Seven
men set out at sunrise, 7
a.m., on Tues, June 7, 1960 aboard the converted landing craft Marie
from Santa Barbara Harbor. Their
destination?
The waters off Santa Cruz Island most likely around Smugglers Cove. Their mission? Testing
underwater classified infrared communication equipment as part of a U.S. defense industry contract. Those men
( scientist, engineers, scuba divers, and guest) were never seen alive again.More...
Gordon Humphrey,
Raytheon
Communicator, Raytheon Santa Barbara Operations, July 1960
NEWS! Marie Tragedy
recognized as a
Cold War
event! Frances Gary Powers Jr., President of the
Cold War Museum,
gave the award in 2010 which provides a welcome capstone to the 50th
anniversary.
"When
you align the Cold War era, the History of Science, Dr. Niel F.
Beardsley's influence on the 'Art of Infrared', as he fondly referred
to IR... The MARIE EVENT becomes a milestone in the Cold War historical timeline." Teresa Newton-Terres,
Marie Event 2010
"The contributions a man makes to his chosen field of
endeavor sometimes go far beyond the work which actually bears his
signature. This is particularly true of Niel F. Beardsley, a pioneer
in infrared..."
“I consider these men as being as worthy of
hero stature as the pilot of the
U2
planes, because even though they did not know that their lives were in
danger, they did die while undertaking a project to help insure the safety
of the free world.”
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MARIE SHIPWRECK EVENT - June 7, 1960
