director of the famous museum, and he agreed.
Currently, the current director, Robert Calcano, works in Cousteau's office. When inviting guests to his place, he will certainly proudly say: “This way, please!” You are entering the great commander’s office!” From this huge room with a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea, great exploration and adventure began. Jacques-Yves made this museum famous throughout the world; in his time, the institution was visited annually by more than a million people, but today the figure has dropped to 700,000.
Monaco will never forget the discoveries and legacy that the great captain left behind. At the request of Prince Albert II, in 2018, a department dedicated to the great explorers of Monaco was opened at the Oceanographic Museum, and Jacques-Yves Cousteau took first place among them. He was accompanied by Prince Albert I and his great-great-grandson Albert II.
It is worth saying that for several years the sovereign of Monaco also tried to save the famous Cousteau ship "Calypso", but these attempts were unsuccessful.
The story of Cousteau's ship - "Calypso"
The Calypso was the most famous exploration ship in the history of oceanography. It traveled with its captain more than 1 million nautical miles: from the Red Sea and the Amazon to Antarctica and Indian Ocean. Today, however, all that remains of the Calypso is a skeleton on the shores of the port city of Concarneau in western France. In the film "Odyssey" you can see the famous ship against the backdrop of Antibes and think that the Calypso has returned to its native shores. Sorry, but this is just a video montage.
By the way, there is an opinion that it was in the south of France that the fate of this British destroyer, decommissioned in 1950, was decided. This is what the son of one of the divers remembers about this day: “It happened at the Maison des Pecheurs restaurant in Juan-les-Pins. Sitting at the table were Prince Rainier, Cousteau, Irish millionaire Thomas Guinness, a French minister and several other people. Jacques-Yves said that he dreams of making a film about the ocean, and he needs a ship for this project. Guinness said he was ready to give the captain the ship. The deal was symbolic; he asked only 1 franc for the ship.”
There is another story that tells about Cousteau's meeting with the future ship "Calypso". Allegedly, the commander and Guinness met on the island of Gozo near Malta and it was there that the millionaire offered to choose a ship from the base English fleet. Cousteau saw an American-built minesweeper and asked for it.
It is known that the reconstruction of the ship took about a month. The ship was in excellent condition. Manufactured in 1942 in Seattle, this Class 1 minesweeper saw no action during World War II and was therefore undamaged. Equipped with a powerful engine, the ship was controlled by a team of 12 people. Cousteau ordered the construction of cabins for another 10 people, a spacious wardroom and a special room in the bow below the waterline, equipped with a porthole for underwater observations. The ship was named "Calypso" - after the nymph, the character ancient greek mythology, associated with the island of Gozo.
The reconstruction of Calypso cost Cousteau quite significant expenses. When the ship was launched on July 19, 1950, a completely penniless captain climbed aboard. Jacques-Yves solved the problems of financing with his usual scope: he founded a non-profit organization, but which was charged with all the costs of equipping the expeditions. The first income to the fund of the new company was the money received by Cousteau’s first wife for her jewelry. By selling earrings, rings and necklaces, Madame Cousteau paid for fuel for the ship, and her furs served as payment for a used compass and gyroscope. This is how the first expedition was assembled.
In the early nineties, Calypso became an icon of the environmental movement to preserve the wealth of the World's oceans. Traveling on this ship made the entire Cousteau team famous throughout the world.
Oblivion
In 1996, the Calypso was accidentally rammed by a cargo ship. The accident occurred in Singapore harbor. The famous ship sank and it took several days to raise the ship to the surface and then tow it to France.
The non-profit organization Cousteau Society decided to restore the boat after the death of the captain. In 2007, the ship arrived in Concarneau for restoration. A crowd of people flooded the embankment to see Calypso with their own eyes. To the applause of those present, Cousteau Society employees handed out red caps like those worn by Commander Cousteau.
After two years, the customer for the restoration work, Cousteau Society, decided that the cost of repairs was too high and stopped paying. Naturally, the Piriou shipyard stopped work on the Calypso. Then there were long legal proceedings, and the boat was left to the wind and time. They tried to sell the ship, but to no avail. The latest attempt was made in 2015, when Prince Albert II invited Cousteau's second wife Francine to buy a boat. The head of Monaco wanted to either restore the ship and put it back on the water for further sea voyages, or organize a commander’s museum on the Calypso.
However, Cousteau's widow stopped all negotiations and announced that the ship would sail to Turkey. There, restoration work will be carried out at the Aykin family shipyard. Although, looking at the ruins that are located in Concarneau, you will immediately understand that almost nothing remains of Cousteau’s boat. So after restoration it will be difficult to call this new ship by its former name.
Interesting facts from the life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Biography
- Born June 11, 1910 in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, near Bordeaux, in the family of a lawyer.
- In 1930 he enlisted in the navy as head of an underwater research group.
- In 1933, Cousteau graduated from the French Maritime Academy and received the rank of lieutenant. He dreamed of a naval career. A few years later, Jacques-Yves was sent to the training ship Joan of Arc, on which he managed to travel around the world.
- 1936 - a car accident that forever closed the path to Cousteau's military career. During a long period of rehabilitation, the future commander invented goggles for scuba diving.
- 1937 - marriage to Simone Melchior, from whom two sons were born - Jean-Michel and Philippe.
- 1943 - Cousteau, together with Emile Gagnan, invented a device designed for breathing under water - the first scuba gear.
- 1956 - Jacques-Yves retired from the French Navy with the rank of captain and took up the post of director of the Oceanographic Institute and Museum in Monaco.
- 1974 - founding of the non-profit organization Cousteau Society, which was engaged in the research and protection of the World Ocean.
- 1990 - death of Simone Cousteau. Simone's ashes were scattered over the sea off the coast of Monaco.
- 1991 - Marriage to Francine Triplett. By that time, they already had a daughter, Diana, born in 1980, and a son, Pierre (born in 1982).
- Jacques-Yves Cousteau died in Paris on June 25, 1997 at the age of 87 years from myocardial infarction. He is buried in the family plot in the Saint-André-de-Cubzac cemetery.
- After the death of the commander, two organizations remained to continue his work: Cousteau Society and Ocean Future.
Photo: elespanol.com/kulturologia.ru/colors.life/divers24.pl/rolexmagazine.com/ocean-media.su/gt-style.ru
French naval officer, explorer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau helped millions of people learn about what was happening beneath the surface of the ocean. So how well do you know the man in the wetsuit? June 11, 2015 - 105th Birthday of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, let's take a look at five things you might not know about the master of the deep sea.
1. INITIALLY HE WANTED TO FLY
In young age Cousteau joined the French navy, but diving was never part of his plans, both life and work. Instead, Cousteau planned to become a naval aviator. But his dream died when Cousteau was involved in a serious car accident in 1936. A young pilot borrowed his father's Salmson sports car to go to a wedding and got into a terrible accident - the headlights were blocked on the road at night. Cousteau was so seriously injured in the accident that it seemed impossible to restore his training.
Cousteau needed a way to repair and strengthen his broken arms. That is why, as training, he began swimming in the ocean. In the same year, Cousteau took his first scuba dive wearing scuba goggles and he knew he had found his calling.
2. HE HAD A SECRET FAMILY
Soon after Cousteau Having discovered his love for the underwater world, he also declared his love for Simone Melchior. They married in 1937, and Simone was never in the shadow of Jacques' life. She sailed with him on expeditions on his ship Calypso, helped him secure financing for new projects, and even sold her family jewels to help buy fuel for the ship. Simone looked after the Calypso crew so well that the crew nicknamed her "La Bergere" or "The Shepherdess".
Jacques Cousteau with his first wife
The story is worthy love story, is not it? Imagine how surprised everyone was when in 1991 he announced that he not only had a mistress, but also a secret family. A year after Simone died of cancer, Cousteau told the world about his long affair with Francine Triplett, who was 30 years his junior. He also stated that he had two secret children from this relationship. Later Cousteau married Triplett.
3. HE PROBABLY WOULD LIKE YOU TO DRINK GUINNESS
Famous ship Jacques-Yves Cousteau The Calypso was originally a British minesweeper during the Second World War, and after the end of the conflict it became a ferry in Malta. In 1950, Irish millionaire Thomas Loel Guinness, a descendant legendary family brewers, bought a ship. For Guinness, this ship was not an expensive purchase, so he did not bargain for it for a long time. He rented it to Cousteau at a very attractive price: one franc per year.
"Calypso"
The ship was in fairly poor condition before the moment that made it famous. In January 1996, Calypso was in Singapore when it was accidentally rammed by a barge. The ship sank and had to be pulled out of the water by crane for extensive restoration in the future. After Cousteau's death in 1997, two branches of his family fought a bitter battle over the ship's future. He is currently still recovering. And this is quite an expensive idea!
4. HE BECAME FRIENDS WITH CASTRO
In 1985, he and his team decided to travel to Cuba to explore the country's unique marine system and also build a picture of the lobster population. And while there, Cousteau dined on his ship with Fidel Castro. And Cousteau seemed to really like Castro: the dictator allowed the diver to free 80 political prisoners. But his team also had another unique honor: They became the first non-Cubans in 24 years since the Cuban Missile Crisis to be allowed through the gates of the U.S. Navy installation at Guantanamo Bay.
5. HE WANTED WATER WORLD TO BE A REALITY
Perhaps he became one of the inventors of scuba gear, and was the most famous diver in history, but he dreamed that one fine day his invention would no longer be necessary. In a 1960 interview with Time magazine Cousteau predicted that in the future, medical science would advance to the point where people could be surgically implanted with gills that would allow them to live underwater. Cousteau believed that if surgery could be improved, then a subsequent procedure could be possible that would remove the gills and allow a person to return to normal life on earth again. He told the magazine: “Everything that was done on the surface will sooner or later be done under water. This will be the conquest of a whole new world."
We are sure that this man in the funny red cap was hiding many more secrets on his ship. Will we recognize them, who knows? But thanks Jacques-Yves Cousteau, we already know a lot more about the ocean.
Fascinated by aviation, he entered the Naval Aviation Academy, but due to injuries received in a car accident in 1936, he had to leave his studies. Cousteau returned to naval service on a warship. Then I became seriously interested in diving. To prevent water from corroding his eyes, he invented waterproof glasses. Experiments with underwater equipment followed.
During World War II, Cousteau began working for French naval intelligence, which, whenever possible, supported the continuation of diving experiments and assisted the French Resistance movement.
In 1943, Cousteau and engineer Emile Gagnan invented a self-contained scuba suit. With its help, it was possible to move freely underwater and descend to a depth of 90 meters. Cousteau invented waterproof cameras and lighting, as well as the first underwater television system.
After the war, he helped clear sea areas of underwater mines. Later, the Ministry of the Navy handed over to Cousteau the floating base "Albatross", which was renamed "Elie Monnier", for testing diving techniques. The ship's crew, which included experienced divers and academic scientists, was engaged not only in improving diving equipment, but also in underwater research off the coast of Corsica, Sardinia, Tunisia, Morocco and in the Atlantic.
In 1950, Cousteau purchased a decommissioned minesweeper and converted it into a floating research laboratory, which became known internationally as the Calypso. It was on this legendary ship that Cousteau and his team more than once made round the world travel, explored marine flora and fauna, made unique recordings, filming, and photographs.
In 1957, he headed the Oceanological Museum, without leaving underwater expeditions. In the process of underwater research, Cousteau designed diving devices to various sea depths, the so-called “diving saucers,” and adapted a movie camera for underwater filming.
Even during the war years, he began to engage in underwater filming and creating scientific and educational documentaries based on his own materials. Many expeditions of the research vessel Calypso were also filmed by him and shown in films and on television.
Since 1966 he has hosted a television program.
Jacques Cousteau was the author of 50 books, including "In a World of Silence" (written with Frédéric Dumas and James Dagen), "A World Without Sun", "For There to Be No Mysteries in the World", "Calypso" and Corals", " The world's oceans." The film version of the book "In a Silent World" was awarded an Oscar and the French Palme d'Or in 1956; in 1965, a documentary film called "A World Without Sun" also received an Oscar.
Concerned about the destruction of marine ecosystems, Cousteau founded a non-profit conservation society in 1974. marine environment, which was called the Cousteau Society.
For his work, Cousteau was awarded numerous awards, including the Legion of Honor. In 1977, the United Nations awarded him the International Environment Prize. In 1989 he was elected to the French Academy of Sciences.
Cousteau was married twice. The first wife was Simone Melchior, who died in 1990. They had two sons, Jean-Michel and Philippe, who died in a plane crash in 1979. In 1991, Cousteau married Francine Triplett, who bore him a daughter and a son.
Jacques Cousteau died on June 25, 1997 in Paris (France). He was buried in the cemetery of Saint-André-de-Cubzac.
The material was prepared based on information from open sources
On June 11, 1910, the great explorer of the seas and oceans of our time was born Jacques-Yves Cousteau. During his long and eventful life, he became perhaps the most famous person, whose name in the minds of people around the world is directly associated with the sea. He created dozens of books and films about the life of the blue continent.
There would be no happiness, but misfortune would help
Even in his youth, Jacques-Yves Cousteau dreamed of the sea and even then had a firm intention to connect his destiny with it. At the age of 20, he graduated from naval school and entered the naval academy. At some point, Jacques-Yves became fascinated by the sky and even tried to transfer to naval aviation. But after a car accident in which he was seriously injured, a new dream I had to say goodbye. As they say, there would be no happiness, but misfortune helped.
It was the accident and subsequent health problems that brought Cousteau even closer to the sea. To restore his lost health, he began swimming daily. It was during this period of his life that he invented his first scuba diving goggles.
The inquisitive mind of the natural scientist gave no rest: experiments began with special equipment for diving. As a result, in 1943 the world received autonomous scuba gear, thanks to which it was possible long time being underwater and diving to previously unknown depths. Already in 1946, Cousteau's scuba gear entered the industrial production. Further - more: underwater lighting devices and television cameras were born. All this, without exaggeration, revolutionized the study of the oceans.
So, as a result of a terrible car accident, the world received a great traveler, inventor and explorer of the seas.
French explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau and TV presenter Nikolai Drozdov in the program “In the Animal World.” Photo: RIA Novosti / Mikhail Kukhtarev
cruel sky
Unlike the surface of the sea, the sky was not so favorable to this man. During his first attempt to connect his life with aviation, Cousteau was involved in a car accident. Later, already a well-known researcher, he began to use the former Catalina naval patrol bomber in his work. It was on it that one of Cousteau’s sons died in 1979 - Philip.
"Catalina" was used for the filming of another film. Philip, who was piloting the seaplane, landed it on the water, but the car began to sink, quickly sinking its nose under the water. The engine tore off the wing and crashed into the cockpit with enormous force.
All crew members escaped, but Philip's body was never found.
French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau at a meeting with specialists from the Institute of Oceanology of the USSR Academy of Sciences. 1987 Photo: RIA Novosti / Ptitsyn
Mine sweeper in the service of science
The name of Jacques-Yves Cousteau is inextricably linked with the name of his ship - Calypso. But few people know that before becoming the main vessel of the world famous sea explorer, it was a minesweeper for the British Navy. During World War II, the ship, which then bore the proud name of HMS J-826, roamed the expanses of Mediterranean Sea. After the war, she served peaceful purposes for some time as a ferry transporting people from Malta to the island of Gozo. It was then that the ship became known as the Calypso.
Calypso in the port of La Rochelle, 1999. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Peter Potrowl
Bought the ship for Irish Cousteau millionaire Thomas Loel Guinness. The researcher received a ship for rent, the cost of which was 1 franc per year. The lessee converted the ship into an expedition vessel, installed diving and research equipment on it, and also placed a helipad on the deck. The ship could travel up to 5 thousand miles (about 9200 km) in full autonomy mode. The Calypso team consisted of 12 people, with 10 crew members being the researchers themselves. During the work of Cousteau's team on the Calypso, the ship visited almost all the oceans and seas of the world, including Antarctica, and even walked along the Amazon.
From that moment on, a completely new, complete incredible adventures and life of distant wanderings. It was colorful and ended in 1996: the Calypso sank after colliding with a barge in Singapore. Two weeks later, the ship was raised from the day and towed to the French base of Cousteau's team. All subsequent years they tried in vain to turn the ship into a museum of the great explorer, but the idea constantly ran into various financial and bureaucratic obstacles.
Jacques Cousteau's submarine in Monaco near the Oceanographic Museum. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org/wrecked
In a world of silence
In 1953, Cousteau co-authored Frederic Dumas published his first book, “In a World of Silence,” and three years later a film of the same name was made using footage of the underwater world. It took 25 km of film and two years of hard work to create the picture. However, the film itself lasts only 86 minutes. Until 2004, it remained the only documentary film to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
But the researcher’s first attempt at writing was the film “8 Meters Under Water,” which was filmed in the early 40s, long before the appearance of “Calypso.”
The popularity that Cousteau gained thanks to his first book and film allowed him to expand the horizons of his capabilities - he was appointed director of the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco and built his first bathyscaphe for diving into the depths of the sea.
If the main role In Cousteau’s first documentary, “Calypso” was rightfully given the spotlight, but the focus of the second film, “World Without Sun,” was already on underwater research stations. Cousteau's second film in 1965 was awarded an Oscar. The film “The Story of the Red Fish” also won an Oscar.
By the early 1980s, the central channels of many countries around the world, including the USSR, showed Cousteau’s films almost in prime time. The legendary “Odyssey of the Cousteau Team” - a series of documentaries about the underwater world - is known on all continents of the Earth.
Heritage
Without any special education or scientific degrees, Cousteau became the first explorer of the world's oceans. For his discoveries and contributions to science, he was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor, the Order of Naval Merit and other equally high-profile awards.
The grave of Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Peter17
The researcher's legacy includes his numerous books and dozens of films translated into many languages of the world. Jacques-Yves Cousteau saw the bottom of the world's oceans as no one had ever seen it before. The researcher was stunned by the scale of destruction of marine ecosystems. In 1973, the Team Cousteau Foundation was created, dedicated to oceanographic research and environmental protection.
Cousteau had four children from two wives. Moreover, the children from his second wife were born during the period when the researcher was married to his first wife. After the death of his first wife, Cousteau entered into a legal battle with his eldest son Jean-Michel due to the use of the surname for commercial purposes. The court sided with the parent and forbade the heir to mix his commercial activities with the scientific merits of his father.
Jacques-Yves Cousteau died in 1997, a year after his Calypso collided with a barge and sank.