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Eugenie Clark, Dr. Carl Hubbs, and Elizabeth Kampa. La Jolla, California, 1946-47
Genie had the opportunity to complete research fellowships at several different marine laboratories, including working as a research assistant at Scripps Oceanographic Institute (California). While there, she tried diving for the first time using a dive helmet. A hole in the air line caused her to faint underwater. She nearly drowned but luckily made it safely to the surface. Her mentor, Dr. Carl Hubbs, insisted she dive again right away so she would not be afraid in the future. It worked! Genie completed thousands of dives including free dives, helmet dives, SCUBA dives, and submersible dives.
Definition: Submersible: A ship designed for underwater work or exploration
Genie continued her education, studying at the American Museum of Natural History and eventually earning a PhD at New York University. During this time, she also conducted research at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (Massachusetts), for the Office of Naval Research in Micronesia, and at the Lerner Marine Laboratory (Bimini, Bahamas).
“Several miles out the outboard motor failed and it took about 4 hours to pole and paddle home. We had no oars so used our feet and hands with flippers on them. After dark the water was filled with luminescent animals that lit up when we dipped into the water. The night was very pretty and the boys sang Japanese songs and spirits were quite high.”
from field notebook "1949, Micronesia"
Eugenie Clark sitting with the high chiefs of the island of Fais. Micronesia, 1949
One of Genie's first attempts at releasing a throw net. Micronesia, 1949
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