
Cast
Acting
Cast
Known for
Acting
Born
1919-12-25
From
Oakland, California, USA
Died
2006-09-08
Also known as Fred Noel Spiess
Fred Spiess was a pioneering American oceanographer, naval officer, and marine engineer. A graduate of UCâŻBerkeley (B.S. and Ph.D.) and Harvard (M.S.), he served in the U.S. Navy during World WarâŻII before joining the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1952. Spiess developed groundbreaking deepâsea research tools, including the Deep Tow vehicle, and advanced the use of acoustics for seafloor mapping, helping shape modern oceanographic exploration. He served as director of Scrippsâ Marine Physical Laboratory and was recognized with major honors such as the Maurice Ewing Medal and election to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering. In 1980 and 1981 he joined the Jack Grimm Titanic search expeditions as chief scientific consultant, helping operate and interpret sonar and deepâtowed data