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John Chatterton
Wreck Diver, Explorer & Underwater Investigator
From underwater construction beneath New York to the identification of an unknown German submarine 230 feet below the Atlantic, John Chatterton’s career reflects an unusual combination of working-diver discipline, historical curiosity and determination. His expeditions became books and television, but the foundation remained the same: understand the wreck, assemble the evidence and let the history lead the story.
Career
Drawing on more than two decades in commercial diving, Chatterton became one of the best-known American wreck explorers. His work has ranged from the North Atlantic and U-869 to Titanic, Britannic and Caribbean maritime archaeology, while his television, teaching and public appearances have introduced wider audiences to the craft of underwater investigation.
Signature Contributions
- Made the first descent to the unidentified submarine later established as U-869 and remained central to the six-year investigation that conclusively identified it.
- Applied commercial-diving discipline, mixed-gas technology, research and methodical wreck penetration to difficult North Atlantic sites.
- Helped bring wreck history to a broad public audience through PBS NOVA, Deep Sea Detectives, Shadow Divers and Pirate Hunters.
- Continues to share field experience through technical-diving instruction and public presentations.
Timeline
1970–1971 · Service as a combat medic
Served in Vietnam as a U.S. Army combat medic, an experience that reinforced calm decision-making, responsibility and teamwork.
1970s–1990s · Commercial-diving career
Built a professional foundation through more than two decades of underwater construction and commercial work around New York and New Jersey.
1982 onward · North Atlantic wreck exploration
Began applying commercial-diving knowledge to difficult regional wrecks, including extensive work on Andrea Doria and sites in the New York–New Jersey Mud Hole.
1991 · First descent to the mystery submarine
On an expedition from Bill Nagle’s dive vessel Seeker, became the first diver to inspect the unidentified submarine that the team called the U-Who.
1997 · U-869 conclusively identified
After six years of diving and research, evidence recovered by the team established the wreck as U-869, correcting its accepted historical location.
2000 · Hitler’s Lost Sub
The U-869 investigation reached a broad audience through the two-hour PBS NOVA documentary and its educational companion materials.
2003–2006 · Deep Sea Detectives
Co-hosted the History Channel series, using diving, research and forensic investigation to examine shipwreck mysteries around the world.
2005–2008 · Global wreck projects
Participated in Titanic and Britannic exploration and later worked with John Mattera on the search that identified the pirate ship Golden Fleece.
2015–present · Teaching and public storytelling
Continued technical-diving instruction, speaking appearances and exploration-focused television work, including dives connected with The Curse of Oak Island.
Media Work
Co-host of the History Channel series Deep Sea Detectives; featured in PBS NOVA’s Hitler’s Lost Sub and later exploration programs.