doi:10.3723/ut.29.101 International Journal of the Society for Underwater Technology, Vol 29, No 2, pp 101–102, 2010

Another not make it physically an easy Engineering Applications’, ‘Div- read and is best suited to either ing Equipment Manufacturers’, Book Review Whitstable a formal library situation or to ‘Notable Divers’ and an area dip into on many short occasions much misunderstood during Trade: An such as a ‘coffee table’; however, early diving, ‘Physiology and Illustrated the book is a serious text and medicine’. Within these sections should be respected as such. there are too many aspects to History of The basic theme of the book, cover in a short review but they and specifically in the first sec- include development of military Helmet Diving tion, describes the development diving by Col Pasley, Royal of helmet diving in Whitstable Engineers (yes, the Army taught John Bevan and how it spread from there to the Navy to dive!), the Liverpool the rest of the United Kingdom Salvage Company, details of and indeed to the rest of the main equipment manufacturers’ Published by SUBMEX, Gosport, world. The early development in work (e.g. and 2009 Whitstable is split into six peri- CE Heinke) and divers such as ods commencing with the Deane William Walker and his work ISBN 978 0 9508242 5 9 brothers from 1829 to 1856 mov- under Winchester Cathedral. 436 pages; £79 ing through other family peri- The early history of diving ods to the Whitstable Salvage illnesses is the shortest and least This book is a significant histor- Company from 1898 to 1926. illustrated section of the book. ical study of early helmet diving Whilst describing the develop- It is an anecdotal account of by the author, John Bevan. It ment of diving in Whitstable the the early experiences of diving may be considered as a contin- book conveniently also covers disorders, tragically illustrating uation of his previous historical the spread of diving to other UK how naïve the early understand- text ‘The Infernal Diver’ which areas and internationally, includ- ing was. It culminates in the was based on the invention and ing the diving conducted during significant work development of the diving hel- the Crimean war. To help the of JS Haldane and co-workers. In met in 1829 by John and Charles reader with this, the worldwide this section I must agree with the Deane; the ‘Infernal Diver’ so developments during each of author that, fortunately, diving named because of the propensity the six periods are conveniently medicine has progressed from of John Deane to create under- shaded grey to clearly separate the use of green tea, leeches water explosions. Before starting to read the them. and turpentine enemas for the book you wonder why a history As may be expected from a treatment of ! of helmet diving is entitled ‘An- historical text it is packed with in- Other than the composite other Whitstable Trade’. This is formation, dates and significant sepia photograph on the dust soon resolved in the first section events. By intent the author has cover, all illustrations are black of the book covering the Whit- named many of the divers, key and white with one or more stable Connection and how the characters and vessels involved in illustrations on most pages. seafarers based in this seaside the development of helmet div- Unfortunately, as may be town in Kent were already expert ing; this gives a very human per- expected with historical source in dragging for wreckage in the spective to the history. However, material, some are soft and Thames, thus diving provided a with the mass of factual data the unclear, but it does include the natural expansion of their capa- reader may find it challenging earliest known photograph of a bility and ‘another trade’. The to assimilate the overall principle helmet diver. title is a quote from Charles of the ‘history’ of early helmet Where appropriate the text is Dickens in his weekly Journal ‘All diving. annotated with references which the year round’ on 4 January Whilst the first section of the are listed at the end of each sec- 1860 entitled ‘Another Whit- book is chronologically based, tion. The book has a collection of stable Trade’ where he describes the rest of the book takes much 11 Appendices covering associ- the divers based in Whitstable. more of a matrix approach ated information such as Deane’s The book is in hardback and and covers the historical diving manual, Whitstable ship- has 436 quality A4 pages which is development with sections on ping company notes and Robert an appreciable . This does ‘Major Organisations’, ‘Civil Henry Davis’s patents.

101 Bevan. Another Whitstable Trade

To help navigate the book, Overall the book is a well with factual information that can and as is essential in a historical presented authoritative text on be read and used by an enthusi- text for reference use, there is the early development of helmet ast, and of general interest to a a general index together with diving and is a milestone in doc- casual reader. specific indices for Helmet divers umenting the history of diving. It and Vessels. The indices also presents the chronology as well indicate if there is an illustration as the characters, organisations (Reviewed by Gavin Anthony of the named diver, vessel or and equipment involved. It is Principal Consultant, Diving and event. both a reference book, packed Life Support, QinetiQ )

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