doi:10.3723/ut.33.135 Underwater Technology, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 135, 2015 www.sut.org

Commander reconnaissance of a Russian war- remarkable given his small stat- ship that had brought Khrush- ure (around 5ft, 5in tall) and the Book Review Crabb – What chev to Britain in April 1956. The fact that he was a weak swimmer. now retired, and reportedly not Part 2 of the book is concerned really happened? so fit, Crabb entered the water with the detail and objectives of using a system (to the diving operations. The plural By John Bevan eliminate tell-tale bubbles break- is used because recently it was ing the surface) early on the made known that Crabb was not Published by Submex Ltd morning of 19 April to inspect the only diver commissioned by the propeller of the Ordzhonikidze. the UK to undertake the inspec- Hardcover edition, 2014 He did not return from this dive. tion of the Ordzhonikidze as it was Some 14 months later, a tied up at the South Railway Jetty. ISBN 978 095082 427 7 decomposed and incomplete Bevan relates some 13 theories as 101 pages body dressed in diving gear was to what happened to Crabb fol- fished up in Chichester Harbour. lowing the dive. Many of these Was it that of Buster Crabb? This have been put forward by the Lionel Kenneth Phillip Crabb book concludes it was. However, other works and include possible was born on 28 January 1909 in it was very unlikely that it was car- defection to, or capture by, the Streatham. Serving as a ried there naturally by the currents. Russians. Part 3, the Conclusions, with the during Dr John Bevan has spent his discusses the likely possible causes World War II, he gained a most career in diving. Early on he was of Crabb’s death and how his distinguished war record, which head of the Royal Navy’s Environ- body could, or could not, have included awards of the George mental Factors Section at the ended up in Chichester Harbour. Medal and the OBE. Royal Navy Physiological Labora- Throughout the book there are Commander Crabb died, pre- tory in Alverstoke. Qualified to numerous photographs and dia- sumably on the 19 April 1956, the Health and Safety Executive grams of people, places, equip- during what appeared to be an ill- (HSE) Part 1 Diver, he has under- ment and medals. These conceived and badly planned taken consultancy in the field of illustrations are not only informa- covert operation in Ports- diving and acted as expert witness tive, but also take the reader back mouth Harbour. The secrecy of for diving accidents. He has also to the times in question and ena- this operation and, in particular, turned his attention to the fasci- ble the reader to get to ‘know’ of his fate has naturally led to nating subject of the history of div- the characters involved, in par- numerous conspiracy theories ing, writing a number of books in ticular of course Commander being developed in the ensuing this field. Therefore, I would say himself. For those years. At least nine books have that no one is more qualified to who are familiar with these events been published that discuss and offer a considered opinion con- that took place, it is an essential develop these theories. This book, cerning the fate of Buster Crabb. read. However, even those who in a concise manner, presents the The book is divided into three are not will find it a most absorb- known facts, analyses much con- parts. Part 1 includes a brief ing and fascinating account of a flicting evidence and concludes preface to the book and provides diving mystery from more than with what most likely happened significant background informa- half a century ago. to him. tion about Crabb himself. In par- Commander ‘Buster’ Crabb, ticular, his most distinguished (Reviewed by Dr RL Allwood, as he was known, was commis- war record as a Royal Navy frog- Chief Executive, Society for sioned to undertake underwater man is described. This was quite Underwater Technology)

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