dr"

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The design is simple and strong, clamping mechanism has been ini proved, and the valve is made ( Imo corrosive chrome-Bladed brass. Safety AIR RESERVE VALVE The wets are fitted with 11,7401'N'I` Valve. in It cannot be left 11,14.1111,111111ty on `Reserve' when Lhe cylinder r, Comfort empty. '1'he valve has no cam no iou which can wear or jaw. HARNESS The new nylee welihnil harness is designed wilhotil, n i1iii.,1 strap, to make a wcir ld i„,i ) „„„.,, The Essgee 'Mistral' Aqualung by comfortable to weir. ' I' I rrin on Siebe, Gorman based on the famous quick-requick-release iiicl 1 1114 '11. Cousteau-Cagnan design has all the take off the set below Icny ) I li.. latest refinements that research has water, or jettison it i suggested and experiment realised. TWIN CYLINDER CONVERSION `§te DEMAND VALVE The double-lever You can convert, ,„101 ----4040aP action reduces opening resistance Aqualung into 41, twin sot, didolummolimosiiiiiiiiiill111111111111111111111111113mmi to a minimum, and the single stage * Write £0 Its fol. fall defisiln fif thy reduction gives maximum air-flow. Essgee 'Mistral'.

N-7

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underwater compressed-air finest

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For details write to:

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HEINKE LUNGS

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Whether you go on diving for

Write to us for our latest cata-

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right. Heinke kits enable you to make sure you get the best Heinke — a

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the de luxe twin aqualung, is

add more advanced facilities when from the simple snorkel tube to

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HEINKE DELTA SUITS Helnke Delta Suits are designed to

up to the rugged conditions encoun- tered by professional divers

give complete protection] to divers in cold or polluted water. Manufactured In neoprene, they are impervious to

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No. 2 2 No.

Secretary. Secretary.

Phone Phone

B.Sc., R.N., R.N., B.Sc.,

.' .'

It is generally agreed that if we must must we if that agreed generally is It

have a buddy line for safety reasons, reasons, safety for line buddy a have

why not make this additional piece of of piece additional this make not why

the birth of the 'Buddy Line Phone'. Phone'. Line 'Buddy the of birth the

Diving Unit is pleased to announce announce to pleased is Unit Diving Editor. Editor.

— —

-3- -3-

by `B.F by

June 1961 1961 June

Cartoonist. Cartoonist.

JEFFERSON, JEFFERSON,

Editorial Editorial

Treasurer. Treasurer.

BENFIELD, BENFIELD,

EDITORIAL STAFF STAFF EDITORIAL

CAISLEY, CAISLEY,

Communication Communication

Buddy Line Line Buddy

DIVING MAGAZINE, MAGAZINE, DIVING

BRASSINGTON, BRASSINGTON,

not fall within the first three categories. categories. three first the within fall not

The necessity to tailor the magazine to a a to magazine the tailor to necessity The

publication. publication.

poning some material even though it does does it though even material some poning

Articles arriving in good time having to to having time good in arriving Articles

for a very attractive contribution). contribution). attractive very a for well balanced issue which necessitates post- necessitates which issue balanced well

fully accepted a stand over of three issues issues three of over stand a accepted fully

(Our most enthusiastic author has cheer- has author enthusiastic most (Our

wait until we have enough material for for material enough have we until wait

Delay in awaiting security clearance for for clearance security awaiting in Delay

Articles intended for previous issue arriv- issue previous for intended Articles

ing too late and having to await next issue. issue. next await to having and late too ing

some articles. articles. some

(d) (d)

(c) (c)

(b) (b)

(a) (a)

must apologise that some articles which appear appear which articles some that apologise must

E E

in our magazine are hopelessly out of date as far far as date of out hopelessly are magazine our in

as our authors are concerned. concerned. are authors our as

Please remember that for 90% of our readers it is new, never get get never new, is it readers our of 90% for that remember Please

The reason for this is four-fold : : four-fold is this for reason The

L/Sea. M. J. J. M. L/Sea.

Lieutenant H. E. E. H. Lieutenant

Underwater Underwater

Instructor Lieutenant J. P. P. J. Lieutenant Instructor

Chief Petty Officer R. L. L. R. Officer Petty Chief

System (see (see System OLLOWING on the Diver's Diver's the on OLLOWING

R.N. Diving Magazine Magazine Diving R.N.

No. 3, Vol. 7) and using many of its its of many using and 7) Vol. 3, No.

components, Admiralty Experimental Experimental Admiralty components,

is virtually bare after this publication. publication. this after bare virtually is

F

material for the next issue as soon as possible because the material cupboard cupboard material the because possible as soon as issue next the for material

frustrated because it takes a little to produce, and above all let us have have us let all above and produce, to little a takes it because frustrated

W

Vol 8 8 Vol

7 7

5 5

33 33

22 22

39 39

17 17

13 13

24 24

41 41 20 20

38 38

14 14

48 48

44 44

35 35

50 50 47 47

52 52

54 54 54 54

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

I I

II II

•1 •1

• • • •

I • • I

2 2

Contents Contents

'NARVIK' . . 'NARVIK'

H.M.S. H.M.S.

NOTES NOTES

'PROTECTOR' . . . . 'PROTECTOR'

SUPERSONIC REGULATOR FOR DIVERS' BREATHING EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT BREATHING DIVERS' FOR REGULATOR SUPERSONIC

VISIT TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE BY YEOVILTON SUB-AQUA CLUB CLUB SUB-AQUA YEOVILTON BY FRANCE OF SOUTH THE TO VISIT

EDITORIAL . . . . EDITORIAL

NEWS FROM FROM NEWS

BUDDY LINE PHONE . . . . PHONE LINE BUDDY

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY DAY THE OF ORDER SPECIAL E.C.D.U. E.C.D.U.

NEWS FROM 'RECLAIM' 'RECLAIM' FROM NEWS

SEQUEL TO 'WHISKY GALORE' GALORE' 'WHISKY TO SEQUEL

A A

THE GUARDIAN OF HORSEA ISLAND ISLAND HORSEA OF GUARDIAN THE

C.-IN-C'S COMMENDATION COMMENDATION C.-IN-C'S

SALVAGE OPERATION—`ANNE GASTON' . . . . GASTON' OPERATION—`ANNE SALVAGE `DEEPWATER' DIVISION SPORTS NOTES . . . . NOTES SPORTS DIVISION `DEEPWATER'

FILM MAKING MAKING FILM

`SCHNORKELLED' `SCHNORKELLED'

ROYAL ENGINEERS DIVING SCHOOL, MARCHWOOD MARCHWOOD SCHOOL, DIVING ENGINEERS ROYAL

A A

RULE OF THE ROAD . . . . ROAD THE OF RULE `KEEPING THE FLAG FLYING' . . . . FLYING' FLAG THE `KEEPING

H.M.S. H.M.S.

SWIMMING GALA—H.M.S. 'VERNON' 1961 1961 'VERNON' GALA—H.M.S. SWIMMING

DIVING TRIALS AT GLEN FRUIN FRUIN GLEN AT TRIALS DIVING COMMAND NAVAL BOMB AND MINE DISPOSAL UNIT UNIT DISPOSAL MINE AND BOMB NAVAL COMMAND

Londonderry Londonderry

Admiral Admiral

Commander-in-Chief. Commander-in-Chief.

L. L. POWERS, POWERS, L. L.

I have commended Petty Officer Officer Petty commended have I

Any requests for a 'party' line line 'party' a for requests Any

18th May 1961. 1961. May 18th

the patient. It is tragic that their their that tragic is It patient. the

efforts should have gone unrewarded. unrewarded. gone have should efforts

Lieutenants Gallwey and Wightman Wightman and Gallwey Lieutenants

in boldly attempting to resuscitate resuscitate to attempting boldly in

for their prompt and decisive actions actions decisive and prompt their for

promptly volunteering to undertake undertake to volunteering promptly Hills and Leading Seaman Tyzack Tyzack Seaman Leading and Hills

this unpleasant task and Surgeon Surgeon and task unpleasant this

for their initiative and courage in in courage and initiative their for

patient were abandoned. abandoned. were patient

time no heart contractions were ob- were contractions heart no time

served, attempts to resuscitate the the resuscitate to attempts served,

of cardiac massage, during which which during massage, cardiac of

Surgeon Lieutenant Wightman main- Wightman Lieutenant Surgeon

apparatus. After about 15 minutes minutes 15 about After apparatus.

tained oxygen supply from the Novox Novox the from supply oxygen tained

5th rib to facilitate massage and and massage facilitate to rib 5th

while cardiac massage continued, continued, massage cardiac while

Wightman removed a portion of the the of portion a removed Wightman

of the heart. Surgeon Lieutenant Lieutenant Surgeon heart. the of

motionless, Surgeon Lieutenant Gall- Lieutenant Surgeon motionless,

wey commenced bimanual massage massage bimanual commenced wey

Lieutenant Wightman opened the the opened Wightman Lieutenant

patient's chest. Finding the heart heart the Finding chest. patient's

which failed to bleed, Surgeon Surgeon bleed, to failed which

could be found, and after an incision- an after and found, be could

was made on the diver's shoulder, shoulder, diver's the on made was

was attempted. No radial pulse pulse radial No attempted. was

Holger Neillson artificial respiration respiration artificial Neillson Holger

Wightman of H.M.S. H.M.S. of Wightman

arrived at the scene, resuscitation by by resuscitation scene, the at arrived

General. General.

Underwater Communication System, System, Communication Underwater

too long. long. too

there is some hope that it wont be be wont it that hope some is there should be referred to the Post Master Master Post the to referred be should

Vernon, Vernon,

berthed at South Wall Wall South at berthed

`Londonderry' `Londonderry'

Commander-in-Chief's Commendation Commendation Commander-in-Chief's

who had been tending tending been had who

Special Order of the Day Day the of Order Special

Naval Barracks, Portsmouth. Portsmouth. Barracks, Naval

When Surgeon Lieutenant Gallwey Gallwey Lieutenant Surgeon When

On Friday 3rd March 1961, the the 1961, March 3rd Friday On

mouth and Surgeon Lieutenant Lieutenant Surgeon and mouth

of the Royal Naval Barracks, Ports- Barracks, Naval Royal the of

piration until medical assistance assistance medical until piration

arrived. arrived.

Vernon, Vernon,

and continued nose-to-mouth res- nose-to-mouth continued and

another diver, took over from him him from over took diver, another

leading Seaman Tyzack of H.M.S. H.M.S. of Tyzack Seaman leading

Petty Officer Hills, acting on his own own his on acting Hills, Officer Petty

he sustained until exhausted when when exhausted until sustained he

initiative, immediately began apply- began immediately initiative,

ing nose-to-mouth respiration, which which respiration, nose-to-mouth ing

Petty Officer Hills of H.M.S. H.M.S. of Hills Officer Petty

the surface. The diver was uncon- was diver The surface. the

scious when brought inboard and and inboard brought when scious

ing out this operation, was largely largely was operation, this out ing

responsible for the emergency action action emergency the for responsible

taken to bring the diver promptly to to promptly diver the bring to taken

who was supervising the divers carry- divers the supervising was who

fouled and his mask was displaced. displaced. was mask his and fouled Londonderry, Londonderry,

Tidal Basin at Portsmouth, became became Portsmouth, at Basin Tidal

in a diving operation on H.M.S. H.M.S. on operation diving a in

lifeline of a diver, who was engaged engaged was who diver, a of lifeline

Seaman (C.D.2), H.M.S. 'Vernon'. 'Vernon'. H.M.S. (C.D.2), Seaman

Officer (C.D.1), H.M.S. 'Vernon'. 'Vernon'. H.M.S. (C.D.1), Officer

Tyzack, D . W. , P/JX 898422, Leading Leading 898422, P/JX , W. . D Tyzack,

Hills, D. R., P/JX 292856, Petty Petty 292856, P/JX R., D. Hills,

M.B., Ch.B., Royal Navy, H.M.S. H.M.S. Navy, Royal Ch.B., M.B.,

Surgeon Lieutenant A. E. Wightman, Wightman, E. A. Lieutenant Surgeon

M.B., ChB., Royal Navy, Royal Royal Navy, Royal ChB., M.B.,

Surgeon Lieutenant J. M. D. Gallwey, Gallwey, D. M. J. Lieutenant Surgeon

components being common Diver's Diver's common being components

mental Clearance Diving Unit divers. divers. Unit Diving Clearance mental

vice generally, but with most of the the of most with but generally, vice

the Buddy Line Phone gets into ser- into gets Phone Line Buddy the proving extremely useful to Experi- to useful extremely proving

It will inevitably be some time before before time some be inevitably will It I I

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

this this

e. e.

antici- antici-

to him. him. to

of of

nod is is nod

or trans- or

v v

trial trial

Npouk Npouk

to *Witching. *Witching. to

mown mown

0110 NUI NUI 0110

CO1111(1(10 CO1111(1(10

NOTE.—It is is NOTE.—It

The equipment is worn in much much in worn is equipment The

At the moment moment the At

The controlling diver, i.e., the one one the i.e., diver, controlling The

rig. Those divers who normally talk talk normally who divers Those rig. pated that the amplifier unit can be be can unit amplifier the that pated

made much smaller. smaller. much made

on the arm. The bone conductor conductor bone The arm. the on

the same way as the buddy line line buddy the as way same the transceivers are tucked under the the under tucked are transceivers

diver carries the amplifier on his suit suit his on amplifier the carries diver out of the back of their heads will be be will heads their of back the of out

hood or mask as for the D.U.C.S. D.U.C.S. the for as mask or hood it is somewhat too heavy to be held held be to heavy too somewhat is it

inflation belt because at the moment moment the at because belt inflation delighted to know that the trans- the that know to delighted

system except that the controlling controlling the that except system

ceivers work very well from that that from well very work ceivers

`press to talk' switch to to switch talk' to `press

`buddy' at all times hut must wake a a wake must hut times all at `buddy'

mit without recourso recourso without mit

release is only provided on one diver diver one on provided only is release

equipment IN tinder tinder IN equipment

with the amplifier, can hear his his hear can amplifier, the with

The other diver can can diver other The

location also. At the moment quick quick moment the At also. location

as this is thought to be adequat be to thought is this as

—4 —4

batteries, on/off and press to to press and on/off batteries,

Buddy Line arm band. band. arm Line Buddy

Bone conductor units, one for for one units, conductor Bone

Courlene Buddy Line with spring spring with Line Buddy Courlene

Amplifier case complete with with complete case Amplifier

each diver. diver. each

speak switches with waist belt. belt. waist with switches speak

clip for quick release. release. quick for clip

The equipment consists of the the of consists equipment The

Payne and Noad were given this this given were Noad and Payne

merely hope that it will make for for make will it that hope merely

Flying Instructors, which is to inflict inflict to is which Instructors, Flying

rather than rely on what might be be might what on rely than rather

will not take on the advice given to to given advice the on take not will produced an answer. We don't don't We answer. an produced

taken for rude gestures. Messrs. Messrs. gestures. rude for taken is to be hoped that Diving Instructors Instructors Diving that hoped be to is problem, to which they speedily speedily they which to problem,

greater diving efficiency. Further, it it Further, efficiency. diving greater

pupil. Those who have suffered know know suffered have who Those pupil. claim that this concept is original but but original is concept this that claim

too well what painful interpretation interpretation painful what well too

a 'constant patter' on the unfortunate unfortunate the on patter' 'constant a can be given to this advice. advice. this to given be can

equipment useful, and enable the two two the enable and useful, equipment

swimmers to speak to one another another one to speak to swimmers

illustrated in the photograph. photograph. the in illustrated

following components which are are which components following

(c) (c)

(a) (a)

(b) (b) (d) (d) www.mcdoa.org.uk

Editor's Note This article was published in the R. N.S.S. Journal in 1952 and is re- produced here by kind permission of the author and the editor of the 'Royal Quality Counts Naval Scientific Journal'. Whereas science has moved on in the intervening period and concepts have changed in minor detail, the information contained herein is basically at Bernards correct and should prove of wide interest. With Civilian clothes as well as with uniforms the high quality A Supersonic Regulator for Divers' of Bernard Tailoring is beyoud dispute. Breathing Equipment For Bernards choose only cloths certain to give satisfaction by P. F. PAYNE, Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit while the standard of tailoring and meticulous Introduction ascent and the gas is then liberated attention to every detail in cutting and fitting This article describes the design from his bloodstream at a safe rate. ensures Perfection in Craftsmanship. and use of a most simple, robust and The diver can of course descend to his work very rapidly. The oxygen There is a comprehensive range of Men's reliable device for metering to a diver, as he increases his depth under breathed does not cause bends and Wear at all Bernard Branches whereby most water, an absolutely constant mass of so we can reduce the time spent on customers may immediately obtain a perfect fit, life-sustaining gas. It relies, for its stops by increasing the oxygen and reducing the nitrogen content of his but where orders for Tailored to Measure performance, on maintaining a small diameter column of gas at the velocity breathing mixture. clothes are required Bernards provide a splendid of sound. The time spent on stops increases selection of patterns and a prompt delivery of with both depth and time on bottom. Summary of Elementary Theory of orders. As an example, after spending one Breathing Mixture hour at 82 ft., breathing air in a A credit account settled through Admiralty, In the standard diving dress the standard dress, the returning diver diver is fed with air by a pipe from the must make a stop of 9 minutes at Banker's Order or the Post Office Savings surface, and a high flow-rate is 20 ft. and another of 18 minutes at Bank may be commenced where it is not maintained through the helmet to 10 ft. Thus the total time on stops desired to pay cash and full details of this sweep away the carbon dioxide is 27 minutes. Making the same dive exhaled by the diver. As air is with a self-contained breathing set facility will gladly be given on request at a composed of 21% oxygen he has at giving a 60% oxygen/40% nitrogen Branch or to Head Office. all times an ample supply of oxygen. mixture, the diver need make only Stops one stop of 5 minutes at 10 ft. The remainder of the air of course Self-contained Gear is mainly nitrogen, which at depth is Self-contained diving gear is of two absorbed into the diver's blood- general types. The soft hood type in C. H. BERNARD & SONS LTD stream and tissues so that he becomes which the diver breathes from a virtually like a bottle of soda water mask connected to a flexible breath- 6 - 8 QUEEN STREET, PORTSMOUTH, HANTS and if he comes up quickly from a ing bag, and the rigid helmet type Telephone 23535 great depth he gets a 'Bend'. This similar to the standard pipe-fed gear. is when bubbles of absorbed nitrogen Both self-contained sets are similar in are liberated from the bloodstream that the breathing mixture is carried Head Office: ANGLIA HOUSE, HARWICH, ESSEX Telephoiu• HBO and settle in the joints causing great by the diver in high pressure cylinders pain. In very bad cases these gas and automatically metered to him. and at 30 Branches at Home and Abroad bubbles can lodge in the heart with The mixture is breathed on a closed fatal results. We overcome this circuit through a canister filled with danger by having the diver make soda lime to absorb the exhaled `Stops' at various points during the carbon dioxide. Circulation is — 6 • -- 7 — www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk pressure does not increase at the same it reaches the acoustic-velocity sec- effected either by the diver's breath- minute flow may he used with con- rate as the water pressure. tion, will make no further headway. ing or by an injector operated by the sequently doubled endurance. Most of these reducers deliver over Therefore the gas flow in and above incoming mixture. 50% surplus gas at some depth the orifice will remain unaffected by As the diver consumes the same pressure changes below. Using an Both systems have an adjustable mass of oxygen at any depth so the which is very wasteful and inciden- tally upsets the composition of the uncompensated reducer to feed the outlet valve to release the surplus ideal mixture metering system should jet, so that it is unaffected by outside mixture from the breathing circuit. deliver at constant mass to all depths. carefully calculated breathing mix- ture. pressure, the conditions in the jet will The weight of oxygen used up by Performances of Existing Reducing the diver depends entirely on his Valves rate of performing work and is inde- pendent of depth. His oxygen con- It is a difficult problem to maintain sumption at the surface is .25 litres a constant gas flow against the widely per minute when resting, increasing varying pressures met with. Most to 2 litres per minute during periods sets use a pressure-reducing valve of hard work. An almost equal connected to the cylinders which are volume of carbon dioxide is exhaled. charged to 2,000 lb./sq. in. or so. This reducer delivers the gas at I UNCOMPENSATED Thus it would seem that if we fed 50-200 lb/sq. in. to a jet or adjustable the diver with 2 litres per minute of 2 HYDROSTATICALLY orifice which meters the gas to the COMPENSATED pure oxygen it would meet all his flow required at the surface. requirements, and this is what we 3 TWO STAGE do for diving in depths to 33 ft. But For diving in shallow water a 4 ACOUSTIC JET oxygen is toxic if breathed at simple uncompensated reducer is pressure greater than 2 atmospheres often used, and this gives a falling 50 100 absolute and can cause convultions, mass flow with increase in depth. DEPTH IN FEET so for depths below 33 ft. we use For normal diving a hydrostatically mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen. compensated reducer is generally The worst feature of this varying remain stable and it will deliver an When the diver is resting the used. In this the sea water is admitted flow is that a set which has an endur- absolutely constant mass-flow in spite oxygen content of his breathing mix- to one side of the diaphragm with the ance of an hour at the surface falls of varying water pressure. Only at ture will be high and during a spell effect that the reducer delivers at a to say 35 minutes at 90 ft. and maybe the depth where water pressure of hard work it will be low. The per- constant pressure above the sur- increases to 50 minutes at 120 ft. reaches about 60% of the reducer centages of oxygen and nitrogen in rounding water pressure. The result Thus the diver has to consult a chart pressure (both absolute), and the his cylinders and the rate of flow must of this is to give a rising mass flow to find what the endurance of his volume of 'pressure-gas' becomes too be calculated so that he does not with increase in depth. set will be on a given dive, and small to maintain flow at the speed suffer from oxygen poisoning when Another method sometimes used because of the times spent on stops of sound, will this constant flow fall resting, yet during a spell of hard is a two-stage reducer with the first at different depths he is never quite off. work his breathing mixture must not stage uncompensated and the second sure exactly how long his mixture By suitable selection of orifice and fall below 20% oxygen or loss of stage hydrostatically compensated. will last. So he is rather wary of consciousness may result. This gives the rising mass flow of a pressure we can maintain any re- working to the full capacity of his quired flow to any depth. The orifice To obtain the greatest endurance compensated reducer until at some cylinders. It can be seen that a depth the second stage pressure is should ideally be convergent, but in from the set we must use the greatest method of ensuring constant mass- practice we get good results with percentage of oxygen permissible at increased to that of the first stage. flow at all depths would materially The second stage valve then stays straight drilled jets. The parallel the depths dived, and the smallest increase the performance of self- section must be long enough to safe flow. For diving to 140ft., 38.2% wide open and the reducer operates contained diving gear. on the first stage only. From this accelerate the gas flow to the speed oxygen is permissible in the breathing Design Basis of 'Acoustic Jet' of sound and lengths of .03 in. or mixture, and a 40% oxygen/60% depth on it has the falling mass characteristic of an uncompensated If we pass the gas through an .06 in. work well for the sizes of nitrogen mixture in the cylinders jets we normally use. As a concession gives this with 8 litres per minute reducer. orifice at or above the speed of sound then any pressure change to streamlining we use a chamfered flow to meet the diver's maximum Probably the best of these reducers entry. demands. If diving to not more than is the type in which the water pressure below the jet, transmitted up the gas 82 ft. then a 60% oxygen/40% is allowed to act on only part of the column at the speed of sound until Orifices of adjustable area can be notrogen mixture on 4 litres per diaphragm area and thus the delivery — 9 —

— s— www.mcdoa.org.uk

www.mcdoa.org.uk used but it is usually simpler to have The pressures are best determined the separate cylinders carried by The applications of the device in a fixed jet with an adjustable reducer. experimentally to obtain the desired divers in self-contained breathing diving equipment form the subject of The jet sizes can be calculated very flows through the calculated jet, and apparatus. an Admiralty patent taken out in the accurately as follows:- Find the will be found to be about 1'; times name of the author. flow of pressure-gas required at the the absolute water pressure at maxi- maximum diving depth. Use a jet mum depth. of such cross sectional area that it TABLE 2 passes this volume of pressure-gas Test Results at the speed of sound. From the Results of original flow tests on an Flow figures, in litres/minute of 'free air' for various reducer pressures and simple relation of Volume = Velocity `acoustic jet', 0.10 in. diameter and various depths of water. X Area, we find that a .010 in. .05 in. long, are shown in Table 2, diameter jet will pass 1 litre per Reducer pressure (lb /sq. in. above atmospheric) minute of gas at the speed of sound. Conclusions From this figure all our jets can be This device offers a great improve- 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 quickly calculated (Table 1). ment in performance over the prey- 0 2.2 3.2 4.05 5 5.85 6.75 7.8 8.85 9.7 10 I TABLE I 20 30 40 2.2 60% 40% 50 215 100% oxygen oxygen 60 1.9 Mixture oxygen 40% 60% 70 1.7 3.2 nitrogen nitrogen 80 1.3 315 90 I 3 Maximum safe depth (ft.) . . 33 82 140 100 2.8 4.05 110 2.5 4 Required flow of 'free' gas 120 2 3.85 130 1.65 3.5 5 (litres/minute) .. .. 2 4 8 ) 140 1 3.2 4.95 Required flow of 'pressure-gas' ter 150 2.8 4.8 160 4.55 5 85 at maximum depth (Litres/ wa minute) .. .. .. POO 115 1.52 lt 170 4.25 5.75 180 3.75 5.6 (sa Diameter of jet to pass required t 190 3.25 5.35 6.75 200 2.7 5.1 6.65 flow at sonic speed (in.) .0100 .0105 .0125 fee 210 4.75 6.5

h in 220 4.3 6.3 7. 8 t 230 6.05 7.7

These three jet sizes do not differ iously used systems, and also has the Dep 240 5.85 7.6 widely and so in a set using these advantage of great simplicity. 250 5.5 74 8.85 260 715 8.75 three mixtures we can compromise 270 6.8 8.6 on a •0105 in. or .011 in. diameter An interesting incidental use is in the calibration of flow-meters under 280 6.5 8.4 9.7 jet, varying the pressure to get the 290 61 8.25 9.6 three flow rates. Then the 8 litres per pressure. Previously we found this 300 5.8 8 9.5 minute flow will maintain constant a difficult and not too accurate 310 7.7 9.35 operation, but now, with a constant 320 7.3 9.1 mass to well beyond the 140 ft. 330 6.85 8.9 required; the 4 litres per minute flow mass gas supply, we can calibrate 340 6.3 8.7 will be satisfactory to 82 ft.; and the instruments quickly and accur- 350 6 8.3 there will be a slight drop on the 2 ately. 360 8 litres per minute flow at 33 ft., but Experimental work is proceeding Calculated this is not important, as with pure on the use of the device for accurately maximum oxygen the flow-rate affects only the mixing two gases from bulk storage, depth for constant volume of the breathing gas and not as for example in the preparation of flow (feet) 40 73 101 132 160 190 224 259 287 its composition, and the 2 litres per oxygen-helium mixtures for deep- minute flow-rate is some-what gen- . diving use, and also for the mixing of erous. oxygen and nitrogen (or air) from - 10 -

www.mcdoa.org.uk

The The

Penguine. Penguine.

L.S. Morton (Diver 2); 2); (Diver Morton L.S.

L.S. Rees (Diver 2); 2); (Diver Rees L.S.

P.O. Robbins (Diver 1); 1); (Diver Robbins P.O. Sherpa Shennan (Diver 2). At the the At 2). (Diver Shennan Sherpa

Lieutenant Delaney (i/c); (i/c); Delaney Lieutenant

C.P.O. Bryant (S.D.I.) To be be To (S.D.I.) Bryant C.P.O.

At the time of writing the team is: is: team the writing of time the At

That's about all the news so far. far. so news the all about That's

We left appreciating the excellent excellent the appreciating left We

A good opportunity to view 'arm- view to opportunity good A

The team, hoping to share the the share to hoping team, The

Two trips have been made to to made been have trips Two

The Government of Malta re- Malta of Government The

Occasionally the Fleet Diving Diving Fleet the Occasionally

time of sending this, his B13 is in in is B13 his this, sending of time

ship. ship.

Lock at the F.D.C. Malta; Malta; F.D.C. the at Lock

July. C.P.O. Bryant relieving C.P.O. C.P.O. relieving Bryant C.P.O. July.

relieved by P.O. Bolton (Diver 1) in in 1) (Diver Bolton P.O. by relieved

We are all sad to hear of the deaths deaths the of hear to sad all are We

British is Best! Best! is British

but nevertheless with a feeling that that feeling a with nevertheless but

of Sam Spencer and Chippy Sothcott. Sothcott. Chippy and Spencer Sam of

hospitality that had been afforded us us afforded been had that hospitality

them. them.

did a 'run' in their Rescue Bell after after Bell Rescue their in 'run' a did

affecting a few minor repairs for for repairs minor few a affecting following day 'Ginger' and 'Shan' 'Shan' and 'Ginger' day following

trip in the U.S.S. U.S.S. the in trip

chair' diving was provided by a day- a by provided was diving chair'

land. land.

`run ashore', were dismayed to find find to dismayed were ashore', `run and sand stretching into the hither- the into stretching sand and

at Mersa El Brega, only a few tents tents few a only Brega, El Mersa at

pleasures of the local hostelries on a a on hostelries local the of pleasures

pontoons. pontoons.

leaks, and surveying large concrete concrete large surveying and leaks, moorings, repairing main oil-pipe oil-pipe main repairing moorings,

Mersa El Brega and Benghazi to to Benghazi and Brega El Mersa

assist Esso Products with relaying relaying with Products Esso assist

operating experience. experience. operating

piles, besides providing us with good good with us providing besides piles,

when cutting through solid 8in. steel steel 8in. solid through cutting when

The Seafire served us with distinction distinction with us served Seafire The

quested the use of the team for dis- for team the of use the quested

mantling the old Sliema Ferry Jetty. Jetty. Ferry Sliema old the mantling

Water Divers classes. classes. Divers Water

qualify their overflow of Shallow Shallow of overflow their qualify

Centre call for our assistance to help help to assistance our for call Centre

13 13

to to

Forth—

Narvik Narvik

Narvik II. II. Narvik

News from H.M.S. 'Narvik' 'Narvik' H.M.S. from News

Narvik. Narvik.

UE to an earlier decision by by decision earlier an to UE the Admiralty, a familiar land- familiar a Admiralty, the

The Lords Commissioners of of Commissioners Lords The

One operation which is now done done now is which operation One

The 'doings' of the Submarines and and Submarines the of 'doings' The

At the end of January, part of the the of part January, of end the At

A new 'Charge in the Banks', a a Banks', the in 'Charge new A

Late in December 'Ginger' Bryant Bryant 'Ginger' December in Late

The divers were given a stone stone a given were divers The

It will be appreciated, as a result result a as appreciated, be will It

She was replaced by the converted converted the by replaced was She

eners on the hulls of submarines. submarines. of hulls the on eners Nature's underwater landscape gard- landscape underwater Nature's

mill' jobs. jobs. mill'

as a matter of course is the destruct- the is course of matter a as ion of the work performed by by performed work the of ion

Minesweepers keep the team fully fully team the keep Minesweepers

Rome, and it must be recorded that that recorded be must it and Rome,

employed with the usual 'run of the the of 'run usual the with employed

fullest capacity. capacity. fullest the 'a la Carte' was sampled to its its to sampled was Carte' la 'a the

taste the pleasures of Genoa and and Genoa of pleasures the taste

diving team set forth in in forth set team diving union was beginning to be felt. felt. be to beginning was union

were halted, as the wrath of the local local the of wrath the as halted, were

room. After this further A. and A's A's and A. further this After room.

outside workbench, outside bottle bottle outside workbench, outside water, electricity, portable 25 foot foot 25 portable electricity, water,

store and a compressor charging charging compressor a and store

fresh phase of 'Acquire first and ask ask and first 'Acquire of phase fresh

afterwards' provided us with fresh fresh with us provided afterwards'

of place!) took office. office. took place!) of

(feeling, one must think, slightly out out slightly think, must one (feeling,

strike' every time it rained. rained. it time every strike'

duckboard, and roof that went 'on 'on went that roof and duckboard,

hutment — with bulkheads like like bulkheads with — hutment

taken over and renamed renamed and over taken

which is expected. T.E.O. jetty was was jetty T.E.O. expected. is which

sweeping Squadron in the manner manner the in Squadron sweeping Submarine Division and 108th Mine- 108th and Division Submarine

that are required to keep the 5th 5th the keep to required are that

numerous workshops and stores, etc. etc. stores, and workshops numerous

of this changeover, accommodation accommodation changeover, this of L.S.T. L.S.T.

had to be found elsewhere for the the for elsewhere found be to had

known affectionately as 'MUM'. 'MUM'. as affectionately known

H.M. Submarine Depot Ship Ship Depot Submarine H.M.

Kingdom in October 1961. Namely Namely 1961. October in Kingdom

mark of Malta sailed for the United United the for sailed Malta of mark D

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1 1

12 12

taste taste

better better PLAYER'S PLAYER'S www.mcdoa.org.uk

The Guardian of Horsea Island rained down on our phlegmatic four seized him by the lower bands, so legged friend, all to no avail. He to speak, and hurled poor Jan into by LIEUTENANT WALKER, R.N. stayed, monarch of all he surveyed, the lake. Sam, hearing the hulla- until he met up with Sam. balloo, dashed out, took one look, OME few years ago, whilst Code. (The majority of them had and dived to the rescue fully booted carrying out the duties of Chief Now Chief Hum was a man of no never even heard of it anyway). mean stature, and was sure of one and spurred. By this time, poor old SDiver at Horsea Island, 'Ginger' Alas, the improvement in local road thing at least. He was going to be in Jan was well down by the bows (a Bryant procured unto himself a goat safety was of only temporary dur- natural phenomenon in goats) rap- of very tender vintage. charge, not Jan, and for an uneasy ation, for Jan was quickly captured, period, near calm reigned at Horsea. idly running out of, oxygen, and Having received the dubious bene- and, with horns muffled and hooves Chief was sure he had established showing progressively less inclin- fits of a certain type of operation at the highport; he was swiftly friendly relations with the goat. But ation to take an interest in life. (more coarsely described as 'being returned to Horsea Island. it was a false friendship, as you will Chiefs' flying dive was non too soon. doctored'), 'Ginger's' pet rapidly grew As time passed, responsibility for appreciate. Firmly gripping Jan by a horn and to giant proportions; which naturally leg, he managed to get the luckless Jan's welfare was transferred from One day, literally caught bending, invoked the respect and caution of all Chief Diver to Chief Diver, being animal onto the jetty. with whom he came in contact. Sam was lifted over the hedge with accepted more and more grudgingly, the aid of Jan's powerful horns. The Salvaging a heavily waterlogged Victualled by, domiciled with and in direct proportion to the increase ensuing few minutes were more than goat, had roused chief's ire; and as carried on the strength of the diving in instability of the said goats behaviour. hectic. With a roar, Big Sam burst soon as he was clear of the water, the section, the goat became an integral through the hedge and, at flank miscreants were 'fell in' and every part of 'Life at Horsea', and thereby Likewise, as time passed, so the speed, chased the goat down the one of them' had his horoscope read', hangs a tale. reports of adventures, cases of near road way for over two hundred then the whole lot were despatched As the years passed, Jan, (for that mayhem, injuries, scares, etc., relat- yards, every other step giving Jan a on the circumnavigation of the was the goat's name) became more ing to Jan, filtered through to the boost in speed with the aid of a well island. Meanwhile Sam persuaded and more of an institution, albeit one outside world. placed size ten clog (which Sam the bedraggled and very subdued with dubious, and oft times danger- The group of young Sub-Lieuten- wore). Two in number diving in- goat to pump out double bottoms, ous principles. ants, who, after a day at Horsea, structors, who witnessed the incident and resume a somewhat shaky Of independent nature and forceful returned ashen faced and much sub- swore that chief was breathing pure perambulation of the immediate character, Jan bowed to no man — dued, murmering vaguely of a horned helium, for the air was blue around vicinity. except in the execution of a singularly monster among the bushes, etc. him. After this display of authority by chief, there was a further period Many, to6, were the occasions painful manouvre, which brought his Long Course T.A.S. (humorously when, on classes first arriving on the of uneasy calm, with Jan keeping his large horns in contact with the stern scornful of previous reports) full of Island Jan saw fit to disperse them, distance; although he was seen to of some unsuspecting and luckless dignity befitting their station of life, prior to any official order being given, individual. A move which happened changed in a moment, from a well watch Sam with a contemplative eye. No respector of persons, rank, or only too often. disciplined body of men, to a widely Meanwhile the goat stuck to normal creed, this overgrown beatnik of a scattered group under 'independent routine, vis, yaffling the odd hood, Interest was always fully main- goat became the despair of all. command', hastily revised their ideas fin, suit leg, medal ribbons from Imagine the embarrassment of the tained in his whereabouts, of which jackets, R.A. members bag meals, regarding the animals capabilities, young 'fly boy' lieutenant, heading one could never be certain, the etc. etc. whole island being his domain — for the tea hut with his swimsuit Albeit, his temper must have been and he wasn't averse to the odd trip The dockyard matey, who having down around his waist; suddenly to mixed some cement for a job, re- sorely tried on occasions, for he was be hauled up .short with Jan eating across the footbridge to the main- tormented often by the 'character' land. On one occasion, Jan literally turned from his tea break to find his sleeve, and halfway up to the in every class who came to Horsea. `controlled' the traffic in the main Jan 'cleaning the plate'. The look of shoulder joint. Shying away from road, near H.M.S. Phoenix, amazement and disbelief on the poor Friendly moves such as hosing him the hairy monster, he backed up to bringing down with the freshwater hose, consternation and near panic to a chap's face had to be seen to be the wall, only to have Jan rear up on mass of dockyard cyclists, home- appreciated. didn't exactly improve his temper. his hind legs, forepaws (or is it ward bound. The final straw, as far as chief was hooves) on his shoulders, licking the (Jan is surely the only goat to have concerned at least, was the initiation He must be the only animal ever to a reinforced concrete stomach?) haircream off his boyish locks. Even of Jan to diving. a 'trick cyclist' on the old scale of compel such a group to quite literally So it went on, incident after A group of clots, deciding to give pay, married, with no children, conform with rule 60 of the Highway incident; many were the curses the goat his first 'nought to plenty', would have found it more than — 14 www.mcdoa.org.uk — 15 —

SIR HOOK. HOOK. SIR

under Lt. N. N. Lt. under

Vernon Vernon

enjoy oneself in this this in oneself enjoy

team of Standard Divers Divers Standard of team

and and

Copyright. Copyright.

Number of wet dives performed — performed dives wet of Number

Reclaim's Reclaim's

It is sometimes a little difficult to to difficult little a sometimes is It

His departure was duly noted in in noted duly was departure His

`Reclaim' `Reclaim'

lasting a total of 35 hours 19 minutes. minutes. 19 hours 35 of total a lasting

10 bends requiring recompression recompression requiring bends 10

The best day's diving saw 12 dives dives 12 saw diving day's best The

minutes or 366 hours 35 minutes. minutes. 35 hours 366 or minutes

total time in the water of 21,995 21,995 of water the in time total

136 in 21 working days which is a a is which days working 21 in 136

point some statistics are now quoted quoted now are statistics some point

E.C.D.U. from from E.C.D.U.

Navy. In an attempt to prove the the prove to attempt an In Navy.

can speak for themselves : : themselves for speak can

Apparently it is possible to steam steam to possible is it Apparently L. Merrick and P.O. Tom King. King. Tom P.O. and Merrick L.

work hard hard work

returned for a few days. We heard heard We days. few a for returned

that there was at least one long face face long one least at was there that

for a change. change. a for

(as supplied by Nutty Carr) and they they and Carr) Nutty by supplied (as

convince people that it is possible to to possible is it that people convince

and his lads were reinforced by by reinforced were lads his and cork. Surgeon Lt. Cdr. Eric Mackay Mackay Eric Cdr. Lt. Surgeon cork.

in A.E.D.U., B.F. had to stay behind behind stay to had B.F. A.E.D.U., in

the first time — Sub-Lt. Nutty Carr Carr Nutty Sub-Lt. — time first the

for the antiquated gear! Chief Powis Powis Chief gear! antiquated the for

from R.N.P.L. flew out later on and and on later out flew R.N.P.L. from

this duration (about three hours). hours). three (about duration this

the only practicable one for dives of of dives for one practicable only the

and he makes no secret of his dislike dislike his of secret no makes he and

is used throughout and at present is is present at and throughout used is

joined the ship at Gib. when she she when Gib. at ship the joined

is now under the charge of a C.D. for for C.D. a of charge the under now is

deeper depth is not employed and as as and employed not is depth deeper

ascent are necessary. Standard gear gear Standard necessary. are ascent

time keeping and regular rates of of rates regular and keeping time

of choosing the Tables for the next next the for Tables the choosing of a consequence, very accurate depth, depth, accurate very consequence, a

Island', was closed. closed. was Island',

and realistically, the safety measure measure safety the realistically, and

of 'Jan the goat, Guardian of Horsea Horsea of Guardian goat, the 'Jan of

the diving section log, and the saga saga the and log, section diving the

not too far from Horsea Island. Island. Horsea from far too not

WRAY WRAY

—17- —17-

DOC DOC

by by

Reclaim Reclaim

News from from News

Forth after what must be one of of one be must what after Forth

returned to her base on the the on base her to returned

T the end of March, March, of end the T

Why the Canary Islands? For For Islands? Canary the Why

A word of explanation on the the on explanation of word A

Although we have said farewell to to farewell said have we Although

was necessary to test the Tables fully fully Tables the test to necessary was

have had trouble with bends. As it it As bends. with trouble had have know which Table is better, especi- better, is Table which know

by making the stoppages multiples multiples stoppages the making by

accepted the American version and and version American the accepted

of five minutes. We are anxious to to anxious are We minutes. five of

ally as many N.A.T.O. countries have have countries N.A.T.O. many as ally

been modified to suit our practice, practice, our suit to modified been

the latest American Table which has has which Table American latest the

`schedule', i.e. a given depth for a a for depth given a i.e. `schedule', encountered carefully recorded. In In recorded. carefully encountered

bends on a given decompression decompression given a on bends performing at least 10 dives on each each on dives 10 least at performing table. table.

addition, similar dives are done on on done are dives similar addition,

trials. The British Table is tested by by tested is Table British The trials.

given time, and the number of bends bends of number the and time, given

nificant effect upon the incidence of of incidence the upon effect nificant discover if temperature had a sig- a had temperature if discover

a lethal disease! disease! lethal a

after all, T.A.S. poisoning is not such such not is poisoning T.A.S. all, after

do a series of dives in water warmer warmer water in dives of series a do

answered any of her critics. Perhaps, Perhaps, critics. her of any answered

some years R.N.P.L. has wanted to to wanted has R.N.P.L. years some

than that found around Britain, to to Britain, around found that than

diving performed and more than than more and performed diving

a great deal of valuable experimental experimental valuable of deal great a

three months just spent in visiting visiting in spent just months three

Tenerife in the Canary Islands saw saw Islands Canary the in Tenerife

demise of oxy-helium diving, but the the but diving, oxy-helium of demise

diving is concerned, she is admittedly admittedly is she concerned, is diving

the most satisfying terms since her her since terms satisfying most the

somewhat emasculated following the the following emasculated somewhat

commission in 1948. As far as as far As 1948. in commission

through the window, placidly nibb- placidly window, the through

happily whiling away his remaining remaining his away whiling happily

him, it is understood that Jan is is Jan that understood is it him, years in pastures new, a farm situated situated farm a new, pastures in years

started off, we had a last sight of Jan Jan of sight last a had we off, started

A

ling away at the tyre. tyre. the at away ling

ac-

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

enthusiastically enthusiastically

with the suggestion that that suggestion the with

Game to the last, the old devil devil old the last, the to Game

Vernon, Vernon,

Contact was made with the local local the with made was Contact

Whilst being being Whilst

Regarding the unfortunate animal, animal, unfortunate the Regarding

back to base quick, while I still still I while quick, base to back

have a van to do so', As the vehicle vehicle the As so', do to van a have

%limey. I had better get this B B this get better had I %limey.

his seat behind the wheel, muttering, muttering, wheel, the behind seat his

door, locked it, and scrambled into into scrambled and it, locked door,

driver took one look, slammed the the slammed look, one took driver

the tread off the spare wheel. The The wheel. spare the off tread the

two seconds before he was nibbling nibbling was he before seconds two

hadn't been in the back of the van van the of back the in been hadn't

banquet for Jan. Jan. for banquet

hard (washing soap). Contributions Contributions soap). (washing hard made by all and sundry as a parting parting a as sundry and all by made

bag relief diaphrams, egg shell, one one shell, egg diaphrams, relief bag

sliced loaf and a half bar of pussers pussers of bar half a and loaf sliced

chalk, paper, sand, two old pattern pattern old two sand, paper, chalk,

goat was having the feed of his life; life; his of feed the having was goat

the prisoner. In the meantime, our our meantime, the In prisoner. the

branch of the Blue Cross Society, Society, Cross Blue the of branch

who sent up a small enclosed van for for van enclosed small a up sent who

So, to coin a phrase, poor old Jan's Jan's old poor phrase, a coin to So,

goose was cooked. cooked. was goose

Technological Underwater Warfare. Warfare. Underwater Technological

futuristic for the R.N. College of of College R.N. the for futuristic

the proposal was considered too too considered was proposal the

cepted by the heirarchy of the branch, branch, the of heirarchy the by cepted

Divisions, as THE DIVERS' MAS- DIVERS' THE as Divisions,

COT. COT.

blanket, and introduced to the public public the to introduced and blanket,

with an appropriate 'dress suit' suit' 'dress appropriate an with

in in

at large during the following Friday Friday following the during large at

our goat should be groomed, fitted fitted groomed, be should goat our

ye loiter'. loiter'. ye certain members of the 'Top Brass' Brass' 'Top the of members certain

contact was initially made with with made initially was contact

pearls of wisdom which were offered offered were which wisdom of pearls

him with the pick; 'Tarry not, lest lest not, 'Tarry pick; the with him

in the extreme, as he accepted the the accepted he as extreme, the in

kindly allowed him to use. Needless Needless use. to him allowed kindly

to say, Pearson's recovery was rapid rapid was recovery Pearson's say, to

with the aid of a pick, which Sir very very Sir which pick, a of aid the with

encouraged him to exercise his hand hand his exercise to him encouraged

in the divers welfare, Sir Hook Hook Sir welfare, divers the in

Horsea 'labour force', to wit Pearson Pearson wit to force', 'labour Horsea

was put 'light duty'. A firm believer believer firm A duty'. 'light put was

result of temporary curtailing the the curtailing temporary of result

-16— -16—

This little episode not only decided decided only not episode little This

Able Seaman Pearson was feeding feeding was Pearson Seaman Able

The second of Jans' friendly efforts efforts friendly Jans' of second The

The writer of this article has also also has article this of writer The

Jans future but had the unfortunate unfortunate the had but future Jans

eventually necessitated fifteen stitches stitches fifteen necessitated eventually

head and Pearsons' hand was jammed jammed was hand Pearsons' and head

looking gash was the result, which which result, the was gash looking

in the Vee of its' horns A murderous murderous A horns its' of Vee the in

him stale bread. Putting his hand out out hand his Putting bread. stale him to pat Jan, the goat reared up its its up reared goat the Jan, pat to

open the hand that fed him. him. fed that hand the open

the goat, quite by accident, ripped ripped accident, by quite goat, the

Hooks endurance was reached, when when reached, was endurance Hooks

four feet high?) The limit of Sir Sir of limit The high?) feet four

the most unlikely places. (How did did (How places. unlikely most the

mess) Jan was a most liberal dispenser dispenser liberal most a was Jan mess) bin proto scrubbed-out a into get it

of the latter, spreading it around in in around it spreading latter, the of

the staff (who had to clean up the the up clean to had (who staff the

for all, and to the daily annoyance of of annoyance daily the to and all, for

with GOAT DUNG. Unfortunately Unfortunately DUNG. GOAT with

the possessor of a badily brused skin skin brused badily a of possessor the

and a suit richly and newly decorated decorated newly and richly suit a and

diving platform; where, on regaining regaining on where, platform; diving

helpless writer found himself to be be to himself found writer helpless

his breath and upright position, your your position, upright and breath his

FOR GOOD. GOOD. FOR

helping him down the steps onto the the onto steps the down him helping

was to render assistance to Sir by by Sir to assistance render to was

certainly have 'kept a level head' — head' level a 'kept have certainly

behind the door; and, as Sir Hook Hook Sir as and, door; the behind

into the drying room. Luckily the the Luckily room. drying the into

drying room door was propped open; open; propped was door room drying

otherwise Sir Hook would most most would Hook Sir otherwise immediate assistance straight across across straight assistance immediate

room, our friend the goat was hiding hiding was goat the friend our room,

The first, on leaving the changing changing the leaving on first, The

appeared he was given direct and and direct given was he appeared

had the benefit of his personal personal his of benefit the had

had his moments with Jan, having having Jan, with moments his had

attention on two distinct occasions. occasions. distinct two on attention

room. Needless to say, that partic- that say, to Needless room.

ular class began the next diving diving next the began class ular

sequence one short. short. one sequence

huge form of Jan away from him, him, from away Jan of form huge and literally flew into the changing changing the into flew literally and

babblings of the poor chap. With a a With chap. poor the of babblings

soul destroying shriek, he flung the the flung he shriek, destroying soul difficult to decipher the immediate immediate the decipher to difficult

I - I

1 1

A--,,

•

IN"( SHINER, SHINER, IN"(

_i _i

‘ , , ‘

Pop Pop

— —

_ _

, ,_\ , , ,_\ ,

...-

Some time was found at weekends weekends at found was time Some

Two old friends of the ship, ship, the of friends old Two

The Captain's policy of anchoring anchoring of policy Captain's The

English and none of us had any any had us of none and English

to do some recreational diving using using diving recreational some do to `poured' aboard his ship back to to back ship his aboard `poured'

Spanish. Spanish.

Powis and supporters. Quite a chap chap a Quite supporters. and Powis

when you consider he spoke no no spoke he consider you when

Spain with full ceremony by Chief Chief by ceremony full with Spain

the Captain when he left and was was and left he when Captain the

S.A.B.A. and C.D.B.A. and this was was this and C.D.B.A. and S.A.B.A.

Chief Diver Rubio joined for this this for joined Rubio Diver Chief third visit to Spanish Waters. Rubio Rubio Waters. Spanish to visit third

was presented with a certificate by by certificate a with presented was

murky British waters. The colours colours The waters. British murky

a revelation to those of us used to the the to used us of those to revelation a

Spanish Naval Divers, Lt. Rios and and Rios Lt. Divers, Naval Spanish

During the stay, the temperature temperature the stay, the During

the Scottish winter. winter. Scottish the

varied between 60 — 85° F. and we we and F. 85° — 60 between varied thought of those at home 'enjoying' 'enjoying' home at those of thought

made. The local beer was very good good very was beer local The made.

possible and many friendships were were friendships many and possible

popular. The Spanish Authorities Authorities Spanish The popular.

and cheap; the Canary wines less so. so. less wines Canary the cheap; and

It is undoubtedly one of the best best the of one undoubtedly is It

and civilians were as helpful as as helpful as were civilians and

off the harbour entrance for diving diving for entrance harbour the off holiday places today and is relatively relatively is and today places holiday

tomatoes to the South of the island. island. the of South the to tomatoes

during the week and coming along- coming and week the during

side at weekends was universally universally was weekends at side

cheap. In a first class hotel, private private hotel, class first a In cheap. vast groves of banana trees and and trees banana of groves vast

was about 12/6 per day. There are are There day. per 12/6 about was

shower and toilet, bed and breakfast breakfast and bed toilet, and shower

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— 19 — — 19 —

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bearing some of the survivors) survivors) the of some bearing

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SCRUFFY SCRUFFY

All of the time was spent at Santa Santa at spent was time the of All

village, now sports a lido and gro- and lido a sports now village, tesque contemporary-styled hotels. hotels. contemporary-styled tesque

Teide Mountain. The tourist trade, trade, tourist The Mountain. Teide volcanic crater at 7,000 feet, dom- feet, 7,000 at crater volcanic

Island — the snow capped 12,000 ft. ft. 12,000 capped snow the — Island

Cruz Cruz hills and lush arable valleys to the the to valleys arable lush and hills

up or down. The scenery is magnific- is scenery The down. or up

lunar-like surface of a fantastic fantastic a of surface lunar-like

The second town of the island, Puerto Puerto island, the of town second The

mainly Europeans and Americans, is is Americans, and Europeans mainly

travel anywhere without either going going either without anywhere travel

de la Cruz, in the past a quiet fishing fishing quiet a past the in Cruz, la de ent, varying from thickly wooded wooded thickly from varying ent,

to and from the refinery. The island island The refinery. the from and to still young but expanding rapidly. rapidly. expanding but young still

inated in turn by the hub of the the of hub the by turn in inated

volcanic in origin. It is impossible to to impossible is It origin. in volcanic

and a brisk stream of large tankers tankers large of stream brisk a and

is roughly 80 miles by 25 miles and and miles 25 by miles 80 roughly is

very busily engaged in exporting exporting in engaged busily very ised mutiny, preceded by the the by preceded mutiny, ised

a splendid busy deep water harbour harbour water deep busy splendid a

came in soon after the much public- much the after soon in came

fruit (mainly bananas and tomatoes), tomatoes), and bananas (mainly fruit Cruz the capital of Tenerife, largest largest Tenerife, of capital the Cruz pleasant were the conditions. conditions. the were pleasant

visiting luxury liners (the (the liners luxury visiting

island in the Canary group. There is is There group. Canary the in island outside air temperature of 80° F. it it F. 80° of temperature air outside

pressed simultaneously, three attend- three simultaneously, pressed were encountered and one hectic hectic one and encountered were

can be easily imagined how un- how imagined easily be can fer under pressure chamber. With an an With chamber. pressure under fer

afternoon saw four dives recom- dives four saw afternoon

ing each other in one pot and the the and pot one in other each ing other with an attendant in the trans- the in attendant an with other

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It was perhaps natural for there to The remains of the wreck were

struction. Several days later when the driver to escape capture, into the airstrip which was then under con- he went to retrieve the stolen booze, he found to his horror that the area

— to this day it remains, somewhere

had been completely concreted over

believing them to be devoid of underneath an acre of two of 18in. An interesting find of course, but remarkable increase. of concrete. under water suddenly showed a

piece of wreckage without completely of the bilges, the divers endurance the days the team were not required exploring the remains. When the are loathe to leave even the smallest from somewhere deep in part of one whisky. for Corporal. After many hours of divers, though of temperate habits,

were at last located — completely first bottle of whisky was unearthed finally abandoned, the authorities be a diving exercise in the area, on fruitless search, the tumbled remains

grown over with thick kelp seaweed.

--- 21

Empire

which ran aground in the

Much of the time between firing

Most people have read Sir

On one occasion a lorry load of

though it must be admitted that the

Diving team were itching to get their

hands on a missile underwater.

evaluation purposes, and diving for fish and scallops. Compton MacKenzie's novel, or of a couple of hundreds of thousands was spent driving the Geminis around in all weathers and conditions for was basically a true story and was about a ship called the S.S. seen the film 'Whisky Galore'. This plete with what whisky the local bow section being towed away com- Sound of Eriskay, South Uist in 1940. of crates of whisky due for shipment Politician The ship carried a cargo, it was said, Islanders failed to get at. So much officers had a tedious, though some- this Highland liquor was dumped by to the North of America. Repeated attempts at salvage resulted in the whisky in bond was taken ashore illegally that the local Customs times hilarious time trying to run the

smugglers and the whisky to earth. www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Happily for the Army, there were

Launching the Gemini at each

formidably high.

venture — the surf often being

no errant missles requiring recovery,

trailer but was by no means a tame

having done a good job of work and firing was simplified by the use of the like to return at some time in the had a splendid run ashore, perhaps on a scale never to be repeated. future. The ship left with a feeling of

that nearly everyone aboard would inviting, but 1 think it is fair to say

20 -

-

LT. G. WOOKEY, M.B.E., R.N.

by

Sequel to 'Whisky Galore'

A Diving team is required at the

The Royal Artillery guided weap- The widening scope of the divers' When the time to leave Tenerife

Fielding.

Able Seamen Crimmons and Pigg.

headed by veteran Sergeant 'Skipper' picture it is to see one fired at night. wheeled trailer and a handling party lucky team appointed were myself, vided, and the Army produced a two of any misguided missiles, and the Two large Gemini craft were pro-

atomic or high explosive headed, is firings for the location and recovery about 75 miles and an impressive

range of the missile, which may be

up to the largest of the medium range

tended to fire a number of improved Corporal missiles, 46 feet in length forms the propellant fuel. Maximum pilot trapped in an aircraft. And now Hebrides was designed to test fire any ons range at South Uist in the Outer and fuming nitric acid when fused, this year's firing season it was in- the latest requirement comes with dangerous mixture of liquid anniline the introduction of test firing of type of guided weapon from the ground to ground weapons. During and weighing 6 tons. A highly

guided weapons. prolonged experimental decompress- ion trials to ejection underwater of a activities was never more evident than it is today — they range from prospect of Easter Leave in U.K. was

small 5 inch Starling booster rocket,

of the fish, rock and weed were places suitable for the trials were arrived, we were ready to go, the

muddy and had little or no visibility.

fascinating. Unfortunately, the www.mcdoa.org.uk second and subsequent bottles were hosts though they were, couldn't On Monday 23rd January the For two days the weather pre- found, you can imagine the excite- have been more helpful, nothing was salvage units sailed from Portland for vented diving operations and both ment ! too much trouble for them, partic- the search area. The wind was South ships and divers were confined to ularly Sergeant Fielding, who I hope Westerly force 4 to 5 and in the ex- harbour. On Thursday, the third As if by magic, the word had got posed salvage area the swell was 10 day, the weather moderated and the around the Island when we beached will be loaned to us for next year's firings' to 12 feet high with a corresponding ships returned to the salvage area. the Gemini, and crowds of curious sea state. On passage to the area the Shoulton again located and marked a onlookers were there whilst we Able Seamen Crimmons and Pigg ships rolled like Glasgow trams, and contact, which the first diver down hitched the trailer bearing the Gemini have returned to the Diving unit at both ship's company and divers had confirmed as the helicopter. Monday to the land rover. It was somewhat Portland, and yours truly to take over occasion to inspect the scuppers. procedure was repeated and a marker difficult to appear nonchalant when the Scottish Command Bomb and Under such weather conditions div- line was secured to the wreck. Two the necks of the bottles were poking Mine Disposal Unit at H.M.S. ing operations would normally have divers then decended with the lifting through the scallops and fish with Lochinvar, whose team now consists been cancelled, but as speed of wire and succeeded in dragging the which we had tried to cover them. of (since May) Lt. G. Wookey, P.O. recovery and the possible future eye of the wire up one side of the One might describe the day's Alderton, Able Seamen Robbie Scott saving of life was the essence of this helicopter, over the top, down the events as a successful towed search and very shortly A.B. Wannerton operation, the Diving Officer decided other side almost under the machine exercise. from Hong Kong. to 'Have a go'. and shackle it to the rotor shaft. All good things come to an end of If ever you should be down At 0900 H.M.S. Shoulton reported This operation, which entailed grop- course, and so it was with this year's Eriskay way, try and get a dip on the and marked a 'contact' and within ing around the wreck in dark, tidal, firing season. The Army, wonderful wreck — most — Hic., interesting. 30 minutes the first diver was on his cold and hazardous conditions for a way down to confirm it. He reported period of 28 minutes, was a very that it was the helicopter and secured creditable accomplishment. C-in- C's Commendation a marker line to it. Two more divers The lifting wire once secured was passed to the Swin and in very quick by FRANKIE were then sent down with a lifting wire with instructions to secure it to time the helicopter was airborne as it N January 1961 a Whirlwind It will be appreciated that the the rotor shaft of the helicopter. The swung from the davit head. The helicopter operating from the success of the operation was entirely two divers reached bottom but while operation was successfully completed IRoyal Naval Base at Portland, dependant on Shoulton's ability to attempting to secure the wire, one of On both days of the operation, crashed into the sea some six miles locate and mark accurately and the divers thought his companions diving was carried out from inflatable South of Portland Bill Light. The quickly. To the divers fell the tasks had passed out and quite correctly dinghies and the recompression crew of three were saved but the of first, confirming obstructions 'snag- brought him to the surface. The chamber in Miner III was used for aircraft sank and was considered a ged' by the Shoulton, and second, of partner had not in fact been in surface decompression. These two total loss. There were no recognised securing the lifting wires to the heli- trouble and protested vociferously items of equipment were essential symptoms for the crash and in the copter once it was located. The but unavailingly. The first attempt for operations on the Monday and interests of helicopter safety, it was conditions in the salvage area did not, had failed but undaunted a fourth made for a more efficient operation considered essential to recover the however, favour diving operations. diver was sent down to secure the on the Thursday. machine and endeavour to find the Except for the slack water period of lifting wite. The tide by this time was While all are congratulated on cause of the engine failure. Orders about 40 minutes each tide, a tidal beginning to run, and although the their part in the operation, special were therefore given to locate and stream of up to 3 knots ran through diver managed to secure the lifting mention has been made of the divers, salvage the helicopter and accord- the area, the underwater visibility wire to one of the helicopter wheels, and three have received a Special ingly the following units were de- was nil, and the chartered depth was he was then forced to surface, the Commendation from the Comman- tailed :— 170 feet. The depth was only 10 feet second attempt had failed. The der-in-Chief, Portsmouth; Leading less than the maximum permitted divers were operating from inflatable Seaman Templeton who carried out H.M.S. Shoulton, Minesweeper, to with the equipment used, which was dinghies and by now the weather had the first dive in appalling conditions locate and mark the wreck. Clearance Diving Breathing Appar- deteriorated to such an extent that to thereby setting the standard for the H.M.S. Miner III with the Diving atus with mixture gas of 321-% remain in the dinghy was a task in others to follow, Leading Seaman Team from Admiralty Under- Oxygen/67/% Nitrogen. With the itself. The operation was therefore Ayres and Able Seaman Dolan, who water Weapons Establishment, foregoing in mind, it will be readily stopped and, as nothing further showed both skill and tenacity in Portland, embarked. seen (even if fine weather and a calm could be done, the ships returned to securing the lifting wire to the heli- The Fleet Salvage Vessel Swin to sea prevailed) that this was to be no Portland. copter. lift the helicopter. diver's picnic. — 22 — I— 23 — www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Salvage Operation 'Anne Gaston' beach, where there was some shelter lay with her bows tucked right up from the direct fury of the storm. • under the cliffs, the tide covered her by SEAN LUDGATE It was quite evident however that decks at high water and left her T was mid September 1953 when a approached and visibility became the ship was going to be broken up almost high and dry at low water. rip roaring gale struck the small worse; to Leeward loomed the rocky on the rocks and in the early hour s of At first Mr. Sessions ruled out any IFleet of French Fishing Vessels cliffs of Ireland and certain dis- the morning one of the crew managed possibility of salvage for the hull, but working off the fishing grounds to truction. Hour after hour the Anne to leap onto the rocks and after a thought that it would be worth while the South-West of the Irish coast. Gaston was pounded relentlessly; superhuman effort he scaled the trying to salvage some of the trawl Aboard the Anne Gaston a 90 ton down below the crelks quarters were almost vertical cliffs to summon gear and deck fittings so he returned wooden trawler, the situation was awash and the Diesel engine was help. A rescue team working from to Crosshaven and contacted the serious, hammered by tremendous pounding away under 3 feet of water, the cliff top managed to save all the French authorities with an offer of a seas the wheelhouse had been all efforts with the pumps could make members of the crew leaving the nominal sum for the Anne Gaston. , smashed, and down below the engine- no headway. Anne Gaston to her fate. Calm sunny days passed, and our room was awash. The chief engineer Slowly the Anne Gaston was swept A week later the news of the anxiety increased with waiting for the staggering forward to report to the inshore; by some miracle the engines wreck has reached Mr. Sessions who answer, every day lost was vital, skipper was washed overboard as kept turning though the bearings was the Director of 'Sessions Marine' since a blow from the south-east another green sea shipped over the were under water, and this enabled a shipyard at Crosshaven, Co. Cork; would surely break up the Anne focsle. the skipper to scrape past a wicked he came down to Castletownend, the Gaston and the tides were making up Monsieur Gaston the skipper and offshore pinnacle of rocks giving him nearest port which was some five to springs, after which the chances of owner struggled to keep his ship just sufficient steerageway to creep sea miles from the wreck and hired a working aboard would be greatly into the wind, a battle against the round under the lee of the 200 feet fishing boat to take him to inspect reduced. At the yard in Crosshaven relentless sea which became more high cliffs, to ground across the the Anne Gaston. By some freak the van stood loaded with a collection 1, desperate as the hours- of darkness mouth of a small triangular rocky trick, the vessel had been lifted clear of tools and salvage gear ready to go from the dangerous rocks and now at a moments notice. The plan was

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— 24 — — 25 — www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk fit improvised plywood and canvas The following day, Vesty Bush, decided. An advanced party should was a mass of tangled cordage, patches over the gaping splintered climbed the mainmast and lowered go down to the wreck and clear away broken upturned furniture, fishing hole in her starboard bilge, while the the heavy cargo block which we the debris which included some five nets, soaking bunk mattresses, the gang aboard cleared away boat dragged the across rocks and lashed tons of rotting fish, to enable the remains of bread loaves, broken wine loads of loose timber nettings and to a large rocky outcrop. The trawl main team to get to work unimpeded. bottles. The air was polluted with rubbish. wire was then passed out through the At last on the 1st August the long the reek of fuel oil which covered forward Gallows over to the Gin awaited news came through, Mr. everything, and the stench of rotting The next day saw a setback to our block some hundred feet away to Sessions offer had been accepted, the fish. plans; we arrived off the wreck to starboard and back again through French Authorities has written off The prospect of clearing such a start work in the early hours of the the after Gallows to a chain tackle the Anne Gaston as a total loss. sodden mass would have daunted the morning but the sea was building up lashed to the mizzen. When the tide Within an hour the advance party stoutest heart. Inspection of the and any attempt to get aboard would showed signs of turning we split into consisting of Mick, Michael, Vesty wheelhouse revealed that we were have been futile. The weather showed two parties, Mr. Session stood by the Bush and myself were on our way. not the first to have visited the ship, no signs of easing so we abandoned winch brake while Michael and my- the attempt. The same afternoon we had chart- the pirates had been aboard before self manned the motive power end, ered a local fishing smack complete us and removed every instrument It was not until the 6th of October which consisted of a large stilson with crew and headed out of Castle- worth salvage, the radio had been that the sea moderated and we were wrench augmented by a 6ft. length townsend against a stiff W.S.W. smashed to pieces, valves and com- at last able to get on with the job of steel pipe which gave maximum breeze which whipped the wave ponents littered the deck; very soon once more. In the meantime we had leverage to our efforts to turn the crests into spray. The journey to the it was apparent that every scrap of assembled several 100 ton jacks and main drive shaft. wreck took about half an hour, and gear of value which we had hoped to t. several motor pumps, these were salvage had been looted. Down aft, Dick Leonard, Vesty when we anchored we were able to manhandled into the workboat and and Mick stood by the chain tackle. get a full appreciation of the diffi- However, we set to and rigged the then aboard the Anne Gaston. After several hefty swings on the culties we had to face. derrick to discharge the tons of stilson the slack in the trawl wire rotting fish overboard, then started At low water we located the jacks A moderate swell rolled into the along under her port bilge and slowly was taken up, blocks, sheaves and tiny triangle of beach where the cutting away the tangled mass of wire creaked ominously, so we waited gear, we started pumping up the jacks, but Anne Gaston lay with her bows almost these just bent the fin. steel plates on for the tide to help us and every half touching the vertical wall of menac- For three days we worked when which they were mounted and dug hour we heaved in inch by inch. ing cliffs. Lying over on her port the tide permitted us and managed to deeper and deeper into the rocky bilge the water lapped her port clear the decks and down below shore; there was no sign of lift. Watching the truck of the main- scuppers, the mizzen boom trailed sufficiently to enable us to get at the mast against the cliff one could see over the counter, the tattered remains hull structure. It was impossible to continue the the slight roll of the ship as the swell lifted her bilge off the rocks. of her steadying sail washed to and On the 3rd of October Mr. repairs until we had got her on an fro in the swell, trawl wires and falls Sessions arrived with motor pumps, even keel. Before very long it was quite obvious that the jacks were Mr. Sessions timed our heaves to littered the decks, and, as we massive timber legs, quick set con- synchronize with the slight roll of the approached in the workboat, the crete and more salvage gear. After useless and we would have to try another method. hull, jamming on the brake of the atmosphere became almost erie, long an inspection of the hull at low water winch each time we gained a few tentacles of seaweed swirled and it was evident that she had suffered Our only hope was the trawl winch. inches. After about an hour it was sucked round her hull, the grating serious damage to her stempost as We had no power aboard of course, quite plain that we were moving her, cries of seagulls echoed against the well as a hole amidships to starboard but there was a chance that we could the angle of the deck had lessened towering cliffs above us. and possibly in the port bilge as well. operate the winch by turning the greatly but the singing and crackle Getting aboard was not easy, the The task of removing any of the drive shaft with a large stilson of the trawl wire scared the daylights swell threatening to smash a hole in heavy deck gear would prove almost wrench. out of us. Down aft the mizzen mast our workboat as we rose and fell impossible since we were only able Before rigging up the gear we was bending 8in. to starboard in dangerously near the rocks alongside. to get alongside in the small work- decided to empty the port fuel tanks way of the tackle, so we decided to We managed to scramble aboard, boat; the swell made this operation a to assist in lift. This operation took stiffen this by sawing away the boom and slithering across the oil soaked hazard so Mr. Sessions decided to most of the day, and by the time the which we wedged under the hounds decks at an angle of 35 degrees we risk everything on getting her afloat. tide was lapping over the decks we hand of the gallows and wedged the carried out our tour of inspection. Dick Leonard, the Yard Manager, had transferred several gallons of lower end against the heel of a bul- Down below was a scene of in- and Vesty Bush, working up to the fuel oil into drums. wark stanchion. describable havoc, the crews quarters waist in the swirling tide, started to — 27 — — 26 — www.mcdoa.org.uk Anne

in a heavy swell needed great

Gradually the water level began to We now had eight powerful pumps

We decided that there must be a The handling of the heavy 3in.

The tide was rising rapidly so we

Gaston board. brute force and manpower, so we had to use the derrick on the fishing rocks while we put the pumps on- boat. Coming alongside the pumps proved too difficult for mere care and skilful handling on the part of John Deasy the skipper, but he by high tide the level down below was managed to keep her clear of the were afloat, but this was not good enough. There was still a very as we started them chattering away on deck, pumping hundreds of gallons over the side. outside the hull. It was evident they for more motor pumps. the keel bumping on the rocks, we serious leak somewhere and . we our efforts. To add to our disappoint- very serious leak somewhere below could not possibly risk taking her off. It was with very dampened spirits and Mr. Sessions journeyed to Cork aboard and the noise was deafening the low tide level which was inaccess- ment, the weather began to deter- were making no headway at all, and hardly an inch below the sea outside. able, possibly the garboard strakes so we returned to Castletownsend fall and by high tide we could hear aft, or somewhere in the deadwood, to give up after all our hard work. that we once more had to abandon iorate, and we had visions of having The tides had now passed Springs and the attempt had to be made to clothes and had gulped a mug of soundings of the levels inside and float her within the next two days hot tea. started the motor pumps, taking

29 —

We had no idea of the condition of By 1630 we had her about upright

At this moment the ship shuddered The following day we could see the

Down below the gang onboard

As the tide rose work had to be

the wire or of the alternate stresses

round of the struggle and life was bulwarks expecting the wire to come began to win as the added lift of the position and bolted through the hull rust as the brake slipped on the tide on the empty port fuel tanks 16ft. long baulks of Elm which we had prepared as legs were juggled into very much easier now we could walk which were being imposed; it was port and starboard with fore and aft guys rigged. We had won the first wire held. ever tried. Nevertheless the Devil eased the strain. looks after his own, and slowly we and locked the winch brake. The winch. All hands ducked under the about the craziest operation we had extent of the damage to the port side. from stem to stern, there was a lashing across the deck; luckily the about on a level deck. There was no gaping hole as we had ramming in caulking along the seams imagined, only a few sprung planks, sickening crrump! and a cloud of

round the stem frame, between the and improving temporary sealing were mixing quick-a-set concrete for so Dick and Vesty got to work cement boxes. We poured cement Dick and Vesty came onboard splines, etc. abandoned on the hull outside and horn timbers and between all the

after almost two hours in the water, a very noble effort indeed. However wooden floors under the tail shaft. once they had changed into dry soaked and shivering with the cold they seemed none the worse for wear

f www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

TH E

The Perfection of Cigarette Luxury

SENIOR SERVICE

CIGAR ETTE

OF THE DAY

OUTSTANDING

VIRGINIA TOBACCO AT ITS BEST

Fair-

Anne Anne

was brought brought was

Anne Gaston Gaston Anne

was driven across the harbour harbour the across driven was

was most unsuitable for the job job the for unsuitable most was

Our fears in this respect were not not were respect this in fears Our

However, in spite of all the hazards, hazards, the all of spite in However, This vessel, an ex-'C' Class, Class, ex-'C' an vessel, This

On another occasion the wind in- wind the occasion another On

After a week on the beach at at beach the on week a After

Thus the the Thus

without foundation, and we all but but all we and foundation, without

home. home.

lost everything during the journey journey the during everything lost

the risk. risk. the

Sessions had no option but to take take to but option no had Sessions

due to her shallow draught, but Mr. Mr. but draught, shallow her to due the yard at Crosshaven. Crosshaven. at yard the

repairs were made, and the only only the and made, were repairs

mile, mile,

Castletownsend to tow her back to to back her tow to Castletownsend

Gaston Gaston

trailing her parted anchor wires; it it wires; anchor parted her trailing

available towing craft arrived at at arrived craft towing available

to get her back on the beach. beach. the on back her get to

took a whole night fighting the gale gale the fighting night whole a took

creased to gale force and the the and force gale to creased they realized how much the hull had had hull the much how realized they nipped between the planking that that planking the between nipped

worked. worked. over on her bilge. It was only after after only was It bilge. her on over

they had righted her to find seaweed seaweed find to her righted had they

operation was nearly fraught with with fraught nearly was operation

refasten the sprung plaking and re- and plaking sprung the refasten which held her upright on the beach beach the on upright her held which

disaster, on one occasion the legs legs the occasion one on disaster,

caulk the leaking seams. Even this this Even seams. leaking the caulk

sank deep into the sand and she fell fell she and sand the into deep sank

his shipwrights had managed to to managed had shipwrights his

Castletownsend, Dick Leonard and and Leonard Dick Castletownsend,

episode in brief. brief. in episode

interest to hear the aftermath of this this of aftermath the hear to interest

subsequent history but it may be of of be may it but history subsequent

patient readers with the details of her her of details the with readers patient

to safety. I do not wish to bore my my bore to wish not do I safety. to

a cable distant from dry land on the the on land dry from distant cable a

hard sandy beach. beach. sandy hard sigh of relief when the keel grounded grounded keel the when relief of sigh

point of foundering but the beach beach the but foundering of point

was in sight and there was a mighty mighty a was there and sight in was

poured water over the side without without side the over water poured

12 inches, she was almost on the the on almost was she inches, 12

later the freeboard aft was down to to down was aft freeboard the later

further trouble. A quarter of an hour hour an of quarter A trouble. further

— 31 — — 31 —

Timber Timber

and and

Anne Gaston Gaston Anne

Richard Richard

By 1740 water down below was was below down water 1740 By

At last we were in calmer water and and water calmer in were we last At

Up ahead the two fishing boats had had boats fishing two the ahead Up

We had five sea miles to cover cover to miles sea five had We

Down below water poured in in poured water below Down

The wreck had come to life once once life to come had wreck The

entrance to Castletownsend harbour. harbour. Castletownsend to entrance

the two remaining serviceable pumps pumps serviceable remaining two the we rounded the rocky Island at the the at Island rocky the rounded we

only three feet below the hatches, as as hatches, the below feet three only

the moderate sea which was running running was which sea moderate the

clear of the sheltering headland. headland. sheltering the of clear

running and this kept the water from from water the kept this and running

throttles wide open, pounding into into pounding open, wide throttles now all three were pulling with with pulling were three all now

been supplemented by a third, and and third, a by supplemented been

we managed to keep two pumps pumps two keep to managed we

pumps died on us. We were in a very very a in were We us. on died pumps

pumps. The quickset concrete must must concrete quickset The pumps.

gaining too rapidly. rapidly. too gaining

have been giving way, because the the because way, giving been have

waterlevel below had risen a foot foot a risen had below waterlevel go and we had to resort to manning manning to resort to had we and go

desperate situation — three miles to to miles three — situation desperate

the hand bilge pumps while efforts efforts while pumps bilge hand the

above the engine flywheel. However, However, flywheel. engine the above were made to clear the choked choked the clear to made were

open pipes below. This did have have did This below. pipes open

off the pump roses and lower the the lower and roses pump the off

some affect but one by one the the one by one but affect some

There was nothing for it but to take take to but it for nothing was There

Castletownsend harbour and we we and harbour Castletownsend

before we could reach the shelter of of shelter the reach could we before

were already in trouble, the water water the trouble, in already were

level was gaining rapidly down below. below. down rapidly gaining was level

by one these packed up due to choked choked to due up packed these one by perforated and covered with netting. netting. with covered and perforated

We started four more pumps but one one but pumps more four started We put the roses inside steel oil drums drums oil steel inside roses the put

was sucked round the suction roses roses suction the round sucked was

of the pumps, even though we had had we though even pumps, the of

suction boxes or mechanical failure. failure. mechanical or boxes suction

was brought into action. It was not not was It action. into brought was

more and rolled easily in the swell. swell. the in easily rolled and more

down the counter and a second pump pump second a and counter the down

headed into the open sea. sea. open the into headed

long before the swirling debris below below debris swirling the before long

took the strain and and strain the took fishing vessels vessels fishing

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

now bumping her keel keel her bumping now

Once clear of the rocks the towing towing the rocks the of clear Once

A great cheer went up from all on on all from up went cheer great A

We passed towing wires over the the over wires towing passed We

Urgent messages were sent back back sent were messages Urgent

At 1700 a fleet of small boats boats small of fleet a 1700 At

We were in the middle of this this of middle the in were We

By this time Mick was ready with with ready was Mick time this By

wires were changed and passed passed and changed were wires

through the for'd fairleads. The The fairleads. for'd the through

the cliffs. cliffs. the

board and the watching crowds on on crowds watching the and board

Anne Gaston Gaston Anne

towropes, she slid from under the the under from slid she towropes,

cliff face. face. cliff

ready for the dash to safety. The The safety. to dash the for ready

anchor wires for'd were cast off and and off cast were for'd wires anchor

slowly, as the strain was taken on the the on taken was strain the as slowly,

on the rocks was well afloat and and afloat well was rocks the on

counter to two fishing boats, the the boats, fishing two to counter

had soon spread through the village village the through spread soon had

ranging from motor launches to to launches motor from ranging

interested spectators. spectators. interested

fishing craft were standing by, word word by, standing were craft fishing

boat to come out to assist in the tow. tow. the in assist to out come to boat

kept things well under control. control. under well things kept

and the cliff tops were lined with with lined were tops cliff the and

to Castletownsend for every available available every for Castletownsend to

and a small waterfall cascaded down down cascaded waterfall small a and

from aft; nevertheless the pumps still still pumps the nevertheless aft; from hour later the seams under the the under seams the later hour

to be keeping the water at bay. An An bay. at water the keeping be to

counter began to spray jets of water water of jets spray to began counter

motor pump was started to keep the the keep to started was pump motor

level down, and at last we appeared appeared we last at and down, level

cement would set in time to plug the the plug to time in set would cement

ebb, and we could only pray that the the that pray only could we and ebb,

1400 the tide turned and by 1500 a a 1500 by and turned tide the 1400

operation when the rest of our crew crew our of rest the when operation

beds. beds.

leak before the tide rose again. At At again. rose tide the before leak

arrived aboard. The tide was at its its at was tide The aboard. arrived

cement was level under the engine- the under level was cement

after the receding water until the the until water receding the after

under the engine between the wooden wooden the between engine the under

floors; bucket after bucket went in in went bucket after bucket floors; the concrete, which was poured down down poured was which concrete, the

round one end of the cylinder and and cylinder the of end one round hoisted the cylinder up on one end end one on up cylinder the hoisted

which allowed us to work underneath. underneath. work to us allowed which

— 30 — — 30 —

Sure enough they they enough Sure

The tide was nearly at its lowest lowest its at nearly was tide The

For two hours we sat down below below down sat we hours two For

with water from the bilges; inside inside bilges; the from water with

pressed air hissed and sprayed us us sprayed and hissed air pressed

ten minutes we had a strop rigged rigged strop a had we minutes ten

a self-respecting engineer weep. Com- weep. engineer self-respecting a

attacked the pipes with a hack-saw hack-saw a with pipes the attacked

in a manner which would have made made have would which manner a in

wrestle with all the pipe joints so we we so joints pipe the all with wrestle

straps, holding the 10ft. cylinder in in cylinder 10ft. the holding straps, Mr. Sessions and myself started un- started myself and Sessions Mr.

bolting the heavy steel securing securing steel heavy the bolting

its chocks. We had no time to to time no had We chocks. its

under the engineroom plates. Shout- plates. engineroom the under

a massive compressed air cylinder cylinder air compressed massive a

ebb and there was no time to lose if if lose to time no was there and ebb ing to Mick to start mixing cement, cement, mixing start to Mick to ing

trouble spot we would have to move move to have would we spot trouble unately before we could get near the the near get could we before unately

engine beds. beds. engine

we were to stop the leak. Unfort- leak. the stop to were we

plainly where the trouble lay; the the lay; trouble the where plainly

By the time the engine flywheel was was flywheel engine the time the By clear of the water we could see see could we water the of clear

ripped up the engineroom plates. plates. engineroom the up ripped

water rose and fell between the the between fell and rose water pectations. We moved forward and and forward moved We pectations.

moved steadily forward towards the the towards forward steadily moved

engineroom, contrary to all our ex- our all to contrary engineroom,

paper boats to see which way they they way which see to boats paper

would float. float. would

the gurgling of water but couldn't couldn't but water of gurgling the

detect where the flow was escaping, escaping, was flow the where detect

tide receded outside, we could hear hear could we outside, receded tide so we hit on the idea of floating floating of idea the on hit we so

come aboard at midday. midday. at aboard come

watching the water level fall as the the as fall level water the watching

the remainder of the crew were to to were crew the of remainder the

pressed spirits that Mr. Sessions, Sessions, Mr. that spirits pressed

morning the 11th October to try and and try to October 11th the morning

work out a solution to the problem, problem, the to solution a out work

Mick and I went off on Sunday Sunday on off went I and Mick

defective through magneto and other other and magneto through defective

troubles, so it was with very de- very with was it so troubles,

keel with more cement boxes, but but boxes, cement more with keel

which half of the motor pumps went went pumps motor the of half which

with little better results, on top of of top on results, better little with or we would not have enough depth depth enough have not would we or

patching up and filling in along the the along in filling and up patching at high water. Another day was spent spent was day Another water. high at

Anne

Deep-

Vernon

Hockey

Vernon

in Water Polo this

Vernon

and of course Able Seaman

for a song; I believe she is

again, other than Lieutenant

Sports Representative

Mr. Sessions was forced into

Such heroic efforts and hard work

In the Rugby field we have five

We are, from the look of things, I would like to thank Lieutenant

Before I close I would just like to

but bad luck took another turn at the Gaston Manager Dick Leonard and the Ship- on the part of Mr. Sessions, his Yard been better rewarded than they were, wheel. now operating off the North Wales wrights from the yard should have liquidation and had to sell the

water coast. Parry.

but made a real effort. It was nice were 'just a little' out of condition, to see an officer representing Commander Filer and Lieutenant Navy as well. The

Burton not only representing playing at one time or another for Vernon, make a note that in one Football in cross-country but running for the Dodd for helping us with the organ- team was permanently graced with present match the total age of the forward Commander Filer and Lieutenant at least two divers throughout the, going to have quite a few to re- season. succeed. ization. season. As the trials have only just put us on top in ,the summer. With started I can't say who yet. line was 190 years, so I am hoping that our younger divers will really more moral support I know we will

— 33 —

H.P.

road

Vernon

during the wet season of

C.P.O. R. H. G. McKINLAY,

`Deepwater' Division Sports Notes

However all went well and she was

After months of work the keel and

T is my duty to report to all poor response to sports from

sporting types that we have had a

Unfortunately up to now the

bottom was replanked, the 375 Deepwater `Mann' Diesel Engine was lifted out the whole engine; now she was once hauled up into the yard balanced on one side of the cradle. more a sound seagoing vessel. stemframe were replaced, most of her expert on Diesels, who re-ground all and stripped by Mr. Jackubait, an

the bearing by hand and re-assembled I

we will sweep the board with summer that we are going through, and that winter. I am hoping it is just a phase because I am pleased to report we

sports. Perhaps I have painted things have had some success. First of all Petty Officer Bell won the Commissioned Gunner (T.A.S.) F. Lieutenant Parry scoring all our a little blacker than they really are Badminton. I ask you! have you ever X. Sequeira of the Indian Navy. We race for us. Our footballers got us our road race team of Able Seaman Sutton, Able Seaman Upton and last match my partner was Senior which we lost to Tenders 7-4, into the final of the Vernon Shield seen divers play this'? anyway in the Shield. As you know the Challenge the sports — it wishes. division below us will challenge at four goals. To date we are lying Shield is a competition where each

division works its way up the 'league' challenging the one above at any of

second in the inter-port Challenge www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

re-

Anne

was drawing

Anne Gaston

on the rails. This oper-

shored up in the soft mud was

The depth of water at the end of The day of high water springs was

Slowly the winch inched her up the

When the tide left her we found

All efforts with Jacks proved hope-

The only answer was to saw away

The cradle was unbolted and

With the hull of her keel now some

13ft. aft. Two large rubber 'Camels' the slipway was 9ft. at high water blustery and even in the harbour

giving up without a struggle. However the attempt to get her on were brought down from Cork and there was quite a chop on the water.

springs and starboard. the slipway had to be made. At the top of high water she floated onto the lashed under her counter port and

cradle and the legs made fast along- went well until with a sudden bang

parted. slipway for about twenty feet; all the shackle on the hauling gear side.

that she had lifted the cradle off the rails and was now some 18 inches to rails. one side listing dangerously. possible means of raising the 90 ton less, the soft mud gave no foundation

to exert any lifting force. We had no hull back to the height of the slipway underneath.

the keel and burn away the keelbolts Gaston to allow steel girders to be passed assembled

ation took several days and the precarious position of the

most dangerous for the shipwrights 18 inches below the bottom of the working under her. to be dug right up the slipway and slipway rails, a trench 2ft. deep had to come up the slip.

across a tarmac road to allow her

— 32 —

was

Anne

was not

On two

which was a

Anne Gaston

Fairmile

found it almost im-

Anne Gaston

packed up and we

Anne Gaston

which was chafing through,

Fairmile

Fairmile

The weather, which was fine,

By the late afternoon we were being

Here again after shortening the tow

One might think that Mr. Sessions

having more trouble trying to keep

bad sign. Dick and his crew were

deteriorated, and by mid-day we could see the pumps working hard sunny, with a slight sea when we cleared Castletownsend, gradually aboard the the suction boxes from becoming Gaston occasions we had to renew the bight choked with the oily mass of rubbish of wire at the stem head of the swirling in the bilges.

the grass rope was paid out to its

Head of Kinsali, the fullest extent to ease the shocks as the force of the wind increased to half a gale. under our lee, until, by the grace of God, we managed to clear round the headland and steamed into Kinsali labouring flatout to try and keep battled to keep clear of the rocks steeyageway. For seemingly hours we driven towards the rocks off the Old Harbour against a rip-roaring tide.

we nearly came to grief, the skipper

of the possible to handle his charge in the

narrow channel. The

was brought alongside, and with her

the 13ft. draught she made steeing very tricky against both wind and tide. One of the two effective engines in made from Kinsdale to Crosshaven, rocky shore, but luck was with us By the time we were safely alongside the quay at Kinsdale dusk had fallen. where half the population turned out drifted within a few fathoms of the A few days later the final trip was

to see our arrival. and a counter current swept us clear. had had enough trouble for his

efforts, but the www.mcdoa.org.uk E.C.D.0. Notes XPERIMENTAL Clearance This puzzled some of our brother rpiving Unit having returned C.D's, was countered with many once more to the Mecca of div- spirited comments — latest stuff! — ing, the time has come to put pen to very secret! — never catch on etc. paper to give an account of what has The ex-standards of our company been happening these past few (very wisely) said nothing. Thus fore- months. warned, expectant and not a little Towards the end of last year the apprehensive we embarked in Re- Unit was rapidly disappearing; only claim and set sail (literally) for six strong at the time we were spread warmer climates. fairly well around the country with After a short time at Gibraltar we three at Glen Fruin —continuing our arrived at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, liaison with Doctor Rawlins and the Canary Islands, which was to be our Institute of Aviation Medicine on base for operations for the next six Underwater Ejection Trials — one at weeks. A weekend ashore before Anaesthetic quality Sofnol Soda-lime is used in over 30 countries for Portland deep swimming (with A.T.T. starting work was a welcome rest Anaesthetic apparatus, respirators, oxygen administration, air purifica- I hasten to add, not by himself), one and we all took the opportunity to tion in confined spaces etc., and is available in 3 grades—White (non- looking for things that go bang on look at local sights (and make our indicating), Green and Violet (self-indicating), in granule sizes lif" Norfolk beaches (at least, that's his local contacts for future reference). to 40 B.S.S. story) and the Boss ardently trying The island can only be described as Analytic quality Sofnolite is a special self-indicating soda-lime for to give Lt. Gratton a bend in the fabulous, with acres of beautiful blue gravimetric CO2 determination.' Vernon pot (little did he know . . .!) sky, temperature in the 80's and sea, Apart from a change round of warm enough for divers to swim C.D.1's we down South were not to without suits. see the Glen Fruin counterpart until A diver's paradise, both above S just before Christmas and then only water and below it — and in the L to sign their leave chits. Plymouth Command too! NON-HYGROSCOPIC SODA-LIME Us at Portsmouth indulged in a The Table II trials have already little Christmas (Dick) Tusonery, SOFNOL LTD., WESTCOMBE HILL, GREENWICH, LONDON, S.E.IO been described in previous articles so struggling up and down Horsea Lake it is sufficient to say that nobody with an undersized dustbin strapped appreciates the necessity for stops to our backs. Fortunately this more than E.C.D.U. fiendish device only recorded our For the Unit, the highlight of the depth, had ;t recorded our compass visit was ten days going native. As keeping qualities, it must be stated, Reclaim was returning to Gibraltar the results would have looked more for a short maintenance period in the like Alderney Track Charts! middle of the trials, we decided (to Just before going on Christmas quote the official report) 'to take leave we learned that we were to join advantage of excellent local con- Reclaim for three months in the ditions' to carry on with deep swim Spring to help out with her Table II and other E.C.D.U. trials. So, when trials. The first two weeks of Jan- Reclaim departed we stayed behind uary were spent checking that the with her diving launch to continue Seamanship Manual hadn't changed our own work. We also had Doctor since we last went to sea and having Wray and M. (E) Pettit, both of `acquaintance dips' (big joke) in Reclaim with us, who besides their standard equipment from Miner III obvious help in their professional in Vernon Creek and out at Spithead. capacity gave invaluable service as — 34 — — 35 — www.mcdoa.org.uk

1 -37— www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

and

Reclaim's

Reclaim

M.F.C.D.T. and

did the original reconnoitre

Shoulton,

and leave, and leaving behind

After the exercise, we took part in

Returning once more to 'our ship'

Our role call at present is Lt.

had four bunks! yard Engineers who had a water a little cave-hunting for the Dock- absolutely perfect for all the things of fresh water. Since they had drawn a diver wants a vehicle for. It also off 12,000 tons of fresh water without naturally wanted to know where it

supply in a cave containing 500 tons any drop in the level they quite was coming from, particularly in view of the shortage of water in Gibraltar. E.C.D.U., together with Doctor but lack of time prevented them from Shoulton So, armed with outcave-hunting coming to any conclusion. team took over but then gave it to us. equipment, a miscellany of divers Mackay from R.N.P.L. went into

from the dark depths. We recorded 126 feet of water then ran out of light, beautifully warm water! so the mystery still remains for future exploration. Always with an what a splendid night club the cave eye to business, we all remarked on would make, complete with it's own bathing pool of crystal clear and

we set on 'Pompey revs.' and steamed us happy memories of a close liaison to Portsmouth again, returning to between E.C.D.U. and Merrick, (C.D.O.), P.O. King, (C.D. Vernon

a most pleasant and interesting trip. 1.), L./S. Hough (C.D.2) (just in case one remembers that far back and pension now', I can assure you it's Martin (C.D.2.) and Johnson (D.3.) says 'I knew a Hooley Hough but that was years ago, he must be on the same one!). A.B's Redford and

The latter has joined us as a result of a reorganisation but more of that

in our next report.

—36—

hel-

Reclaim's

return we rejoined

Reclaim's

During our stay we formed a

On

of their regulation 120 minutes. attendants, etc. We in our turn English and we spoke no Spanish I managed to give them a fair whack belong to an organised group as in U.K. One came for a days diving

experts', though they did not seem to liaison with the local 'sub-aqua with us and although he spoke no think we managed to impress and interest him. We are surprised to find their knowledge of the physics of were spent 'ear-bashing' and doing diving was so limited and many hours drawings. However, we were suitably impressed at their courage when one business man was offering 1 million

showed up a photograph of himself pesetos (just under £6,000) to anyone standing beside a 7 ft. Mako shark which he had caught with his spear gun! They also told us that a local who could dive to 200 metres (660 ium panel no longer existed and ment. Any taker . . . Lt. Wookey? . . . feet). Unfortunately though hydrogen was considered we her (rather unwillingly, we must did not really have the right equip- knowledge of the basic Spanish admit) very sunburnt, rather short of money but with an extensive hitherto 'Trials Minded' now bears a vocabulary. Our unofficial motto,

sub-title 'No Pongar Aciete' ! After two more weeks Table II diving we where we joined with practically every other diver in the Navy that our S.B.S. compatriots to take part set sail once more for Gibraltar could be scraped out of the barrel and 50 divers collected together in one in a combined Exercise. Although this was a cold, wet and miserable exercise, the unique occasion of some

little space was celebrated to no mean tune. We had a diver's bus laid on for us — an old ambulance — kindly loaned to us by. S.N.S.O., which was 9

was as well that we found the

One of his pastimes during the

The stay was a most wonderful

It

The next opportunity he had of

waist in water, bend down and peer Levant — the latter as interesting below as above the surface, we were we were very well looked after in every way. Air and boats were at using the schnorkel, and such being told. themselves as much as we did. long periods spent splashing about in the Solent was to don a schnorkel opportunity to see both the French divers and their home grounds, and our disposal whenever we asked and the instructors who seemed to enjoy and facemask, and whilst up to his into the usually murky sea in the the shallows. One Sunday however, small crabs and other inhabitants of the case, it ought to help him con- put his theory to the test and found we were shown the most interesting and lovely underwater locations by

somewhat vain hope of studying the ular afternoon. sun in France, for the rain started as we drove home from the Airport. he decided that breathing whilst submerged was greatly facilitated by siderably in his efforts to swim. He observed to be travelling like a fast it worked, with the result that he was schnorting submarine on that partic- prowess was the following Tuesday

demonstrating his newly aquired He was first in, and promptly started evening when a friend came and the beach with some other children. beach, using his schnorkel and swim collected him and took him down to

flogging up and down a stretch of water close in, and paralled to the

— 39 —

Just in

(To whom it may concern)

`S chnorkelled Ariel.

H.M.S.

AY back in the 'Summer' of 1960 a lad of eight years old

was rescued from drowning by

We found that our greatest im-

Unfortunately we spent longer on

The lad in question was very fond

pression was the visibility and colour refraction underwater. It was usual

to enter the water and see right down to the bottom, 80ft. away. In this before our eyes and we could pick way the whole sea bed was laid out the most likely sites for closer travelling, than we had anticipated

exploration. days; we could cheerfully have spent and our stay was cut short at five

at least twice as long at St. Mandrier and would then have been able to visit both the coral beds and the Ile de W Leading Airman and two other

the prompt and intelligent action of a ratings from

the lesson I learned, I venture to tell case somebody else can profit from

this story though the frightful picture of what might have been scares me to death every time I think of it. plenty of opportunity for bathing. In

of the water and being fortunate enough to live close to the beach had

to half a dozen overarm strokes, kicks, propelled him for a short

other physical functions necessary to achievement up to this time amounted family joke that he appeared to have spite of this however his aquatic Like most beginners he had not been distance, albeit mostly underwater. able to master the art of breathing at distinct tendencies towards qualifying as a diver. which, combined with fairly orthodox the same time as he performed the swim, in fact, it was something of a www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Club

France by

of

In the afternoon we went out to a

On the next day the school came

The diving locations which we

nearby mole and lighthouse and,

with two pairs of divers down at a time, we each had about 40 — 50 minutes' swimming. The sea bed was

similar to that around Horsea Forts — large rocks and concrete slabs with myriad tiny fish close in, and levelling

out to a sandy bottom at about 70 mooring for anti-submarine nets

feet, but the clarity of the water gave much greater colour to the surround-

ings. Two of the divers swam down nothing beyond a suspect mine-home and all! This turned out to be a which hung down from the surface, and out to the 100ft. line but saw covered by small fish swarming in back from their Easter Leave and we began the routine which we kept for and out of its links.

the rest of the stay. Dividing the day

into two diving periods, we spent one session in the local area and went out to ride. To see below as well as for the other. During these dives we was very easy to control, but difficult a 'Martian' looking apparatus which around the coast or across the bay

all got a ride in the towed survey sled, and telesopic arms. visited were generally between 50 and 80 feet, with sea-beds ranging from ahead required contortionist abilities rocky slabs and outcrops to sand and

weed beds. There were lobsters, didn't know their hiding habits well langoustes and crabs at the rock sites, but they were elusive, and we the area around the school. enough to make large hauls. Octopi hands landed several of them from were easier meat and the old 'Med'

— 38 —

to the South

LIEUTENANT W. L. J. WARREN, R.N.

days, to get there

by

21

Yeovilton Sub-Aqua

Visit

HE diving stands at the Boat

Show this year sent our thoughts

winging from the London Jan-

A

Commandant Laboucher put the

The domestics once settled, the

uary to sunshine and new diving Naval Diving School run by Com- Mandrier, is on the extreme western T horizons. The perfect combination mandant Laboucher. The location, we found, this Easter, at the French the small fishing village of St. arm of Toulon Bay, and it takes we spread over phrases — `Stek oeuf and chips' and about 24 hours' driving time, which from Le Touquet. In that time our

right of the road, sometimes. so forth — which proved invaluable interpreters weighed off various and the drivers re-orientated to the after mess-deck of the school's diving

launch at our disposal for accom- modation and the chefs provided

liberal helpings of French-Style food thrice daily.

diving started, and our host very bottles, which were ready charged generously Misted that we use their one of their instructors, we started daily, and their weight belts too. Thus equipped, and accompanied by our famil dives on Easter Monday —

variety of colour below. During the with 40 — 50 feet visibility and a a grey day above the surface, but morning each pair had a 15 minute

with a session of set-ditching and free

look around, and then followed this ascents — to get used to the French harnesses. These dives were made

from pontoons just off the school, a but off the shore. set-up very similar to Horsea Lake— www.mcdoa.org.uk mask. The other children came out artificial respiration (Schafer's) until of the sea after about 15 minutes and a Doctor came along and made water had been ejected from the clear the schnorkel, and a build-up the friend noted that our lad was still arrangements for the patient to be mouth. of carbon dioxide resulted. When going strong before giving the young- removed to hospital. It took some (c) Although there was plenty of one considers that the vital capacity est child a hand to get dressed. It was 20 minutes before regular breathing people about and he was quite of the average 8 year old boy (li whilst this was happening that the was restored and a certain amount close to the shore, nobody other Litres) is little more than one third very alert rating from Ariel came of water ejected. than the ratings from Ariel that of the average 19 year old youth, realised there was anything amiss, it seems quite feasible that under along and observed the inactive body The lad was kept in hospital over- of a young schnorkeller in the water. hence it would appear fairly safe conditions of rapid shallow breathing night and after being fully X-rayed to assume that there was no (panting), carbon dioxide may well Having asked the nearest person was sent home the following day whether the child belonged to him struggling or cries for help. rise to a dangerous level in a schnor- apparently none the worse for his (d) The X-ray results were satis- kel tube. and receiving a negative reply, they experience. decided to investigate and risk being factory and there appeared to be My doctor friends, who are ob- laughed at by the onlookers and With a view to establishing the no irritation of lungs which viously more likely to be correct, possibly the child, if in fact he was reason for this youngster almost suggests that the water taken in favour a different theory. They argue merely taking a prolonged rest and drowning in his own depth I did my was swallowed and not taken into that the inside of the schnorkel tube looking at the bottom. Whilst best to collect all the information I the lungs. will produce turbulent flow close to divesting themselves of their clothes could concerning the accident. (e) On return the next day the lad was the walls of the tube due to skin however, all doubt as to the need of The facts appeared to be as quite normal and unperturbed by friction, and lamna flow down action was dispelled as the schnorkel follows :— the accident, about which he had through the centre. The effect of this, drifted clear of the lad and his body (a) He had been swimming very no real recollection. There was they tell me, is to produce hyper- sank lower into the water. The energetically with schnorkel and no evidence whatsoever of any ventilation whereby carbon dioxide rescuers went into action, lifted the facemask for about 20 minutes. fright associated with a person is carried away at a very high rate, body out of the water and onto the (b) It had taken some 20 minutes to almost drowning whilst still con- and deprives the person concerned of beach where they successfully applied restore normal breathing and scious. the stimulus to breath which may From the above I draw the con- lead to unconsciousness. clusion that the boy over exerted Whichever argument is the correct himself whilst swimming with schnor- one I feel the lesson is that we must kel and facemask and produced a keep a wary eye on young `schnor- state of rapid shallow breathing kellers' and see to it they that don't ?as- a4i4e whereby his exhaled breath did not overdo things. ,40.44%. etoMes .;set.:tdr•e"dat, `Keeping the Flag Flying'

Branches at by LT. J. FUTCHER, R.N. 22 RAILWAY STREET, CHATHAM HE Demonstration Clearance On 26th August, Shoulton in Diving Unit, consisting of Lieut- company with R.F.A. Surf Pioneer Tenant John Futcher, Chief Petty sailed from Portland for Norfolk, 12 TAVISTOCK ROAD, Officer 'Floppy' Hopewell, Leading Virginia, by way of the Azores and STOKE, DEVONPORT Seaman 'Lofty' Brooker, 'Donkey' Bermuda. One day only was spent Bray, `Spadge' Sparrowe and Able in the Azores and two weeks in 14/15 CASTLETOWN, 81/82 QUEEN STREET Seaman `Ginge' Bichard, joined Bermuda. Training dives took place PORTLAND Shoulton at Chatham on 29th June daily during those two weeks and all 1959. On 3rd July, Shoulton pro- equipment was tested. Many fish PORTSMOUTH ceeded to Portland in preparation for were speared underwater, the largest an intensive work-up period which being a 16f pound Hogfish, and a CATALOGUES AND PRICE LISTS SENT ON REQUEST commenced on 14th July. Weather considerable quantity of 'Royal conditions were very good and the Doulton' china, in excellent con- work-up was most successful. dition, was recovered from the berth — 40 — — 41 — www.mcdoa.org.uk Horseback riding on ex-U.S. Cav-

On 7th March we sailed for New

While at Yorktown, a small early

hilarious than seeing Jolly Jack,

Naval Shipyard. No diving oper- York City where we arrived the next town dives was carried out by the think there is nothing more wildly peake in time to take off Cornwallis pletely out of control shouting whoa, late to carry out this chore?) the bit between his teeth, and com- morning and berthed in the Brooklyn on the banks of the York river. I divers ! The weather was bitterly cold been lost overboard from an ammun- many exciting hours were spent hearts. during this period, the temperature American village, most people visited they were forced to surrender to Washington. (We were slightly too interesting pastimes indulged in dur- projectiles were located, one was plished handraulically, hoisting them the battlefield where George Wash- pendence. It will be remembered that would cheer even the sourest of alry chargers, was one of the more astride a mount at full gallop with ington defeated General Cornwallis galloping through the wooded land stop you b - - - stop, a sight that complete reconnaisance of the down the Navy failed to reach the Chesa- recover them also. This was accom- frequently falling to about 12° F, and and his battle weary troops before ations took place in New York, but a

ing the short stay at Yorktown, and Yorktown were completed, we were and ended, apart from a few isolated about 80 minutes in the area the areas, the American War of Inde- ition lighter in October 1959. After

Ten days later, when operations off again asked to relocate the pro- one by one into the ship's boat. recovered, and the remainder buoyed. jectiles, and this time we decided to

— 43

sailed for Washington

Shoulton On the morning of the 1 1 th Jan- Christmas and New Year were

U.S.N. officers and a number of dives

period in Washington it was arranged U.S.N. Deep Sea Diving School; this navigating the Potomac River arrived

December. D.C. on 4th January, and after

Norfolk, Virginia on Tuesday 15th was most interesting and instructive. mixed with tinned milk and of about uary we sailed from Washington and were made in the Potomac, which at U.S.N. authorities, to search for 25 the same consistency. During the would be in paradise if he had similar being spent in a typical British January. Several demonstrations of equipment and the same wonderful facilities. It was also arranged for manner with plenty of food and the equipment were given to visiting Our own Superintendent of Diving that there are about five females to While on passage up the river, time in the capital on the morning of 5th for the full diving team to visit the between 20° F. and 30° F. and the quarters and many other places of interest. It may be interesting to note this time had the colour of strong tea peake Bay in cold muddy water. At with a hearty divers' party! visits to be made to the F.B.I. Head- every male in Washington! drink, and the New Year welcomed was taken, at the request of the menced a few days later in Chesa- water temperature was 38° F. slightly mid-February when we moved loca- evening. Operational diving recom- this time the air temperature varied

arrived back in Little Creek that

filled hedgehog projectiles, which had different to the conditions experi- enced off the Florida coast. Diving tion to Yorktown on the York River. continued in the Chesapeake until spent at Little Creek. Christmas www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

with

was the

sailed from

Shoulton,

Shoulton

Bittern

and

in company, sailed from Key

Shoulton

The diving was good in the area

The water temperature at Key

On 4th December

Port Everglades on Saturday 12th

December and arrived at the U.S. Everglades, a new port which is still

West averaged 75° F. and the air bottom. The tidal current was neg- prodding with his *Poky Stick' to keep a particularly hungry one away. in the process of expansion. Fort Lauderdale, Florida next day. 75 feet of water on a sandy and rocky The small sharks usually kept their Fort Lauderdale is about 20 miles North of Miami and is a regular ment and we were there at the beginning of the season! Unfortun- Seaman Bray had to do a lot of rumoured that during that time, West and arrived at Port Everglades, damsels. deep were encountered. Incidentally it is understood that first Royal Navy ship to visit Port tainment and each attempting to experienced during the whole trip, temperature was usually in the upper high humidity. This naturally pre- Bittern team lost their hearts to local Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, ligible here and no monsters of the and the visibility was the best eighties or lower nineties with a very compete with the other with gaudy- little millionaire's paradise. There are literally hundreds of night clubs distance but on one occasion Leading * Stick with point to poke at sharks. ness of their neon signs. A fabulous city of vacationers bent on enjoy- averaging forty to fifty feet in about cluded the wearing of rubber suits. though, two members of the diving

and hotels sporting first class enter- ately we were there for only one week and a working week at that. It is

in

-= 42

Surf

our host-ship and

sailed for Key West

Queen of Bermuda

Bittern,

in Bermuda and on 21s1

Key West is the most southerly

It was very enjoyable to dive in the

We parted company with

very much. The ones we encountered

high winds. The seas off Key West and only one ten footer was seen. Hamilton Harbour. Humphrey Bogart fame, Marathon, by the Ocean Highway which runs were usually three to four feet long of R.M.S.

the visibility on the bottom never prices are very high. warm tropical waters of the Gulf but being disturbed by a swell set up by ever, we were not pestered by them South Carolina, for two days. Dockyard Port and apart from the 5th October in company with U.S.S. nected to the remainder of Florida made up of Cuban immigrants. exceeded about seven feet as the fine crosses, among others, Key Largo of white coral mud was continually abound in game fish of all types

city in the United States and is con- miles of bridges to Key West. It time. Norfolk is a typical Naval Bitterne we numerous enlisted men's and offic- where we arrived on 1 1 th October, from Miami across the Keys and including sharks. Fortunately, how- of disinfectant is said to have orig- and Pine Key where a famous brand entertainers in the shadier night famed for the length of the drinks September sailed for Norfolk, where ers' clubs was not very exciting. On There is a lot of life to be found but the U.S.S. after stopping off in Charleston, we arrived two days later and met American counter-part, for the first inated! Key West can be described Pioneer a large percentage of its population stand it is, too, for many of the spots ! It is a semi-tropical city with as the end of the line and I under- www.mcdoa.org.uk For a long time there has been ment. At the moment we have 12 piles of filthy snow all along the side- one day's diving was carried out off talk of a Royal Engineers Diving old Siebe-Gorman C.A.B.A. sets walks, in some places deep enough Halifax, and a few demonstrations School at Marchwood, and after a which have been condemned so to bury a car, but nothing could given alongside in the harbour lot of hard work this has materialized. many times it is becoming rather daunt 'Jack's' urge to see Broadway, itself. At the moment we are running the more of a joke than a problem in Fifth Avenue, ascend the Empire certain quarters. However, they do We arrived back in Little Creek on basic shallow water diving courses State Building and visit the United which last a fortnight. The first have their advantages in training Nations Headquarters. Unfortun- 30th April and commenced the final lesson we have learned is how diffi- since anyone who can dive in the ately the visit only lasted three days phase of diving operations in Chesa- peake Bay on 3rd May. The weather cult it is to turn out the required murky depths of Southampton water and then we sailed for Newport, number of divers. We were warned using a C.A.B.A. can undoubtedly Rhode Island, arriving on 12th was much warmer by this time and dive anywhere using anything! operations were completed on 7th that we should expect a high failure March. rate and so far this has certainly May. On the 18th Shoulton sailed This, I hope, is only a temporary Diving operations commenced off for Bermuda and arrived two days proved to be the case, barely 50% set-back, for last summer we carried Newport on 21st March and con- later. After three and a half weeks surviving to the end of the course. out trials on three civilian sets in tinued until 21st April. The water in the 'Beautiful Island in the Sun', However, we are determined to keep order to choose a replacement. The temperature here was approximately during which time all the diving was the standard high and the accent is sets tested were the Normalair, the 37° F. and the air temperature varied for pleasure, Shoulton sailed on 14th certainly on quality rather than Siebe-Gorman Mistral and the between 20° F. and 40° F. June, in company with R.F.A. Wave quantity. Heinke Lung. From the run-ashore point of view Chief, and arrived in Portland, Our chief problem, and one which The Mistral and the Heinke Lung Newport was acclaimed by the ship's England on 24th June. seems to beset most divers, is equip- both gave about the same results on company as the best they had ex- perienced during the whole tour, and The ten months trip to the United judging by the numbers of weeping States was not all 'beer and skittles' friends on the jetty when we sailed it as some may well imagine. A trem- can well be believed. The Newport endous amount of work was done people were very pro-British and few and a large percentage of it in ad- if any of the ship's company left verse and extremely cold conditions. without experiencing their very warm The small allowances received were hospitality. insufficient to compensate for the very high cost of living in the States, At 0100 on 24th April Shoulton and most of the places visited were sailed for Halifax, Novia Scotia, dockyard ports. where she arrived on 25th April for a three day operational visit. Many During the 12 months spent in old acquaintances, between the Shoulton well over one thousand D.C.D.U. and the Canadian divers dives were carried out without from H.M.C.S. Granby were renewed. accident or incident. On no occasion I was royally entertained by my were operations held up or delayed Canadian associates and the unit was by divers or diving conditions. The invited to a 'diver's party' by the unit operated through gale, rain, ship's company of Granby which was hail, snow, frost and scorching heat, well attended and thoroughly en- and in every way was a credit to the joyed by the entire assembly. Only branch.

Royal Engineers Diving School, Marchwood by DAVID JONES IKE the sleeping beauty (!) the to do. In view of this I thought the T 4divers of Marchwood have come time had come to take pen to paper out of their long, deep sleep and and write an epistle to our friends `Now who is wearing the best gear?' have at last got a real job Qf work in the Royal Navy. —45— 44 — www.mcdoa.org.uk

A friendly pigeon

Ampulla).

The depth charges were laid by our

For the benefit of those lacking a

big-bellied Roman vessel or jar used by the Romans when taking a bath of the

South-East of Flamborough Head, and brought into Grimsby roads. classical education, an Ampulla is a ion charges for the destruction of `friends' the R.E's in June 1940, and `Sealion' had been successful. We road bridges, if Hitler's operation were intended to be used as demolit-

have now disposed of four of these (See picture of the mine on the deck photograph shows one of our happy charges in the Clacton area and there

are probably more to be found. The (or should I say slap-happy) mem-

Grimsby Roads, March 16th 1961.

W. Y. McLANACHAN, R.N.

— 47 —

op main filling.

sits

Ampulla at

eight miles

B. and M.D.

the Portsmouth

Ampulla,

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER

Mk. 1 Mine on trawler

by

USINESS with

B. and M.D. unit has been fairly

quiet since the last issue of the

However, we had one bright spell

Photo shows mine after removal of detonator, primer and main filling.

been spent in dealing with the usual other miscellaneous items of T.A.S. during the past three months have magendie'.) B magazine. Most of our activities `Odyssey' we disposed of two Mk.7 Command Naval Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit crop of smoke candles, squids and on New Year's. Day (`Mac Hough- flotsam, including a practice torpedo Depth Charges and one Mk.1 mine. miles. During this The mine was trawled up by the

Grimsby trawler

during the week ending March 17th

1961, when we travelled over 1,000 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

where apart

PERFECT FIT

GUARANTEED

who have given, and

who are very sceptical

Marchwood

GOSPORT

Vernon

47 High Street

As regards craft we are lucky. We

To end I should like to thank all

WELL TAILORED

March wood,

together with a new Heinke Mk 4

compressor which arrived before amongst the few veteran divers at Christmas for trials. This standard gear still remains the favourite self-contained. have 100 ton ex-German freighter about the advantages of using only March wood).

from which to 'op in the oggin', and Remember, you will always be very moving lobsters from the vicinity of a M.F.V. for trips to deeper water.

(Any unknown vessels observed re- the Pompey forts may be traced to those at

cellent beer. welcome at are still giving so much help. from dirty water we also have ex-

— 46 —

£7.1.9.6

P.O. UNIFORM

Cash or on Allotment Account

DIAGONAL SERGE SUITS

also at Devonport, Chatham, Portland, Malta, H.M.S. Heron

ALL WOOL

123/6 Queen Street

PORTSMOUTH

ALL SIZES

IN STOCK

GREENBURGH BROS. LTD.

UNBEATABLE VALUE

We are therefore living in high

The rest of our equipment con-

proof than the Mistral, bearing in to be considerably more sapper- chosen. Firstly, the set was thought trial but in the end the Heinke was mind the harsh treatment inflicted by the more virile species of Pongo. reducer which is extremely robust

tilt valve with venturi action. Secondly, the Heinke has a two stage

this they will have arrived, allowing us to banish the old C.A.B.A's to hopes of receiving new Heinke sets, the museum where they belong. and simple and which incorporates a and I hope that by the time you read

For charging purposes we have two

in parallel and pumping into a sists of a reasonable supply of two- way stretches together with fins, etc. three-stage compressors coupled up

common reservoir. Also in our collection are three sets of standard, One's impressions created by the Broadly speaking, part of the

This line of research was accepted

rush of water which buffets the sub-

Institute of Aviation Medicine (wear- external pressures to equalise with a

pre-designed depth, a window blows under pressure and then the Diving turns to descend in the aircraft to ing breathing apparatus) take it in various depths, and try to jettison the ejection seat. fuselage sinks into the water and, at a both pilot's and observer's compart- possibilities of the aircraft imploding first attempt are unforgettable. The in, which allows the internal and ments, is mounted on a steel frame liminary runs are made to check the canopies, and escape by firing the position of being strapped in aircraft team and the Doctors from the into a 60 foot tank of water. Pre- exhilarating experience. were commenced. That is why themselves in the most unusual these tests have proved a somewhat fuselage of an aircraft, containing

Clearance Divers have been finding at odd angles and then being lowered

expansion of air when a man was trials on underwater seat ejection into the water. Nobody will deny suitably ballasted and then lowered shot from greater to lesser depths;

of the shock wave from the ejection gun cartridge; the effect of the drag through the water at high velocity; endangered by driving man and seat the effect on the lungs of rapid

him to swim unimpeded to the and after considerable investigation

of the ejection seat which, if it could Aviation Medicine favoured the use would carry the pilot clear of the into such problems as:— The effect wreckage and subsequently release be made to function under water, surface.

. him from his seat harness and allow

- 49 —

In June 1954 the matter was dis-

Subsequently, various proposals

When the present generation of

pressure between the air trapped water in the inverted attitude. It was explosive charges to the cutaway part

becoming a little apprehensive about of the fueslage, enclosing the cockpit; of recent ditching incidents. The ward, ranging from the siting of the possible outcome of ditching. readily appreciate that aircrew were cussed at the Ministry of Supply and failed to escape, and there appeared concluded that a practical investi- the abandoning of a submerged air- latter revealed that 30% of aircrew from aircraft which had entered the gation of the problems involved in which would allow the water to enter the cockpit rapidly, and thus prevent within it and the water surrounding the sinking aircraft. The Institute of Naval aircraft was visualised, the at the same time a survey was made involved in any kind of ditching to be no record of successful escapes the creation of a large differential craft was an urgent requirement. to the provision of large flood valves can visualize the problem of escaping from a London 'bus dropped into the exceeded 15 tons, about double the for facilitating escape were put for- further, for their design necessitated weight of a London 'bus, and if you sea from a height of 50 feet you will

canopy locked, and their weight taking off and landing with the pilot's porary buoyancy are those few com- situation was observed to deteriorate but basically little more than highly partments of the wings and the mechanical and electrical equipment, and the cockpit.

being not only exceedingly heavy, the only structures providing tem- fuselage which are not occupied by

no obstruction of flooding up, and specialised drainpipes, offer little or www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Fruin

Glen

our news, airing our views."

One of the hazards of operating

And discretion prevents me from

"This I'm pleased to say concludes

plunge into the sea with little or the past, aircraft have tended to no warning, from an altitude which renders escape by parachute out aircraft from ships is the liability of the aircraft to take a sudden of the question. Fortunately, in of the jet plane has considerably

has afforded the crew a fair chance of effecting an escape. The advent hard labour. float for a considerable period which reduced this tendency, for the engines

at

— 48 —

by J.W

March 15th 1961

Trials

Diving

VER the past 18 months, operated at the Admiralty Hydro

several teams of divers have

Preparing to raise a Mk. 7 Depth Charge from Golf Green Road, Jaywich, near Clacton,

bers ascending from the 20ft. deep

of the charges involves considerable Glen Fruin, assisting the Institute of course, is always well tamped with ballistic Research establishment at are usually found. The hole, of sand and sand bags, so the removal shaft in which these depth charges their investigation into the problem of escape from ditched aircraft. This Fleet and has proved once again the O has entailed the use of techniques far beyond the general scope of the usual day to day diving operations in the Aviation Medicine, and Industry, in flexibility of the Clearance Diver. sur-

will

Protector

surveyed oil-

Protector,

Shackleton,

6 single skinned and cost £7

1

/

3

The sea temperature averaging 40

We have also tested U.B.A. at a

There is undoubtedly money to be

There are still another two months If you see anyone sitting around in

R.R.S.

we have surveyed piers, surveyed lighters, surveyed

veyed moorings, surveyed . . . it's not unity of comparing a neoprene wet the diving but writing the reports that's the hard work.

is degrees, I have had a good opport- ventional woollens. The suit, which undoubtedly superior to woollens proved the most comfortable under- putting it on. For swimming it is

in tailored kit form, is a skin fit and the advantage that, in event of a wet suit, worn as an undersuit, with con- garment I have yet tried. It also has immersion. dip, it remains comfortable and in

and gives good protection against forty its efficiency dropped noticeably of holding it under the hot tap before number of small jobs to be done, fact works better. I make a practice temperature of 29 and found no particular cold weather tests carried cold. I found, however, that for after about quarter of an hour's static work in temperatures below via South Africa, but I think that the made in the Falklands by a couple billet with plenty of scope. for, apart from the considerable of divers with gear to about 120 feet there are over 250 wrecks around the out just let us know. opportunities of diving will be few. which are occupied by the trip home snags at all. If anyone wants any of this commission to go, most of islands. However, until someone sets up in opposition, continue to be a pretty good diving a cold bath and complaining its too

51 —

which have ac-

Philomel,

On the way back to Stanley, the

We sailed then to South Georgia

As usual, when there is diving

Besides repairs to the government

board — which meant death to any-

skipper of the boat from which we thing that moved within gun range. had been diving handed round his guns — he had a veritable arsenal on the whaler, equipped with rifle, surveyors whom we had embarked for our first sight of icebergs, pen-

guins, and more diving, this time to erect a tide pole for some of Owen's at Gib. We landed over the bows of knives, as the day before, a leopard leopard seal can skin a penguin with order to get at the occupants. How- two tons which make revolting whale and has been known to the benefit of the uninitiated, a one flick of its head, will attack a only elephant seals, weighing up to me, we hear that Sam Hum has harpoon gun and newly sharpened seal had been seen on the beach. For ever, leopard seals were there none, noises when disturbed. That reminds attempt to board small boats in retired. Give him our regards if you time the spectators consisted of a M.F.V. going on there is an audience. This these amateurs throught they were see him. number of interested penguins and vances at Ben Thornley who hasn't doing, as well as a crowd of female fur seals which made amorous ad- pole up again. We had rigged it in later came a despairing cry from the Would we please come and put the

shags, who obviously wondered what we eventually got the tide-pole erected shaved for seven months. However, bathing pool. counted for quite a number of dives,

and returned to the ship. Five days the middle of an elephant seal's surveyors, who we had left ashore. www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

South

WARNER•

off`

A.

LT.-CDR. S.

We got our gear eventually solely I won't say any more on this

Apart from one practice dive The first job, four days after our

During the trials it is practice for

-..

plete the job, usual, no one had marked the spot but everyone knew exactly where it

was — it took us three hours to find before leaving home and another at it and another four hours to com- reached Port Stanley. The cruise the magazine. machinery and baling strip which had been lost when the boat into which the Diving schools who parted with cases of spares for sheep-shearing through the hard work of the stores Gib., no work was possible until we America was enough to keep any once we arrived in the Falkland arrival, was the salvaging of several it was being loaded capsized. As down the west coast the country and by the generosity of diving team on the surface. However, their own gear to get us operational. subject or you will have to enlarge Islands, the work came thick and fast. Hopewell found, when he had to him during one run, and C.P.O. jealously hoarded in stores all over clerk who prised out equipment, pilot does not wear an underwater oxygen supply which should cover the immersion. breathe water for two minutes when fact have a very efficient built-in requirement to breathe during his breathing set when flying, he does in

breathing set in the shape of his the subjects in the aircraft to wear breathing apparatus and although a secondary breach disintegrated on

his breathing set let him down.

5Q

Protector'

so —

Protector,

H.M.S.

10th March 1961.

must be some time since you

`Sorry, Sir, we haven't any.

`Very well, I'll take the old type.' `Splendid, I'll take a dozen.' `Sorry, Sir, the order for pro-

`About your demand for masks,

Scene: E5.

Next came the problem of filling I was a trifle mystified as to what It

All very simple and straight-

They're obsolete, you know.'

duction hasn't gone in yet.' Sir, 3384 is obsolete. You will have to take the new wrap-round, wide- vision model.'

DEAR ED., have heard from the here are just a few lines about our I was joining when I first saw the it, all gear having been returned.

hanger but there was a nice compart- garden shed on the back end as a diving activities this season. diving store. Then the flight joined ment down below about 7 x 6 x 3

ship but quickly earmarked the and said sorry but that was the which should do me very nicely.

Commander Rawlins found when the be when finalised, but, as with all research works, things do not always go according to plan as Surgeon

paratively gentle push one is clear of anism securing the seat straps and forward, which it undoubtably will to dislodge their face masks. Sud- After what appears to be a com- the aircraft and all that has to be done all over and one then -ejects the swim to the surface. denly the rush of noise and water is is to release the quick-acting mech- jects inside the fuselage and threatens canopy and fires the ejection seat. www.mcdoa.org.uk hot you'll know where he comes Sgt. McKerracher (S.C.1.) Placings were :- from, so till then, A.B. Thornley (D.2.) 220 Yards. Leading Seaman Audoire-4th Good luck; L./S. Williams (D.3.) A.B. Setchell (D.3.) 100 Yards Butterfly. Leading Seaman Brassington-2nd. THE ICICLES. A.B. Watson (S.W.D.) 100 Yards Backstroke. Leading Seaman Blaylock-1st Lt. Christmas, D.O. (F.D.) A.B. Williams (S.W.D.) Petty Officer Holland-3rd. Lt.-Cdr. Burley (F.D.) M.E. Kain (S.W.D.) 220 Yards Breaststroke. Leading Seaman Andrews-2nd Petty Officer Holland-3rd. 100 Yards Free style. Able Seaman White-2nd. Swimming Gala—H.M.S. 'Vernon' 1961 27 Yards Butterfly. Leading Seaman Wade-1st. NCE again 1 am pleased to report that Deepwater have taken the swim- Leading Seaman Brassington-2nd. ming trophy. The points, Deepwater 52, Ordnance 25, Maintenance 17, 4 x 2 Medley Relay. Deep water-1st. OWillis and Sea Trials 7, Long Course 4. Our points were obtained from 67 Yards Breaststroke. Leading Seaman Wade-1st. the following team. 67 Yards Backstroke. Petty Officer Holland-1st Petty Officer Holland Leading Seaman Blaylock Leading Seaman Blaylock-2nd. Petty Officer Clark Leading Seaman Brassington Able Seaman White Leading Seaman Davis 6 x 2 Relay. Deepwater-1st. Able Seaman Charwell Leading Seaman Andrews Able Seaman Wade Leading Seaman Audoire Congratulations to them all. Able Seaman Vanderson CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MCKINLAY, Sports Representative. DEEP-DOWN COMFORT... IN EQUIPMENT YOU CAN TRUST! HERE IS ONE OF THE BEST SELECTIONS OF UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT—AND IT WILL PLEASE YOU, WHETHER YOU'RE AN AMATEUR OR THE KEENEST OF ENTHUSIASTS. YOU ARE INVITED TO LOOK AROUND ANY OF OUR BRANCHES, TAKE YOUR TIME, AND CHOOSE THE BEST

STOCKISTS OF ALL THE LEADING MANUFACTURERS LUNGS, WET & DRY SUITS, GUNS. MASKS, FINS, ETC

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—52— -53— www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk If in your facepiece there appear The diver prone to `Oxy Pete' 'Film Making' A tiger shark with evil leer, Must ne'er consume his 02 neat, There's not so much for you to do He must dilute with inert gas ATHOMS down in Gibraltar important prize. Crabb, about to Though prayer may be of use to you. If 02 limit he must pass. Bay is a Bomber which crashed receive a knife thrust from Notari, is Fon take off. On board is the body saved by the timely arrival (like the The octopus is wont to gloat `Nii.ro Narks', another threat of Polish General Sykorski and his U.S. Cavalry) of his trusted friend At lone swimmers without float With resolution must be met, brief case, containing the plans of the Stoker Knowles. His inky jet he will discharge Self control must be exerted, impending Second FRONT. Lieuten- The Italians have had enough by The swimmers course to camouflage. Arrest for drunkeness averted. ant L. P. K. Crabb, R.N.V.R., and this time and Notari, counting the his newly formed diving team oper- bodies of his negatively buoyant When head on meeting with a whale When diving with the greatest ease ating at Gibraltar have been ordered comrades, signals the retreat. Crabb A sense of caution should prevail, Beware the evil known as 'Squeeze', to recover the brief case at all costs. and his victorious team rise slowly Jonah's fate may be expected The choice is merely don't go fast Italian Frogmen operating secretly to the surface. For those whose course is not Or join the ranks of them that's from the interned merchant ship And so ends another scene in the corrected. `passed'. Olterra at Algercir and have been Romulus film 'The Silent Enemy'. attacking Allied shipping in the Bay, In danger with not time to wait observed the crash and the recovery Starring Laurence Harvey, Dawn Close all valves and suit inflate, attempt. Appreciated that some- Adams, John Clemments and Michael Exhale while rising, it is proper thing of importance must be in the Craig, not forgetting of course the If gas wants venting, just don't stop aircraft they decide to investigate. Mediterranean Fleet Clearance Div- her. At the very moment when Crabb has ing Team who were on temporary loan found the all important brief case, to the film company to do the under- six black rubber covered swimmers water acting. The F.C.D.O. at the appear out of the murk (to suitable time, now I. Diving H.M.S. Vernon, music of course). A deadly under- doubling for Laurence Harvey and Divers' Employment Bureau water fight then takes place. Pairs of the team were good'ns or bad'ns swimmers swirl and grapple in a depending on who could grow the The Bureau continues to function, and if you wish your name to be macabre slow motion ballet with longest sideboards. P.O. Clark recorded please forward the undermentioned to the Employment Bureau. only death to the loser. Breathing played Notari. L.Seaman Carter played Stoker Knowles. Applicants must be either serving R.N. Divers or Ex-R.N. Divers tubes are cut and face masks are who are subscribers to the Diving Magazine. smashed. Italians die horrible deaths. Film making is all jolly fine but it Notari, the leader of the Italians gets a bit wearing after two months. Full Name discovers Crabb inside the aircraft The above scene lasted four minutes with the brief case and another on the screen. It took two weeks to Rating Off. No. Age individual battle is joined for the all shoot. Time Expired or Expires Rule of the Road Private Address (Divers Only) Willing to Serve Abroad by 'B.F.' Diving Rate Date and Place Qualified If to your starboard there appear The diver equipped in Standard Gear A `makey learn' complete with spear Cannot manoevre to keep clear, Equipment Experienced in You may proceed without concern Swimmers therefore give wide berth For he will miss you, way astern. To helmeted figures of great girth. Diving Experience The same applies to Iron Clads If a mermaid you have seen Those steel walled atmospheric cads, This information will be filed and referred to as and when diving Restrain all thoughts that are obscene Tis true their observation's good employment is required. The Bureau does not assure you of a job, but Unless you wish to dearly pay, But they can't sidestep as they it will advise applicants on vacant diving situations. Give to her the right of way. should. — 54 --- — 55 — www.mcdoa.org.uk

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

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