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.41=1=111=/IN (1) www.mcdoa.org.uk

No. 1

Cartoonists.

Secretary.

BRASSINGTON,

J.

Editor.

A half-cabin launch is our working The procedure is as follows:-

platform. An anchor is dropped at a

members to dive without Scuba to

greater depths in safety. bour, 105 feet deep. spot in the middle of Sydney Har-

-(3)—

April 1959

Treasurer.

Editor's Notes

EDITORIAL STAFF

New South Wales

DEEP DIVING AFTER HYPERVENTILATION

Underwater Research Group

to be regretted that this issue of the Magazine

Lieutenant A. C. OTLEY,

Chief Petty Officer R. L. BENFIELD, Instructor Lieutenant R. M. SMART, B.A., R.N., Able Seaman A. LYDEN and L/Sea. M.

The committee feels that unless those teams and

As the Magazine is now read in many countries we We can only hope that this appeal will be the last

R.N. Diving Magazine

recently been commenced by

series of deep-diving trials has seven volunteer members of

was a month late in going to print. This was because T is we hadn't sufficient material, and even now the

A

I

diving ships which contribute spasmodically send in number of publications each year to three or even two

number of articles leaves much to be desired. articles for each issue, it will be necessary to reduce the issues. This would be a retrograde step and indeed a

black mark against the Diving Branch in general. Vol 7 hope that overseas subscribers will follow the example required.

of our Australian friends and send in articles of general

the Underwater Research Group of interest. N.S.W. to observe the effects on the

Scuba, with a view to training human body in a deep dive without

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

5 9 3

6

37 43

39

34 24

28 20 33

12 23

10 17 15

PAGE

34-35

•

KONG

'LOCHINVAR'

l/N11

HONG

—(2)—

FUNNEL LINE

Contents

DIVING

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A DIVER'S DREAM'

Fi I I I

LADY A I' In

ADMIRALTY

4

COMMAND ft AND M,D, I A TRIP TO THE SUN MED. FLEET DIVING SCHOOL REPORT ON DIVERS' DINNER H.M.S. `RECLAIM'

EDITOR'S NOTES THE 1958 LONG T.A.S. COURSE ...

UNDERWATER RESEARCH GROUP, NEW SOUTH WALES ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION

ODE TO A DIVER www.mcdoa.org.uk

1. Stand-by Divers Down. Observat ions. Scuba-equipped divers are sent 1. Stand-by dive, . „I. ,..1 that mark and nodded that he was quite the pain recurred momentarily on down a heavily weighted 'Guide as each subject 11 I ab- all right and it was noticed that his yawning or sneezing or with certain Rope' marked every ten feet so that domen appeared I , appar- ears were no longer troubling him movements such as getting into a they are just in sight of one another. ently due to water pi,. 1,, , • Forcing and that he showed no signs yet of car or lifting a heavy object. Their job is to keep alert: his softer parts again'.1 his dia- gasping. Suddenly, and without any The pain was diagnosed as being (a) in watching the subject as he phragm and squeezing up his lungs. warning, he blacked out and he was caused by a slipped disc and manip- descends and again as he We would like to know beyond what seen to drift away from the rope and ulation treatment proved successful. ascends depth it is inadvisable to dive on one slowly sink at about fifteen feet below The subject has now completely (b) in keeping an eye on the breath from the surface and what the surface. A stand-by diver swain recovered and has since been diving stand-by diver above and be- would occur if this depth were to be out and took him to the surface. He regularly. low. exceeded. Although a man looked was as stiff as a pole and not breath- (c) in watching for sharks, for most odd at a depth of about eighty ing; his face, and lips were blue and NOTE: which Sydney Harbour is no- feet, nobody reported undue dis- hiS lips were tightly drawn. There Surg Cdr Miles of the Royal Naval torious. comfort or ill effects from pressure. was blood from his nose, but none Physiological Laboratory was asked Immediately 2. One accident has to' be re- from his mouth. to comment on this accident. We artificial respiration (Holger- Neilson 2. Subject Hyperventilates. ported, apart from which, no other now include his statement. The subject lies flat on his back method) was started. His mouth on troubles were experienced (all sub- inspection was found to be clear of "If one hyperventilates to the and breathes deeply and rapidly until jects had a gasping sensation as they extent of finger tingling a consider- he is fairly dizzy and feels tingling neared the surface). This near fatal any obstruction and fortunately no water had entered his lungs. He able amount of CO2 is washed out so in the fingers. accident involved loss of conscious- revived after about five minutes and that many minutes may elapse before Subject Down. ness under water without warning the build-up returns to a sufficient 3. after a prolonged immersion. commenced breathing with diffi- culty. He complained of pain in the level to stimulate breathing again. He takes his final big breath and, This is a common trick to increase adjusting his mask, he slips over the The subject hyperventilated for middle of the chest on taking a deep two minutes and was just about to breath and pain high up in the breath-holding time. Unfortunately, side of the launch. Flippers are worn it is possible that if exercise is but no lead belt. He swims down the enter the water when he was told to middle of his back on any movement. relax as one stand-by (liver was not He struggled to his feet, leaned over carried out in the interval the shot-rope to a certain depth and available oxygen in the lungs may returns to the surface. in readiness, Flail a minute went by the side of the boat and vomited. before they were ready below. The For an hour he was in a very dazed be used up before CO2 rises suffi- Each subject does no more than subject was still fairly dizzy but the state, but was able to walk from the ciently to make it impossible to two dives per day but his dives are finger tingling sensation had passed landing place to a car 100 yards continue breath holding and con- progressively deeper. To date, one off. The general opinion was that he away; he was then taken to a doctor sciousness may be lost as a result of man has reached the bottom, ior) should lie down and hyperventilate for a check-up. Two hours after the anoxia." feet, and returned to the surface afresh until he felt tingling once more. accident his right eye became very "This undoubtedly happened in without trouble. This he did for a further two minutes bloodshot and this took three weeks this case but I cannot see any A stop-watch is used to record the and then he (lived over the side. His to disapear. X-ray of the chest and connection between this accident and time of hyperventilation, of descent, last words were ' I 'm very dizzy, so back revealed no abnormality, but the slipped disc." and of ascent, of each subject. As watch me'. Nil as soon as he went soon as the subject reaches the in, he proceeded to claw hand over required depth to do his return hand down the rope. Stand-by Report on D iver's Dinner journey, the stand-by diver at that divers saw that he was having FTER the undoubted success of The dinner was held on Thursday consider; ilile point signals immediately to the trouble clearing his ears the dinner held in 1957 it was 11th December 1958 at Kimbells surface. Fresh stand-by divers are in 111;11 he often checked his de- A Corner House, Portsmouth. Before ,-;cent decided to repeat the venture sent down from time to time before clawed up one or two and if possible make it an annual the evening really got under way staging becomes necessary for any- wil 11 much swallowing, head- everybody congregated in the 'York- ',11 ;l hint; event. That the number attending one. This avoids wasting air on ;Ind ear-wiggling. At the this year (one hundred and forty- shire Grey,' the divers rendezvous staging. The time that each stand-by lil ty toot mark he gave up and two) was approximately double that in Pompey, to 'wet their thrapples' to diver is below is recorded and his st art ist t move upwards. He passed of last year is an indication of the and ensure that all outstanding observations noted. Ilie slim( 1-lw (liver at the thirty foot. popularity and soundness of this drinking debts were settled. By the decision. amount that was being consumed —(5)— www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk an observer must have thought that make himself Ileanl a con- closing time had been put forward tinual buzz of wisecracks, Ile spoke four hours. Eventually, the buzz got on the future of Deep Diving in the round that free drinks were being Royal Navy and outlined Illy plans offered across the road and the and proposals that have been put resultant rush was a sight to see. forward for the divers concerned. Amid uproarious applause, CPO Two emeriti S of D's, Capt W. 0. `Ginger' Bryant rose to reply on Shelford and Cdr R. Harland, were behalf of the steamers. Everybody among the principal guests. The was full of expectation, as this well- others were representatives from all liked figure had spoken so well at the the leading diving firms, two Nor- previous dinner. He certainly lived wegian Diving Officers who by good up to his reputation. fortune were in U.K. at that time and several Royal Engineer divers Before Surg Cdr S. Miles from from Marchwood. R.N.P.L. rose to deliver his speech, the port was passed again. His Although the majority of those inimitable style was a huge success attending were from the Portsmouth and the anecdote which he told will Command it was very apparent that no doubt be retold many times to Chatham, Devonport and Scotland Divers who couldn't attend. were well represented. Unfor- Everyone now clamoured for Lt- tunately, the Scottish contingent Cdr 'Bill' Filer to say a few words didn't wear kilts but there was no and Cdr Carr obligingly called him. mistaking them from the ease with Lt-Cdr Filer had spent a great deal Which they drank the whisky while of time organising the dinner and nonchalantly relating tales of haggis nobody missed this opportunity of hunts. showing their appreciation. Throughout the six-course meal, After dinner old friends and new the wines flowed freely, and by the divers got together, over ever full time the speeches were due every- glasses and recounted many yarns of body was very mellow. Cdr J. R. past commissions until the dread Carr, the present Superintendent of hour of midnight when the bar shut. Diving, in his capacity as Chairman In conclusion many thanks must welcomed the guests. Capt Shelford go to Lt-Cdr Filer for his hard work replied to the toast and the port was in making the 1958 Dinner such a passed once more. success, and also to Kimbells Corner Lt-Cdr H. Wilson, Head of the House for being so forebearing Diving School, then attempted to against such odds. F. J.D.K. The 1958 Long T.A.S. Course OR the last three weeks of the course, however, their spirits were Christmas term we had the slightly dampened and due deference Fpleasure of introducing most of was being shown to the course in- the Long Course to diving. These structors in case any new tortures stalwart officers were an extremely should be thought up. happy, wise-cracking crowd at the In the Wardroom too, it was outset, especially during the theory noticeable that their course officer, of diving lectures. By the end of the Lieut Burstall, was consuming large

—(6)— www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk r...11•01.1111...... 1101110.11.11.1..•••••••••••••••••••11,...1111.....•••...111,.....1.1.•• .1. .tra • • . quantities of ale without ever ap- (f) 'Horsea, Horsea don't you proaching the bar and after dinner stop.' was frequently invited to go ashore The results of this investigation o There are so many advantages • • • with his course. To glean a little were most illuminating but another information on why this was happen- test paper may be set to discover . . . in opening an account with Bernards ing he asked the course to write why all the bonhomie, free drink and about one of the following. For through Bernards the complete Uniform and invitations have ceased since Christ- (a) Why I like diving. mas! Civilian Clothing requirements and practically every (b) What diving can do for you. We take the liberty to publish on other need of the serviceman and his family may be this page and on page 15 two of the (c) What diving has done to me. masterpieces with full copyright be- obtained on credit terms at no additional charge ex- (d) The rapture of deep water. fore the popular press learn of their cepting where H.P. Terms apply. Payment may be (e) A mid-winter Night's Dive. worth and make a bid for them. made through an Admiralty Allot- ment or Banker's Order. Ode to a Diver The long course diver went under the As he hammered his fingers again and Bernards provide a truly personal sea ' again, service through their branches at In a beautiful rubbery suit; As he hammered his fingers again. He was full of despair The water was chilling, home and abroad and a Mail Order And a gallon of air, And he was unwilling, Department at Harwich, while only With a hammer and chisel to boot ! And the link was unwilling as well ! He tried to examine those weapons So he threw it away goods of the highest reputation are so odd, And came up for the day, supplied. As he swallowed his own catarrh, In the knowledge that diving is `Chisel, Oh Chisel, Oh Chisel you sod ! HELL . ." Make a point of obtaining full de- What a horrible Chisel you are I' An SWD in the Deepzvater tails of the Bernard Service then He hammered away for an hour of Didn't dive quite as well as he the day oughta, lose no time in opening an account At the link on the end of his chain ; Said `P — Please don't scold, with Bernards, for— And he lay in the mud I'm so b — bloody c — cold In an ocean of blood I'm really quite good out in Malta!' YOU REALLY DO BUY BETTER 4 AT BERNARDS

C. H. BERNARD & SONS LTD 6-8 QUEEN STREET, PORTSMOUTH Telephone 23535 and at 33 Branches at Home and Abroad Head Office: ANGLIA HOUSE, HARWICH, ESSEX Member of the I.N.T.A. And now Professor Green will give us a lecture on 'Sharks and their Habits' —(8)- —(9)—

www.mcdoa.org.uk

If a a If

This This

A well tried and efficient procedure procedure efficient and tried well A

In the Silvester method the patient patient the method Silvester the In

As already stated the Schaefer Schaefer the stated already As

the rocker the patient may be trans- be may patient the rocker the

ferred to it when it is ready and and ready is it when it to ferred

ficial respiration forthwith. forthwith. respiration ficial

rigged but commence manual_ arti- arti- manual_ commence but rigged

can easily treat two victims. It is is It victims. two treat easily can not wait for the apparatus to be be to apparatus the for wait not

second operator is avilable to set up up set to avilable is operator second

important however that one should should one that however important

Once the apparatus is rigged it takes takes it rigged is apparatus the Once

little effort to maintain and one man man one and maintain to effort little

tents flop up and down causing the the causing down and up flop tents

drawing air in and out of the lungs. lungs. the of out and in air drawing

diaphragm to act like a piston piston a like act to diaphragm

that it can be rocked through 45° 45° through rocked be can it that

either side of the horizontal. It It horizontal. the of side either

on a plank or stretcher so arranged arranged so stretcher or plank a on

works because the abdominal con- abdominal the because works

is Eve's rocking method. method. rocking Eve's is simply involves placing the victim victim the placing involves simply

recommended because the tongue tongue the because recommended

flow, and drainage of the air passages passages air the of drainage and flow, cannot take place freely. freely. place take cannot

gives good ventilation but cannot be be cannot but ventilation good gives

may easily fall back to obstruct air air obstruct to back fall easily may

is combined with arm lifting. This This lifting. arm with combined is

maximum ventilation and is there- is and ventilation maximum

fore not recommended. recommended. not fore

lies on his back and chest pressure pressure chest and back his on lies

OTHER METHODS. METHODS. OTHER

method of back-pressure, though though back-pressure, of method

simple to perform, does not give give not does perform, to simple

technique commonly used. used. commonly technique

form than the back-pressure arm-lift arm-lift back-pressure the than form

Though equally effective this method method this effective equally Though

requires a little more effort to per- to effort more little a requires

hips are lowered is driven out again. again. out driven is lowered are hips pulls the diaphragm down, drawing drawing down, diaphragm the pulls

air into the lungs which when the the when which lungs the into air

abdominal contents. This in turn turn in This contents. abdominal bulge due to the weight of the the of weight the to due bulge

the operator's thigh. This arches the the arches This thigh. operator's the

back and allows the belly wall to to wall belly the allows and back

cribed, the hips are raised about six six about raised are hips the cribed,

after compressing the chest as des- as chest the compressing after

beside the patient's buttocks and., and., buttocks patient's the beside inches off the ground or rolled on to to on rolled or ground the off inches

—(11)— —(11)—

An alternative which can be used, used, be can which alternative An

The Holgar Neilson method does does method Neilson Holgar The

When respiration is paralysed, paralysed, is respiration When

especially if an arm or shoulder is is shoulder or arm an if especially the cycle can be repeated. repeated. be can cycle the

injured, is for the operator to kneel kneel to operator the for is injured,

draws more air in. When the arms arms the When in. air more draws

are released this air is expelled and and expelled is air this released are

attachments expands the chest and and chest the expands attachments upwards. This by means of muscular muscular of means by This upwards.

lifted and pulled forwards and and forwards pulled and lifted

roughly level with the shoulders, are are shoulders, the with level roughly

mits air to re-enter the lungs after after lungs the re-enter to air mits

which the elbows, which are lying lying are which elbows, the which

expelled. Releasing the pressure per- pressure the Releasing expelled.

the chest. chest. the

compressed with the hands on either either on hands the with compressed

downwards and the operator kneeling kneeling operator the and downwards

pulled downwards. It is therefore therefore is It downwards. pulled

side of the back of the ribs and air is is air and ribs the of back the of side

in two stages with the victim face face victim the with stages two in

in fact achieve this. It is carried out out carried is It this. achieve fact in

at the head. First the chest is forcibly forcibly is chest the First head. the at

obvious that to get the maximum maximum the get to that obvious benefit a method must be employed employed be must method a benefit

produced if the diaphragm can be be can diaphragm the if produced

which will both compress and expand expand and compress both will which

driven out again due to the recoil of of recoil the to due again out driven

the ribs. A similar effect will be be will effect similar A ribs. the

(Schaefer's method which used to be be to used which method (Schaefer's

the chest can be expanded from its its from expanded be can chest the

resting position, more air will be be will air more position, resting

manoeuvre alone.) Furthermore, if if Furthermore, alone.) manoeuvre

sucked in, which on release is is release on which in, sucked

widely taught depends on this this on depends taught widely

chest wall, maintained by the ribs, ribs, the by maintained wall, chest

is released will draw fresh air in. in. air fresh draw will released is

will force air out and when pressure pressure when and out air force will

maximum capacity of air. The The air. of capacity maximum is a springy cage which if compressed compressed if which cage springy a is

pulled out of the water, the muscles muscles the water, the of out pulled

lungs contain about 60% of their their of 60% about contain lungs

of the chest is then such that the the that such then is chest the of

inactive and relaxed. The position position The relaxed. and inactive

which normally move the chest are are chest the move normally which

when an apparently drowned man is is man drowned apparently an when

reason for this may be appreciated appreciated be may this for reason

if the mechanisms involved are are involved mechanisms the if studied. studied.

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It must take pre- pre- take must It

that, in all cases where a a where cases all in that,

Many methods of artificial respir- artificial of methods Many

It is therefore of the utmost utmost the of therefore is It

The life-saving requirement in in requirement life-saving The

time it must be insured that there there that insured be must it time

most widely used and accepted is is accepted and used widely most

CHOICE OF METHOD METHOD OF CHOICE

that of Holgar Neilson and the the and Neilson Holgar of that Even so it is best to have the subject subject the have to best is it so Even

artificial respiration is, therefore, that that therefore, is, respiration artificial delay. delay. back and eases drainage. drainage. eases and back

most useful because they need no no need they because useful most books. The manual methods are the the are methods manual The books.

and out of the mouth. For example, example, For mouth. the of out and

as this prevents the tongue falling falling tongue the prevents this as

be obtained from most first-aid hand hand first-aid most from obtained be removing wet clothing. At the same same the At clothing. wet removing

giving oxygen, draining out water or or water out draining oxygen, giving it would be useless trying to give give to trying useless be would it

lying prone with the face to one side side one to face the with prone lying

ation are taught, details of which can can which of details taught, are ation

cedence over all other procedures procedures other all over cedence

it should be commenced without without commenced be should it is no obstruction to the flow of air in in air of flow the to obstruction no is

ficial respiration must be commenced commenced be must respiration ficial

whose face was buried in wet sand. sand. wet in buried was face whose artificial respiration to a victim victim a to respiration artificial

additional apparatus and can be be can and apparatus additional

In drowning and other forms of of forms other and drowning In

person is found who has stopped stopped has who found is person

breathing, seconds count and arti- and count seconds breathing, such as examining the patient, patient, the examining as such

immediately. immediately.

less than in salt water. In most most In water. salt in than less

cases some little time will have have will time little some cases

victim. so so victim.

water drowning it is believed to be be to believed is it drowning water

tween respiratory and cardiac failure. failure. cardiac and respiratory tween be started within the interval be- interval the within started be ceeds three minutes and in fresh fresh in and minutes three ceeds

elapsed before help reaches the the reaches help before elapsed

asphyxia this interval rarely ex- rarely interval this asphyxia effective artificial respiration must must respiration artificial effective

importance to tealize that to be be to that tealize to importance

started without delay. Of these the the these Of delay. without started

Respiration Respiration

If If

—(10)— —(10)—

SURGEON COMMANDER S. MILES MILES S. COMMANDER SURGEON

by by

Artificial Artificial

HE term 'artificial respiration' is is respiration' 'artificial term HE

maximum benefit from its applic- its from benefit maximum

self explanatory, but to obtain obtain to but explanatory, self

Respiration can be maintained maintained be can Respiration In life both these processes are are processes these both life In

The immediate function of respir- of function immediate The

circulation can carry it to the brain. brain. the to it carry can circulation

the circulation of the blood. blood. the of circulation the

respiratory centre will, revive. Once Once revive. will, centre respiratory

the heart and circulation have failed failed have circulation and heart the

the cardiovascular centre, and breath- and centre, cardiovascular the

oxygen may be introduced into the the into introduced be may oxygen rapidly occurs. occurs. rapidly

fairly adequately by artificial means means artificial by adequately fairly

massaging the heart. heart. the massaging

vascular centre. By some fortunate fortunate some By centre. vascular lung: this is useless unless the the unless useless is this lung:

no amount of artificial respiration respiration artificial of amount no

kept going by the activity of groups groups of activity the by going kept the brain and nervous system, quickly quickly system, nervous and brain the

centres, life can be saved and the the and saved be can life centres,

reach them. Respiration is therefore therefore is Respiration them. reach

the respiratory centre and the cardio- the and centre respiratory the respiratory centre is paralysed before before paralysed is centre respiratory but a failed circulation can only be be only can circulation failed a but the mechanisms involved, the met- the involved, mechanisms the

vital to maintain life. So equally is is equally So life. maintain to vital

will restart them because although although because them restart will

chance of nature, if the oxygen oxygen the if nature, of chance either of these systems fail death death fail systems these of either

become paralysed if oxygen does not not does oxygen if paralysed become

between the failures of the two two the of failures the between procedure of opening the body and and body the opening of procedure

revived by the most drastic surgical surgical drastic most the by revived body. Tissue cells, especially those of of those especially cells, Tissue body.

ation can be started in the interval interval the in started be can ation hods available and the occasions occasions the and available hods

beating. Thus, if artificial respir- artificial if Thus, beating.

blood to carry to the tissues of the the of tissues the to carry to blood of nerve cells or 'centres' in the brain, brain, the in 'centres' or cells nerve of

which demand its use. use. its demand which

ation it is necessary to understand understand to necessary is it ation

ation is to provide oxygen for the the for oxygen provide to is ation

ing ceases before the heart stops stops heart the before ceases ing

supply to the brain is cut off, the the off, cut is brain the to supply T www.mcdoa.org.uk

named Sarong which had just arrived. treatment be continued without ation especially if the patient is never seem to arrive at Malta with any shallow water divers. On its recovery the crew asked us interruption. blue. It can be given by a gentle aboard to have a look inside and to flow through a mask, a short tube Besides the normal training rout- It is also possible to inflate the ine we had many interesting jobs to sign their visitors book. There we victim's lungs by blowing directly in the nose or simply playing over learned they were on a world cruise the face, but must not be allowed to do. Looking for a suspected suicide into his mouth. This may be done under Ausonia in Dockyard Creek which had started in August seven by placing a piece of gauze over his delay or interfere with the actual months before. The crew were all artificial respiration and should not was one of the more unpleasant lips or using a short wide tube. jobs — happily, much later in the Australians and expected to take at The nose must be held at the same be administered after recovery un- least 18 months if not two years on less blueness persists. day, the 'lost' body walked on board time to avoid leakage. This is a unassisted. their global trip. On arrival in particularly simple and effective We searched for a lost anchor in England they intend putting into method when used on young children. WHEN TO STOP Grand Harbour belonging to a yacht Portsmouth, so Deepwater can expect There are also many mechanical In most cases the success or failure means available ranging from simple of artificial respiration is decided concertina-like bellows to compli- within the first few minutes but it cated automatic pumps. They have must be continued for at least advantages but if available should fifteen minutes before any pause is only be used by operators who have made to examine the patient. Re- had experience with them. sponsibility for stopping artificial RATE OF VENTILATION respiration should normally only be taken by a medical officer. It is often Artificial respiration should be advisable to continue it for some performed at a rate of 8 to 12 cycles considerable time even when the out- per minute. Excessive zeal should be come is known to be hopeless in avoided and a quiet regular rhythm order to meet the natural reluctance established which can be maintained of friends or relatives to give up hope. without exhaustion to the operator or victim. When natural breathing is becom- ADDITIONAL TREATMENT ing re-established the rate should be The early removal of wet clothing, adjusted to coincide with and assist wrapping in blankets, draining away the natural rhythm. This applies water and cleaning out the mouth is when the rescued man is still breath- important but even so this must not ing weakly. There is, however, be allowed to hinder the even con- nothing to be gained by giving tinuance of the artificial respiration. artificial respiration to a man who is breathing regularly, even if he is Once normal respiration has re- unconscious. started recovery is usually unevent- ful but the patient should be care- USE OF OXYGEN fully nursed and watched for the Oxygen if available should be used following twenty-four hours, pre- in conjunction with artificial respir- ferably in hospital.

Med Fleet D iving School HOUGH we are now well into trained 208 shallow water candidates 1959, we intend to review the of whom 141 finally qualified, and Tpast year in this article. gave 513 exercises to divers of the Despite all odds, and frequent ups fleet. It would be interesting to and downs with ears, wet shirts and know what happens to all these AB J. LIMBRICK photographed on one of the blades of Victorious's propeller `Please PO I can't breathe', we characters, for ships out from U.K. during work on various U.W. fittings —(13)— —(12)— www.mcdoa.org.uk

SAHA.

That could be

Can you guess the names of

Tappin, PO Peak and AB

'Get a move on and recharge your

There was a stab of pain, and I

'Hold it Sir. I can see a small tear

There was a cry of warning from

As I paused beside my set the

At long last approval for our

Instructor running towards the with Lieut G. Wooky, PO Clarke, for a third dip before midnight !' voice shouted:

bottles — or you won't have time March the staff remains the same QUIZ: ocheted off my head, and a raucous awoke as a 12 oz ball weight ric- the Instructors ?

you', and I looked up to see the

dangerous. I'll go and get mine for

A pair of warm water-proof gloves

in your flipper. Limbrick. inserted my right foot . . . The ship's side was brightly illumin- above—

store . . .

me with a cheery 'I'll carry it for you, were handed to me, and I moved

Sir', preceeded me to. the catamaran.. ated, and it took no time at all for slowly towards the water and gently

Chief rushed up and taking it from

SPO, has arrived, but until about six friendly sailors to get us ready.

been passed. One of the bodies, a

almost 80% increase in staff has

divers are welcome if you are out

this way.

air session in the early summer, with, divers of the fleet plus their ladies. we look forward to our next open we hope, a spot of bathing too. All A very good time was had by all and

s Dream'

-(15)-

The

and the sea

was a great

`A Diver'

-

Deepwater

frost glittered on the guard-

rails of reflected the merry twinkle of the

HE

'Lots of time, Sir' he murmured as

On arrival at the gangway we were

The social and dance which we

Petty Officer entered, bearing a huge

Divers Are a Team' embossed in

As we finished dressing, another gold on the side, and from this each wine. A goodly brew indeed ! gentle hands helped us to get ready. this friendly scene the Second In- of us was poured a tankard of mulled beautifully warmed inside, and with

warm and cosy in the glow of four electric fires. Whilst contemplating silver bowl, with the words 'All

Bovril into the other. structor brought in our frog suits traditional Christmas card. carol by the Clearance Divers' Glee CD1 who grasped us warmly by the we went below to the changing room, the quarterdeck together with har- hand, and thrust a steaming cup of coloured lights copiously streamed monious rendering of a well-known Club made a scene reminiscent of the greeted by the cheerful face of the around the superstructure. brightly decorated Christmas tree on

T

till well after midnight as we were

well supported by about eighty tioned in the last edition of the no trouble in keeping things going DIVING MAGAZINE

held in the late summer — men-

ments in all aspects of diving. Our arrive in the spring. success. Our very able compere had

new 75 ft M.F.V. is expected to now being rigged and fitted out (for dhow. We have in its place a 45 ft

launch which is ideal for our require-

some obscure reason) as an Arab www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

has been

'PIDDLING PETE'

African Queen,

We now have another hound dog

After 55 years known life, our old

evidence is in safe keeping in case

the region of 25 lbs weight. Pictorial anyone disputes our fishy story ! day — I should say staggered, for

he was blind and half starved. which walked into the school one

speared two really good groupers in

have assisted in looking after him knows the School's routine inside Successive shallow water classes and we are glad to say that he has regained his sight and is now a

out, and whose favourite pastime is defending the School from all stran-

returned to the dockyard where it is spoiled little overfed mutt, who boat, the

gers.

Woodbridge

Underwater

for making

the very latest

Victorious

Victorious,

This was an interesting

H.M.S.

Some of us had the pleasure, along

Our feats in the local sporting

At weekends and odd moments,

a visit as they promised to convey

our regards to you all. photographing, and general work on

assistance in inspection, underwater in aircraft carriers, asked for our We gladly went along and spent a very interesting and busy week with their diving team.

photography was quite a change for

us and would not have been possible some of their underwater fittings.

but for the willing and able assistance of a member of the local Sub-Aqua camera and showed us how to use it. Club who entrusted us with his of pictures which proved of valuable

The result was a couple of fine sets assistance to the ship's engineers.

Haven. Thank you

and Benghazi in H.M.S.

with the F.C.D.T., of going to Rome our week with you so agreeable.

break in normal routine and a most

activity have not been very meritor- welcome change of scenery.

teams are entered for the hockey

a team on many occasions. Scratch ious since it is very difficult to raise and soccer leagues and even though

we seldom win, we have a go and

enjoy ourselves. own aqua-lungs — these are all

every possible chance to get in a bit home-made sets and provide many hours of enjoyment on the various beaches scattered around Malta.

of free diving and underwater fishing A busman's holiday maybe, but in We are all eagerly awaiting the this water we can't get enough of it. 'Fisherman of the Year', after having vice. Two of us vie for the title

is taken. Most of the staff have their introduction of SABA into the Ser-

14 www.mcdoa.org.uk H.M.S. 'Reclaim' Report of Trials OW that H.M.S. Reclaim has depth, and decompression is usually n finished another trip to the slightly shorter overall than our Western Isles it is time to table. They are exactly the same as admit to our efforts in the past six those used in America except that months. Two trials have been we have brought the times in use to progressed, one to see how Table II the nearest five minutes as this is responds to the facts of life in cold thought to be more realistic for water, or possibly how the diver practical use. A table at the end of reacts to the effects of Table II, this article shows the detailed results and to see how the American version achieved. Minor bends are those of the same table works under com- that dissipate by themselves or are parative conditions. At the start cured by exercise or a hot bath. there was a general impression that Other bends require therapeutic '=1q 1111111111111111111111111111111 11111111111111111111111111111111&_€. the American Table had been de- decompression. Reclaim's rather vised in warm clear water and would blase attitude to bends is based on a not react favourably to Tobermory lot of experience and readily avail- in February. However this was not able equipment if anything should' the case. go wrong. A bend outside Reclaim must of course be treated in accor- The other experiment was to dance with the Manual — you determine how far a free-swimmer would be very foolish if you did can be trusted to work out his otherwise. own stops after heavy work on the bottom. This trial was all done by The other series of trials to try numbers and one thing that did out how a diver's brain works come out of it is that' divers are after a time under pressure is in all — well, nearly all — 'frightfully its very early stages, and the only clever'. Perhaps it is interesting to just comment at this stage is that note that the latter trial had nothing there is no doubt that divers do very much to do with the steaming have brains, some in the Leslie The world, but it was they who did the Welch class, and that they do not diving. The more that the two appear to be greatly affected by sides of the diving branch can get pressure, or if you want to be together, the better for all — a technical, by a mild attack of finest tobacco Marxist theory but worth remem- `Narks' which is not normally appar- bering. ent. The tests used were all num- erical. One required the diver to Firstly Table II trials — we divide by three, another asked him have thus far sampled dives in the to remember a string of numbers perfectly packed 100, 110, 120, 130, 150 and 180 and repeat them back, and the third, foot ranges. At least 10 dives have the now well worn multiplication been made in each range and questions. The problems were given decompressed by both American firstly in the Diving Flat, then on and British Tables. These American the ladder before starting the descent Tables are very like our own, the and finally near the end of the diver's greatest difference being that they period on the bottom. Times and rely on a long stop at the shallow accuracies were recorded and we -(17)- www.mcdoa.org.uk

1 1

2 2

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

tends tends

4 4

1 1

3 3

2 2

5 5

3 3

2 2

4 4

4 4

2 2

2 2

Nil Nil

Minor Major Major Minor

9 9

10 10

10 10

11 11

10 10

14 14

10 10

11 11

10 10

13 13

13 13

17 17

No. of of No.

dives dives

For the technically minded here here minded technically the For

The Gareloch was a very different different very a was Gareloch The

The sporting life at Tobermory was was Tobermory at life sporting The

method method

pression pression

and the results that we have been been have we that results the and

made in the wet since last November, November, last since wet the in made

getting. getting.

Decam- Decam-

is a list of the dives that have been been have that dives the of list a is

the fact that we were past the half half the past were we that fact the

way mark on the way home. home. way the on mark way

were the proximity of Glasgow and and Glasgow of proximity the were

muddy, in fact the visibility was was visibility the fact in muddy,

negligible. The redeeming features features redeeming The negligible.

cold as Tobermory but was very very was but Tobermory as cold

much for the divers who caught a a caught who divers the for much hands. hands. sort of life. The water was just as as just was water The life. of sort

free-swimming dogfish with bare bare with dogfish free-swimming

engine room branch. This was too too was This branch. room engine

abated as usual, and a rabbit was was rabbit a and usual, as abated

shot with a bow and arrow by the the by arrow and bow a with shot

shooting, scallopping went on un- on went scallopping shooting,

interesting. We got a little pigeon pigeon little a got We interesting.

British British

American American

British British

American American

British British

British British

American American

American American

British British

American American

British British

American American

—(19)— —(19)—

60 60

60 60

50 50

50 50

30 30

30 30

25 25

40 40

40 40 25 25

45 45

45 45

bottom bottom

(mins.) (mins.)

Time on on Time

went to to went

SOLUTION TO DIVERS' X-WORD X-WORD DIVERS' TO SOLUTION

there is but one one but is there

100 100

100 100

Reclaim Reclaim 110 110

110 110

150 150

150 150

180 180

(ft.) (ft.)

130 130

180 180

130 130

120 120

120 120

Depth Depth

As As

Opposite numbers; (9) Arsenic; (10) Wichita; (11) Goon; (12) Flood; Flood; (12) Goon; (11) Wichita; (10) Arsenic; (9) numbers; Opposite

Orange Free State; (2) Pistols; (3) Song; (4) Tackle; (5) Newcomer; Newcomer; (5) Tackle; (4) Song; (3) Pistols; (2) State; Free Orange

Down—(1) Down—(1)

Across—(1) Across—(1)

Area Area

Gareloch Gareloch

Gareloch Gareloch

Gareloch Gareloch

Gareloch Gareloch

Tobermory Tobermory

Tobermory Tobermory

Whilst at Tobermory, one of the the of one Tobermory, at Whilst

Tobermory Tobermory

Tobermory Tobermory Falmouth Falmouth

Falmouth Falmouth

Falmouth Falmouth

Falmouth Falmouth

(20) Calling; (22) Everton; (23) Tiffin; (27) Snag; (28) Pair. Pair. (28) Snag; (27) Tiffin; (23) Everton; (22) Calling; (20)

(6) Mace; (7) Epitome; (8) Stars and stripes; (14) Peeps; (15) Toxic; (18) Addendum; Addendum; (18) Toxic; (15) Peeps; (14) stripes; and Stars (8) Epitome; (7) Mace; (6)

(13) Boss; (16) Fasten; (17) Melodeon; (19) Escapade; (21) Divers; (24) Sole; (25) (25) Sole; (24) Divers; (21) Escapade; (19) Melodeon; (17) Fasten; (16) Boss; (13)

Denim; (26) Lear; (29) Aliened; (30) Flat top; (31) Engagement rings. rings. Engagement (31) top; Flat (30) Aliened; (29) Lear; (26) Denim;

In spite of all this this all of spite In

Muck and picked up our errant errant our up picked and Muck

resting place. place. resting

currents, and a magnetic anomaly. anomaly. magnetic a and currents,

have uncharted rocks, unpredictable unpredictable rocks, uncharted have

sailor from his appropriately named named appropriately his from sailor

Island of Muck. Muck. of Island

telephone on the island a childhood childhood a island the on telephone ask for 'Muck 1'. Muck is said to to said is Muck 1'. 'Muck for ask

able to pick up the telephone and and telephone the up pick to able

ambition was achieved and we were were we and achieved was ambition

the ship's motor cutter and departed. departed. and cutter motor ship's the news was received from the Scottish Scottish the from received was news

newspaperS that he had reached the the reached had he that newspaperS

debateable if he was alive. However However alive. was he if debateable

He chose to go with a gale warning warning gale a with go to chose He

in force, and after he had been absent absent been had he after and force, in

all day in bad weather it was most most was it weather bad in day all

with the open air life that he stole stole he that life air open the with

ship's company got so carried away away carried so got company ship's height of bliss for some. some. for bliss of height

back to the ship seemed to be the the be to seemed ship the to back eiM eiM

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

..1...... m.4 ..1...... m.4

0111

.4

Ref. J225. J225. Ref.

1111

..

416

.

1

.

1111

..

0

..

.

*

11

1880 1880

.

1

.

41

•

1

.

1

1

4

%.

1

.

66

Most of the trials were done at at done were trials the of Most

.

1

.

)— )—

themselves. Turning in at 1900, 1900, at in Turning themselves.

bean, and then walking 15 miles miles 15 walking then and bean,

breakfasting off a nicely done baked baked done nicely a off breakfasting Everest expedition look like child's child's like look expedition Everest

play and from all accounts enjoyed enjoyed accounts all from and play

enough equipment to make the the make to equipment enough

Parties of six spent alternate nights nights alternate spent six of Parties

on the side of Ben More. They had had They More. Ben of side the on

but the weather was clear and sunny. sunny. and clear was weather the but

first week there was bitterly cold cold bitterly was there week first

However Tobermory provided a lot lot a provided Tobermory However many of us are well dug in ashore. ashore. in dug well are us of many

of off-the-record amusement. The The amusement. off-the-record of

For various reasons it was not not was it reasons various For

possible to get to Inverary this time. time. this Inverary to get to possible

ditions are so excellent there and so so and there excellent so are ditions This is a great pity as diving con- diving as pity great a is This

46

Tobermory and in the Gareloch. Gareloch. the in and Tobermory

and return to the SD.C. to make his his make to SD.C. the to return and

report. report.

reconnaissance of the job, supplied supplied job, the of reconnaissance

by bottled gas from the chamber, chamber, the from gas bottled by the chamber, make a swimming swimming a make chamber, the

•

8

1

.

1

—(1

Phone 2 2 0 4 5 5 4 0 2 2 Phone

E S T. T. S E

BAUN & CO CO & BAUN

Naval and Civilian Tailors and Outfitters Outfitters and Tailors Civilian and Naval

'I would like to add that since being a customer of yours most of my my of most yours of customer a being since that add to like would 'I

it was the best investment I made. Thank you. W.J.' W.J.' you. Thank made. I investment best the was it

when I see your better values and qualities compared with others. Yes, Yes, others. with compared qualities and values better your see I when

requirements have been ordered by post and each time I receive complete complete receive I time each and post by ordered been have requirements with whom to declare allotments, I am thankful I chose "Bauns" especially especially "Bauns" chose I thankful am I allotments, declare to whom with

An unsolicited testimonial, from many hundreds: hundreds: many from testimonial, unsolicited An

Outfitters catering for R.N. personnel, having stood the test of of test the stood having personnel, R.N. for catering Outfitters

satisfaction. When I look back at that undecided moment when deciding deciding when moment undecided that at back look I When satisfaction.

tee a SERVICE second to none. none. to second SERVICE a tee

We ask only the opportunity to SERVE you. In return we guaran- we return In you. SERVE to opportunity the only ask We nearly eighty years continuous trading. trading. continuous years eighty nearly

We proudly boast that we are the very oldest established of all all of established oldest very the are we that boast proudly We

172 QUEEN STREET, PORTSMOUTH PORTSMOUTH STREET, QUEEN 172

0.141.400...... 11110.411.11.1.4~11.1.110.1.41.11•4111.....01

Reclaim. Reclaim.

One possible outcome of the trials trials the of outcome possible One

It is far too early to give a valid valid a give to early too far is It

might be lowered to the near vicinity vicinity near the to lowered be might

swimming diver could then leave leave then could diver swimming

merged base for divers. The chamber chamber The divers. for base merged of, maybe, a wreck, and the free- the and wreck, a maybe, of,

is the use of the S.D.C. as a sub- a as S.D.C. the of use the is

work to be done in this field before before field this in done be to work man's conclusion. conclusion. man's

towards the end of his dive, but is to to is but dive, his of end the towards it is possible to reach a working working a reach to possible is it

that the diver will remain accurate accurate remain will diver the that answer. There is a lot of interesting interesting of lot a is There answer.

some degree slower in providing the the providing in slower degree some

appreciation of the results it seems seems it results the of appreciation

narcosis trials, but from a very early early very a from but trials, narcosis

answer to the results of these these of results the to answer

possible. Anyhow one thing is for for is thing one Anyhow possible. for for

chance to prove that given numbers, numbers, given that prove to chance

sure, the eleven plus has no terrors terrors no has plus eleven the sure, anything can be made to appear appear to made be can anything have given R.N.P.L. a splendid splendid a R.N.P.L. given have www.mcdoa.org.uk

which was then around the 400 being spurred on by the half-promise A Trip to the Sun m.p.h. mark. Indeed, we seemed to of an early trip home via Australia, requirement was made known and the wide motorways, with their be hanging motionless above the Bangkok, Rome and other places of in October for a small diving flyovers and bridges, called for many white woolly clouds. interest. Unfortunately, this did not Ateam to visit Christmas Island. exclamations of admiration. Soon it was time to make the materialise, but was partly com- Accordingly, in mid-November, after pensated for by trips around the After a good sleep, and a slap-up four-mile descent to Christmas Is- a certain amount of jockeying for Island by jeep and helicopter. breakfast, most of us spent th6 day land. position by one or two of the section, After strict security checks from The return trip was made via and to the bitter disappointment of and, it must be confessed, most of the night, seeing the town. The the vigilant service police, we picked Honolulu, San Francisco and Mont- desk-bound Sir '0', the team, con- up our baggage and drove off to the real. sisting of Sub-Lt Gould, CPO Farmer, licensing laws caused a little bit of confusion. Only beer is served in camp. En route we had our first We arrived home just a day late PO Salter, LS Frankland, now a sight of the crabs and rats which for the Divers' Dinner, and a few Petty Officer, and AB Lawford, de- the bars, whereas in night clubs spirits are the only drinks available. infest the island. The island itself is hours too late for the Vernon Ball, parted from Vernon to an air-trooping the largest coral atoll in the world, much to the annoyance of the wife centre near London, pockets bulging The full horror of this .situation was further enhanced in another club and temperatures up to 90° in the of one member of the team. with dollars, in anticipation of a shade and over 120° in the sun are holiday in the States. where officially no drink at all was It was a trip full of interest and available. Fortunately, it was quite registered. I'm sure I speak for the team when The following morning, at 4 a.m., normal to walk in with bottle necks The diving team got down to I say, 'We are all converts to this when life is at its lowest, especially sticking from one's pockets like six- work the day after their arrival, and 'ere new-fangled flying lark'. after a night in the West End, the inch guns. were most successful in their tasks, T.G. troops were roused and sleepily left We took off the following morning for the airfield. There a monstrous extremely weary from our day's Britannia awaited us but even she 'rest' and put down the same looked pitifully inadequate for all evening in the warm, balmy air of r%, `t? the troops who were then milling Honolulu. This must surely be one around in the room, frantically of the most cosmopolition airports in putting coins into an insurance the world. The vivid costumes of the machine, in the hope that the tourists in their mon-mous, a long resulting bits of cardboard would shapeless flowing robe covering even act as good luck charms. the feet, are splendid sights. More However, much to our surprise colour is added by the masses of leis, and, it must be admitted, relief, the made from exotic tropical manna-loa plane took the air and within the flowers, hanging round the neck. hour we were all acting as any blasé These flowers are all shades of silver film star who crosses the Atlantic as and purple and were certainly a often as most of us cross the road. delight to our jaded eyes used to the Time in the air was fully taken up greyness of Britain in the late by patronising the duty-free bar, autumn and winter. eating lashings of chicken, and Once again Britannia took to the helping the hostesses, plus the 40 air, this time for a 1200 mile trip, winks. due south, to our destination. After touching down at Gander, A visit to the cabin forward left us and Winnipeg, we finally arrived at mesmerised by seemingly hundreds Vancouver, in the small hours of the of dials and small levers, and yet the morning, and were taken to various pilot and co-pilot were quite at ease, hotels by a fleet of large, luxurious being driven by George, the auto- coaches. For many of us it was our matic pilot. A look through the first experience of travel in Canada, windows gave no clue to our speed, -(20)- www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Command B. and M.D. Unit H.M.S. `Lochinvar' AIL fellow divers, from a father were tenant farmers. Burns Caledonia which has been stern indeed had a fairly good education. H and wild since New Year. At He and his brothers were taught at a the moment of writing we are still small school in Alloway, and later, in the vice-like grip of a very severe when this closed, had a private winter. The unit is being kept fairly tutor called Mr Murdoch. In later busy and recent travels have taken years, Burns moved to Tarbolton us to Banff, Northumberland, and and thence to Dumfries where he to dear 'Ould Ireland'. Our 'friends' died in July 21st 1796. in Brenchley and Brearley are sharing As well as writing poetry, Burns the vigours of this wintry land, but wrote songs which are sung through- Dingley has headed south for the out the world. Revising old Scottish flesh pots of Pompey. airs, and putting them to music, e.g. Last Sunday was an important Auld Lang Syne was another pastime. Anaesthetic quality Sofnol Soda-lime is used in over 30 countries for day in Scottish history, as on that It was interesting to hear this song Anaesthetic apparatus, respirators, oxygen administration, air purifica- on TV being played by a native tion in confined spaces etc., and is available in 3 grades—White (non- day we in Scotland celebrated the bi-centenary of the birth of our band marching through the streets indicating), Green and Violet (self-indicating), in granule sizes of Katmandu, the capital of Nepal. to 40 B.S.S. National Bard, Robert Burns. Cele- brations to mark the occasion have Well you may be wondering what Analytic quality Sofnolite is a special self-indicating soda-lime for been held in all parts of the world, gravimetric CO2 determination. the h . . . Robbie Burns has to do the main dish at these functions with diving, but he was a very con- being haggis, creamed potatoes and vivial character, and one can imagine mashed turnips, washed down with he'd have enjoyed a pint at 'Sam's', the national beverage. and would probably have written Burns was born on the 25th some appropriate verses about the January 1759, at a small farm at characters and `drouthy cronies'* one NON-HYGROSCOPIC SODA-LIME Alloway, two miles from Ayr. He meets there. Best wishes to all SOFNOL LTD., WEST(OMBE HILL, GREENWICH, LONDON, S.E.IO is often wrongly referred to as a divers everywhere. MAC. rustic ploughman, since he and his *'Drouthy cronies'—Thirsty friends.

Note to Editor T 'M afraid that I have rather lost B. and M.D. Team and even more 'touch with the good old DIVING frequent ones to the `Stag Head' and MAGAZINE. This has been mainly 'Forth Bridge Hotel'. Anyhow, I am J due to the fact that I have been at present settled in Takoradi, where travelling around a great deal since I am serving with the Ghana leaving the service more than eight- Government Railways and Harbour een months ago—Tema (in Ghana), Administration. Dakar, Las Palmas, Amsterdam, and I have finished with contract even a short stay at South Queens- work, which although interesting, ferry, where I worked for a few and sometimes well paid, completely weeks on the new Forth Bridge, an lacks permanency and is, very much interesting experience — punct- on a 'Casual' basis. However, for uated by daily visits to the local those just leaving the service, it is —(23)— www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk undoubtedly a quick way of gaining they may be serving call at Tak- sound mechanical and electrical in wishing him, and his lovely bride, experience, and on a seventy hour oradi, I would be glad if they would knowledge. He soon had his teeth long life, good luck, success and week basis leaves little time for 'look me up'. Meanwhile, any news firmly into Radio Link, D.U.C.S., happiness. nostalgic reflection ! I must confess from (or of) my old side kicks is underwater lighting and telephone that I only discovered all this by always welcome and will receive a and made an impressive contri- We were most gt ateful to Jock accident when working as a foreman prompt reply. So how about it bution to all of them. He was Cambell, our workshop manager, for in West Africa with a firm of civil chums ? My address is c/o Harbour married in 1957 and divers and a very well organised run ashore to engineering contractors—I hadn't Authority P.O. Box 1, Takoradi, civies alike joined in wishing him 'The George' at Warnford for the got the bus fare home ! Ghana, West Africa. See you at the well. In April 1958 he received well- purpose of saying cheerio to Lt-Cdr Joe Brooks, who is being invalided I should be delighted to see any Divers' dinner 1962 ! deserved promotion to Experimental Officer and seemed set fair for a out in April, Lt Rea who has taken 'dip chicks', 'cork heads' or 'padd- Cheerio and all the very best. over B and M.D. Mediterrean and lers', and if any H.M. ships in which CURRIE-DAVIS. happy career doing a job he liked in' a friendly atmosphere. Lt Hawke who, as previously ment- ioned, has returned to his native He was killed, coming in to work land. Jock also did the donkey work Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit in his little old car, on a Monday for the Annual Dinner, reported morning-21st July 1958. It was elsewhere in this issue. In case the MHE following changes in per- college that the instructors learnt raining hard and blowing and he was casual reader might feel that he is sonnel have occurred since we more than the pupils. The latest hit by a speedster who took a bend borne for social duties only we must last contributed to the Magazine : news of our ex-Deputy Superinten- at too high a speed and ran across stress that he runs a very fine Lt-Cdr Filer vice Lt-Cdr Wardle— dent is that he has polished up his the road out of control. It seems workshop. Voluntary retirement. kilt and bagpipes and departed to likely that he was killed instantly Mr John Plumpton, Mr Fred Noad Inverness-shire to organise the marine and never knew what hit him. He We have recently been privileged vice Mr Nigel Skrine—Tragically (and presumably the social) side of a left a young wife and an eight to attend two demonstrations of killed in a motor accident. civil engineering venture. We wish months old baby boy. underwater aids to diver propulsion. Mr John Hogg vice Mr Ernest him every success and feel confident His loss was very deeply felt in The first was at Portland where M. Dimitri Rebikoff and his team of Cullen—To A.S.R.E. that the Loch Ness monster will soon A.E.D.U. and he is still missed. raise its head again. assistants demonstrated the Pegasus. E.C.D.U.: They can't be stopped, can they ! This is a battery powered machine Lt Grattan vice Lt Hawke. Lt Phil Hawke was suitably By the time the Magazine is in print which can perhaps best be described PO Macrae-Clifton vice PO Strange despatched 'down under' having Ken Sables, Assistant Scientific Offi- as an underwater aircraft with no L/Sea Hough vice L/Sea Paxton finished his tour of exchange duty. cer, will be a married man, the nuptials fuselage. The controls and instru- We gathered from his reluctance to AB Vanderson vice AB Sarginson being celebrated on Saturday 21st mentation are similar to those of an leave, that he enjoyed his stay, March, at St Colemans, Portsmouth. aircraft and in the hands of the Lt-Cdr Wardle's retirement with a though we cannot think why, in 'Golden Bowler' is now ancient We are sure that all divers, every- experienced user it will perform the view of the varied and peculiar where, will join us in the A.E.D.U. usual a quabatics. Blind flying in history though the gentleman him- experimental diving trials he was self showed no signs of decay when given to carry out. We wish him last observed making the most of his every success and hope that he new found wealth in the 'Yorkshire doesn't get too soft through diving Grey'. His original intention of under the much kinder conditions keeping a pub was quickly dispensed found around his native shores. with, when after a trial period in the Dolphin at Old Portsmouth he dis- Obituaries are difficult things to covered that drinking the stuff was write, especially about such good not the way to get richer—quicker. chaps as Nigel Skrine. He joined the Unit in January 1956, being trans- Harry next took a course in ferred from U.C.W.E. where he had business administration which was been for several years an Assistant also honoured by Lt-Cdr Joe Brooks Experimental Officer in Trials Group. and it is rumoured that this is the He was a first rate colleague, quiet, only occasion in the history of the patient and hardworking and with a -(24)-- -(25)- www.mcdoa.org.uk

The hull is divided into tWo air- tWo into divided is hull The

Next time we appear in print we we print in appear we time Next

The outcome of these demon- these of outcome The

- -

necessary, but a long duration night night duration long a but necessary,

tight compartments, the foward foward the compartments, tight duty 12 volt 25 amp hour batteries. batteries. hour amp 25 volt 12 duty high rate during a short period if if period short a during rate high

compartment containing one or two two or one containing compartment

This battery can be re-charged at a a at re-charged be can battery This

Varley type V.P.T. non-spill heavy heavy non-spill V.P.T. type Varley

ness for the pressure hull. hull. pressure the for ness

resin glass of three 2oz matt thick- matt 2oz three of glass resin

projects as far as security will allow. allow. will security as far as projects

Until then, good diving to everybody everybody to diving good then, Until hope to give news of our various various our of news give to hope

everywhere. everywhere.

mobility. mobility.

were of considerable value in assess- in value considerable of were

take off her Aqua-lung. Aqua-lung. her off take

want for assistants to put on and and on put to assistants for want

the most attractive Sub-Aqua Club Club Sub-Aqua attractive most the ing the overall problem of diver diver of problem overall the ing

strations is not fully known but they they but known fully not is strations

demonstration was the Aqua-Jet or or Aqua-Jet the was demonstration

lady who demonstrated the machine machine the demonstrated who lady

so ably. Needless to say she did not not did she say to Needless ably. so

(27)

-

SUB-AQUA-JET SUB-AQUA-JET

THE THE

12 ins ins 12

851bs 851bs

Weight Weight

Length overall 3ft 3ins 3ins 3ft overall Length

Diameter Diameter

The Sub-Aqua-Jet is an under- an is Sub-Aqua-Jet The

It was difficult to assess whether whether assess to difficult was It

The second demonstration took took demonstration second The

Principal Dimensions : : Dimensions Principal

depths could be achieved for special special for achieved be could depths

tested to a depth of 100ft but greater greater but 100ft of depth a to tested

applications, The outer casing is of of is casing outer The applications,

a number of skin divers. It has been been has It divers. skin of number a

water tug capable of towing one or or one towing of capable tug water

It was simple to operate even in the the in even operate to simple was It

the outstanding feature of this this of feature outstanding the

and really gave us a nice ride. ride. nice a us gave really and

tows the diver along providing he he providing along diver the tows

remembers to hold on to the handle. handle. the to on hold to remembers

driven bomb shaped device which which device shaped bomb driven

limited confines of a swimming bath bath swimming a of confines limited

ton exhibited their Sub-Aqua-Jet. Sub-Aqua-Jet. their exhibited ton This is a battery powered, propellor propellor powered, battery a is This

Messrs Tough Bros Ltd. of Tedding- of Ltd. Bros Tough Messrs

place at the Great Russell Street Street Russell Great the at place

beginners as we found to our cost. cost. our to found we as beginners

UK water is hardly the thing for for thing the hardly is water UK swimming baths in London where where London in baths swimming

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

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Edinburgh Road Road Edinburgh

Grams: 'Nayserge' Portsmouth Portsmouth 'Nayserge' Grams:

Trafalgar Services Club Club Services Trafalgar

PORTSMOUTH PORTSMOUTH

Mercury Mercury

-(26)— -(26)—

of of

Branches at at Branches

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

Local Branches: Branches: Local

PORTSMOUTH PORTSMOUTH

Backed by the experience of half a i i a half of experience the by Backed

Such careful attention has been de- de- been has attention careful Such

11 EDINBURGH RD. RD. EDINBURGH 11

Individual Individual

mand for our service continues with with continues service our for mand

increasing regularity. regularity. increasing we have good reason to be proud. proud. be to reason good have we

Service Service

voted to the finer points of good good of points finer the to voted

century, we have built up a reputation reputation a up built have we century,

tailoring, style and finish that the de- de- the that finish and style tailoring,

for civilian and naval wear of which which of wear naval and civilian for

(3 lines) lines) (3

Good Clothes are made by by made are Clothes Good

Member of the Interport Naval Traders' Association Association Traders' Naval Interport the of Member

24251 24251

Devonport, Weymouth, Dunfermline, Malta, Malta, Dunfermline, Weymouth, Devonport,

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HAY STREET & PORTLAND STREET, PORTSMOUTH 1 1 PORTSMOUTH STREET, PORTLAND & STREET HAY

Civilian and Naval Tailors and Outfitters Outfitters and Tailors Naval and Civilian

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Queen Street Street Queen

Head Offices: Offices: Head

Royal Sailors' Home Home Sailors' Royal

Phone: Portsmouth Portsmouth Phone:

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charge is ideal. In the case of the a full range of exterior shades is imagine. Anyway I couldn't live car, I could have added insult to two-battery installation the batteries available. without them so why grumble. injury but my empty stomach pre- vented me. are paralleled together and connected The carrying handle can be easily `Hi', I said in their general to the 4i." C.A.V. 12 volt motor in removed when the Sub-Aqua-Jet is direction, 'What are you going to A week later I was met at Ports- the aft air-tight compartment. The in use, and a bracket for an under- drink ?' mouth Harbour Station. I'd accepted motor is controlled by a simple water camera can be fitted in its with alacrity their invitation to visit trigger switch in the right-hand `This rounds on me', one of them place. A bracket can also be fitted replied. These words were the the Royal Naval Diving School. This handle. This ensures that if the on the nose cap for an underwater had been given at the end of that diver accidentally releases the Sub- sweetest I'd heard since my last flashlight or spotlight. Electricity story was accepted. memorable evening or 'run ashoi e' as Aqua-Jet the motor immediately for this can be supplied from the they called it. I couldn't fathom why cuts out. battery. The Sub-Aqua-Jet is After drinking with each in turn but you can see from my nautical The single battery version achieves easily manoeuvred in the water by and knowing I couldn't escape terminology I'd already been in- a speed of about 2 knots and a movement of the swimmer's body without returning the compliment, I fluenced by the Navy. duration of about one hour. With and a very small turning circle can decided to become friendly. These guys weren't really guys. They were `Have you ever seen the bottom the two battery type a speed of be achieved. The comparatively of a ship when she's floating ?' the about 3 knots is obtained and the light weight ensures that the Sub- in the Navy. I smelt a story here and blond guy who met me asked. duration with economical use is if it was as good as those they were Aqua-Jet can be lifted in and out of I hemmed and hawed for a while about two hours. Colours are already telling I'd make a fortune. the water by the diver and carried before sheepishly admitting I hadn't. moulded into the resin glass case and with the handle for short distances. Those as you know, are O.K. to hear but too risque to print. My puns `Well we're going to give you that are the rage of the debs during the experience this morning.' From One Dive to Another mating season. `What for ?' The Navy were in town to investi- The blond guy who seemed to like Y name is Dix Monde and I'm wouldn't have induced me to enter. gate the merits and de-merits of the his hair, which couldn't have been a freelance reporter. Whether I'd spent the afternoon at Moss secretaries of several London firms cut for months, regarded me with a Mmy mother had a mental Bros. It's essential to wear a dinner who supplied their equipment. look that meant chicken. aberration at the time of my suit at some of the classy dives and I 'What type of equipment ?' I baptism or just wanted to be intended to visit these later. `We're divers and if you want a ventured to ask, anticipating a not- story about us you must go down different from the Jones I've yet to so-nice reply. find out. Nowadays, this name is Full of aplomb or, if you prefer, yourself.' These words were a well known and much thought of grog, I passed a massive doorman who 'Diving gear,' the blond guy challenge. but when I was a kid all sorts of gave me the full treatment. He sure replied, gently fingering a tie which `Is it dangerous ?' would recognise me the next time I was suitably beer-stained. gags were associated with it. 'Of course not. My grandfather visited and I wasn't likely to forget I took the hint and inspected the A month ago, I got a red face him in a hurry. This wasn't an could do it if it wasn't for his when visiting the bank. This didn't expensive joint but scandal is always cloth more closely. It could only have lumbago.' do my ego any good and my found in such places so I'd been told. been worn for show. Sartorial elegance By now we'd arrived at an old stomach fared worse. The papers had gone by the board. My heart had fortress with massive gates and were full of divorce cases, murders A brief glance round assured me started to thump none the less. Here several guards. Trying to get in was and bank robberies. What could I that Who's Who wasn't represented. was the making of a great story. I'd worse than getting tickets for My write about that would be different ? Four guys drinking at the bar gave been on safari, flown in jets, visited Fair Lady. I was given the once over Suddenly it came. A nice juicy me the once over and never refusing the Poles, lived in Montmartre, shot and to make sure the twice over. scandal was what was ,needed. The an offer I joined them. In my job haggis, and listened to a pipe band What a story I'd make out of this. scandal-writers were never in want this is essential otherwise you don't without a twitch. This was different. Diving must be top secret stuff, I and always had the most superb drink. Neptune's kingdom had a strange thought, and here again was Dix fascination. How strange you'll see. dames in tow. They were a motley crew and Monde making a sensational scoop. Standing on the threshold of a obviously out for a good time in `Our club tie,' he explained and I Building after building flashed by likely night club several hours later London. More clubs keep going on acted suitably impressed. Never before the ships and water appeared. I wondered if my luck was in. If I'd the benevolence of these souls who insult a man's tie or car is my motto. This brought me back to reality known the outcome Brigitte Bardot think they're living it up, than you Later when travelling in the guy's with a jolt. The water was black and -(28)-

www.mcdoa.org.uk F. J.D. K .

`Please Mr Dix Monde, we can't

I dipped a tentative foot in the

`Are you all right Sir ?' Yes I was

I'd been reprieved. Full realisation

`You really must answer the signals

Willing hands undressed me and `Let's eat', my long-haired friend

`What's on the menu ?' `Fish today. It's Friday.' I fainted.

water to test the temperature. No an hour.' It was Blondey. pain. I almost died of shock.. I let wait here all day. The bar opens in go of the ladder as a result and fell

backwards into the murky waves.

Buster Pants squeezed my suit and to see him but I couldn't though I

pulled me down. I opened my eyes I couldn't see my hands. Terror

I must be in hell. was holding his hand. I looked again. me. I couldn't see my legs. So this gripped me. I felt a dreadful pull on

my waist. A shark must have bitten

to torment me. Another pull and I

is what death is like, I thought . . .

in hell and that awful P.O. was here that the nightmare was over sud- felt myself turning over. His ugly P.O. helped me up the ladder. I you know. Down you go again'. denly struck me. I hauled myself

out of the water and Blondey and the didn't mind gibbering. I'd survived face was full in my eyes.

the ordeal and was a hero. The

crowd who gathered round were all

men we have in the Navy. They body cannot achieve greatness I thought.

bear no malice at my success. Every-

smiles. What a wonderful bunch of

been higher. I was elated with hope of world-wide fame when my article Blondey took me to the Wardroom for a reviver. My spirits had never

was published.

said.

—(31)—

They gave me a rubber hood. My `Now for the set, P.O.'

This was fitted without a murmur.

My past life flashed before me. I

`Give him an easy time,' said

The mouthpiece was inserted be- They gave me some oxygen and

`Aye, Aye, Sir.' Another big wink.

A rope was now tied round my

`There you are Sir,' said the P.O.

Just then Buster Pants swam

Two flippers were pulled over my

the resulting struggle and I wondered how Blondey managed. I noticed ears and hairs were almost lost in

I was unable to speak. Bottles,

with relief that I was still capable of intelligent observations.

pass, were vague background ex- valves, counterlung, mouthpiece, by-

pressions.

tween my lips. The purpose of this, carried me to the side.

was deep in prayer when they

biting my nails under water. The

it was explained, was to prevent me mask was pulled over my head. I

couldn't scream. I started to cry.

slapped me on the back.

Blondey poking the P.O. in the ribs

and hoping that my steamed-up mask prevented me from seeing his

wink. I hoped they'd shoot the P.O. for

waist. At least I'll be recovered or at

certain that death was imminent. No fish was going to make a meal of me.

least my body will, I thought,

murder.

feet. merman, now. In you go'.

with a chuckle. 'You're a proper alongside. The sight of him was a morale booster. Perhaps I would

readers living these terrors with me—

what suffering, what courage.

survive after all. I could see my www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

`You'll have convulsions if you go

`You'd think I had the shakes

`Sir. We've a job on our hands

`Excuse me. How do I put it on ? ' I stuck out my pot even further

`I can't possibly get through that Regarding my manly physique I hoped they thought it was the Time for a joke, I thought, and `Take your clothes off', growled a

Horrified I listened to the solution.

Half-an-hour later they disproved

From a locker all the necessary

P.O. Eh ?' I'd been experiencing many new emotions since I'd come on board,

the true meaning of hate. Indeed,

with a sadistic laugh. I realised then

hater. below 33 feet with this set,' he said

to Blondey. didn't. They gave me the suit. I here. How are we going to get him I asked timidly, thoroughly ashamed with a sickly grin addressed the civvy

hoping that `Sir' would recognise the removed my last link with civili- into a suit ?' couldn't see any buttons. my theory. I was thankful for the Petty Officer who had taken an my hands tremble as I very slowly with distaste the Petty Officer turned shivering. impossibility of the situation. He now I was so cold I was really cold that made my knees knock and long woolly combinations which had of my ignorance. seemed so ridiculous at first for by

clothing and equipment were pro- duced. I took out my camera.

instant dislike to me. The feeling was now mutual. sation.

—(30)—

but kept

Deepwater,

Those from the Deep.

`Two divers on course I suppose. I forced myself to climb aboard `Get into those suits, you shirkers',

`What are those things there ?'

My contemplation was shattered I was on the point of telling him

Suddenly two monsters appeared

perience,

feels like once in the ring and I could hand and led me into a cabin close My eyes started bulging, my hair by. The moment of truth was close well have done without the ex- at hand. I now knew what a 13;ill proudly. native dances while on safari. The result was even more startling. Never gives up,' Blondey answered Yes, that's Buster Pants. He almost dozen sailors. They proceeded to go of the monsters I'd seen in the water. drowned last week. Good chap that. I yelled. plating. trampled underfoot by at least a Black magic was being practised the diving ship stood on end but Blondey took my of armour who was hanging near the gangway. What had he done to through contortions I'd last seen in a wary eye on a chap dressed in suit deserve that ? What had I let my- not to be so insulting when I was before my eyes. There stood a group horse could support that armour

by a human monster standing close by.

he bellowed, looking at me.

more picturesque. self in for ? I was sure that no sea- falling didn't make the scene any local cinema oily and the fact that snow was on the surface. I almost screamed

in terror having recently seen in the www.mcdoa.org.uk

...... 1•••••••1 r Lady Docker's Diamonds N the 9th March, Lady natural amount of team spirit in- Docker had between £125,000 stalled into all CD.s when quali- Oand £150,000 of jewels taken fying ! ! ! (Comment from the Stan- A watch from her car in Southampton. This dard side `CENSORED'.) was the most valuable jewel robbery There was nothing of interest to that there has ever been in this be found in the two areas we that stays waterproof country. These jewels were in two searched on the Wednesday and small boxes, similar to the beauty Thursday, though diving almost cases carried by teenage girls these came to a stop when part of Jayne 660 feet under water! days. One of these boxes was sub- Mansfield's double appeared over sequently washed up on the sands of the edge of the 'bridge. I told the ROLEX have produced a new watch for sea-going acti- the River Itchin, and the police felt team that yonder was not the type vities called the Submariner. Particularly designed for that their investigations into the of jewel we were at the moment deep-sea divers, this special Oyster wristwatch is guaran- affair would not be complete without looking for, so the work continued, a good search of that area by divers. to 660 ft. (200 metres) but with no success. teed waterproof and pressureproof The police carefully avoided telling under water. Incorporated in the Submariner is the la the press as to their intentions, but The Team consisted of :— revolutionary "Time-Recorder" revolving rim, which that did not make any difference. Lt Whatley, R.N., enables the watch to be used as a stop-watch. It is in- On Wednesday 19th March my PO How, indispens- valuable for navigation, speed testing etc., and team and I climbed aboard the B. & Charlie Chaplin, able to divers, who can now tell at a glance how long they M.D. Land. Rover and went to try Mike Handford, have been under water and how long they may safely our luck. I would like to say at this Sarg, stay there. point that the keenness of the party My dog 'Noodle'. had nothing to do with the possible reward of £10,000, but was the LT. WHATLEY, C.D.O., R.N.

ROLEX

`Couldn't find a darn thing sir' —(32)— —(33)— www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Loch Stiven were disturbed by Loch had frozen over but undeterred Yo-Yo Notes (H.M.S. Adamant) Yp-Yo after this. A torpedo had we carried on. Anything, repeat been lost, but after taking soundings anything, we may have to do in 0 INCE our last article we have Mine recovery has also been one of of the area we found it was lying in future will be a pleasure compared been mainly occupied with rout- our main efforts and as this meant 240 feet of water, so we've left this to this. Sine inspections and recovering trips to Etterick and Kilbride Bays job for our Reclaim friends. lost articles of value. The sub- where scallops are in abundance, we The conditions of snow and ice in marines in particular have been very lived right royally. The evenings Recently, we were brought back the area leave much to be desired, good customers as they invariably were spent either in the 'Castle to reality. Some copper wire was lost but by the time the next issue is due lose over the side at least one case Hotel' at Tarbert or in the local at at the head of Loch Long. When we the summer will be with us. Roll on of film whilst exchanging the latest Anchtolachan sampling the strong reached the area we found that the June. thriller with their sister ship. Scottish beer. The quiet waters of

DIVERS' X-WORD

CLUES ACROSS CLUES DOWN They sometimes part brass rags, but 1. Do the people here get their fruit for not usually for long (8, 7) nothing ? (6, 4, 5) 9. Saccharine could be poisonous, with- 2. Do they leave the Shakespearian stage out half a popular dance (7) with a bang ? (7) 3. Not the price of supper in the 10. I a witch ? No I'm in Kansas (7) N.A.A.F.I. ! (4) 11. Don't stop, funny man ! (4) 4. Come to grips with the rigging (6) 12. It's wet to put little Florence next 5. He's been here only a dog-watch (8) to an Ordinary Seaman (5) 6. Spice used as a symbol of authority (4) 13. The chief protuberance (4) 7. Short summary ending the large 16. He goes without food more quickly book (7) (6) 8. Awarded for merit and good conduct 17. Poetry in fruit makes music (8) in the U.S. ? (5, 3, 7). 14. Look both ways when singular (5) 19. Cap a seed for a mischievous adven- ture (8) 15. Poisonous domestic beast in a nervous movement (5) 21. The rich man embraces the Round- 18. Something extra for a present-day head. Under water ? (6) study on half a soft nosed bullet 24. Only a fish (4) (8) 20. Somewhere a voice is your vocation 25. Back donkey I'm after the overall material (5) (7) 22. This team always put on weight, 26. The king who wrote nonsense ? (4) Can't play for toffee ? (7) 29. One fib, little Edward-estranged (7) 23. Squabble in a light meal in India (6) 27. Goes back in Tyneside, What's the 30. Saratoga - not Sabrina (4, 3) trouble ? (4) 31. Brides to be get single beats repeated 28. Made by 1 Across in Parliament regularly ? (10, 5) sometimes (4) The solution to this X-word is on page 19

-(35)- -(34)- www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk A Diver's Life Afloat in the Grey Funnel Line HE diving team that formed as is well known, and it was not till when the ship commissioned was 28th September that L/Sea Slater 764. 4414,>40.m. Tsmall. It is easy to believe that and AB Keen, the two on the course the drafting office have difficulty in to qualify, flew to Aden to rejoin the extracting divers from their com- ship. They did not have long to wait fortable corners in such choice -..for a job since, on the following day, 404/..,064:wdoMer billets as the Diving Section in they were sent down to. clear a Vernon. A diver, left in a diving manilla that was fouling the rudder. school for any length at all, instantly Apart from this piece of work, and grows roots which are hard to sever. a few exercise dives in Aden and 0/ Pc's40%eitf.:7k. However, on this occasion, 'Drafty' Kamaran (where the sea was reported must have had a secret weapon for to be teeming with angry and he managed to extract both PO - poisonous fish but wasn't), little Robbins and AB Shennan from the diving was carried out during the diving store in Deepwater where they Red Sea period. The ship would not were comfortably settled. stay still long enough. Deepwater is strictly a native's Diving activities started again ship. She is one of the few of modern with the beginning of the refit in a er&Co design having no engines. No one Hong Kong. More divers were has ever actually accused any par- needed. Plenty of volunteers had ticular diver of removing them, but come forward to take the three week it is evident that at some time there course for shallow water diver but was such a man, probably newly no opportunity to train them pre- returned from years abroad, who sented itself till the ship was taken decided that he could not afford to in hand for refit. 81/82 QUEEN STREET run any risks. The Fleet Clearance Diving team AB Robinson and AB Bragg com- PORTSMOUTH gave every assistance and a good pleted the team of standard divers, deal of their time towards the train- Bragg coming from Theseus and ing of our classes. The standard Robinson from Sparrow and a two divers from the ship worked in the year commission on the South Branches at school during this period, helping with Alantic Station. AB Hemmings and the training of the classes. It is hard 12 TAVISTOCK ROAD, 22 RAILWAY STREET, AB Morton, shallow water divers, to keep a diver out of a diving school. STOKE, DEVONPORT CHATHAM made up the number to six. There seems to be some fatal The first necessity was to increase attraction between the two. Maybe 14/15 CASTLETOWN, the size of the team, and with this in it is the instinctive urge, born in PORTLAND view, six volunteers moved into every diver, to keep himself within Terror at the beginning of September shouting distance of a recompression 1956 to qualify as shallow water chamber. Be that as it may, it is divers. They were left behind when doubtful whether the Clearance Div- the ship sailed for Penang and Port ing%,team, with their various com- Dickson and it was to be some little mitments on the station, could have CATALOGUES AND PRICE LISTS SENT ON REQUEST time before they rejoined us. The coped with three full courses during ship sailed west from Port Dickson, the refit without the added help of —(37)—

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk the Fleet Diver 1st Class and our Warden was a little put out on one own divers. occasion to find a party of strangers preparations for the inspection fig- from time to time such words as By the middle of July the diving brewing up a potmess on his pre- ured so largely in the programme 'Wait till they have to break the ice team had been increased by seven. serves. He was, nevertheless, most that time for diving was cut to a on Horsea Lake next winter' and, L/Sea Witts, LME Adcock, AB's hospitable once the situation had minimum. Then, following immed- `Doing the, course out here, they don't Diaper, Hodge,. Vaughan and ME's been clarified. iately afterwards came the passage know what cold water is'. Davies and Marriott having qualified Pulau Tioman, with its crystal to Hong Kong, the Admiral's in- All the same, cold water or not, during the refit. With the increased clear water, provided no opportun- spection and the cruise to Japanese waters. Heie was the first opport- the prospect of the return home is numbers it became possible to carry ities for diving when the ship called much on everyone's mind, and we out some more extensive and inter- there for a post refit work up. It had unity to give the recently qualified divers the chance to complain of wish all the divers a happy return esting diving exercises. The majority always been well known that sharks and plenty of diving. T.E.R.K. had the opportunity of exploring the existed in those waters, but this cold water instead of hot oxygen. after end of the ship's hull by night, visit was the first occasion on which However, the water was not really An extract from the paying-off feeling their way round and getting sharks were sighted swimming round cold and one could see disappoint- magazine of H.M.S. Newfoundland, to know what it was they had just the ship. Sometimes six or eight at ment on the faces of the old 'hands' Far East Station. cut their hand on, or bumped their a time, there was nearly always a who had been heard to mutter head against. shark to be . seen cruising around. The end of July and the beginning It was felt — keenly by some — of August, our last few weeks in that in view of their having got there Fleet Clearance Diving Team Hong Kong before moving south to first, the waters of Pulau Tioman Hong Kong Singapore and Pulau Tioman were the rightful preserve of the (again), gave several opportunities sharks and that therefore the divers EVERAL changes have occurred L/Sea Cobb, AB Harrison, borne for for diving, both alongside and at would not poach. in the heirarchy of the team since light duties and AB ,Le Cornu also Stonecutters Island. This last was On the ship's return to. Singapore Sour last report. L/Sea Bob Lusty represented the seaman at various usually a popular spot. Popular at the beginning of September, has taken the reins from L/Sea sports. with the divers, that is. The Range ceremonial company training and Blaycock and AB Tom 'Dooley' Leaving aside sport we now turn Wannerton has relieved AB Sharpe. to the sordid details of 'Shop'. L/Sea Blaycock and AB Sharpe Training classes continue as before excelled in extra mural sporting and we are often visited by SWD's activities whilst out here. The from the ships. PO Brown with his former won many back-stroke swim- circus from H.M.S. Ceylon paid us a ming championships and with a fleeting visit. Exercising H.M.A.S. little more effort should have won Quiberon and Queenborough's teams the. Colony Championship. He was most interesting as they used represented the Royal Navy at their 'Hooker Gear' which most of us swimming and water-polo and the had only read about. seaman at athletics and football. Unfortunately, we find that the Sharpe also represented the Navy at standard of the SWD's from ships water-polo and took a very active leaves much to be desired. Almost part in swimming, football and 90% are not suitable as divers and athletics. their equipment is normally in a Although these two were out- disgusting state. It would appear standing, the rest of the team were that the qualifying course should be no less successful in their sporting made even stiffer and a higher activities. Lt Wanchi' Checksfield standard set as a pass requirement. turned out for the Wardroom in Several salvage jobs have also been almost every sport and CPO done. A gunboat, sunk during the McKinlay, handsome and sober as Japanese occupation, was inspected ever, represented the Royal. Navy before being raised. When it was at water-polo, hockey and cricket. taken to the breakers yard, a mine —(39)-- www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk was reported to be inside. We harbour which has the following rushed to the scene. After investi- inscription: Sgt R. Stringer, R.A.E.C. gating among all the mud and smells from WO's & Sgts Mess, Advanced that go with everything out here, it Base, Korea 1956. We will be turned out to be an old sweep float. delighted to return this to the owner Nevertheless, the manager of the if he is a subscriber to the Magazine. yard insisted on pushing out the There have been several runs boat and quite a party developed. ashore ensuring that the coffee stall Not long after, we received a profits are maintained. The only police call for assistance. Some `boozy' story worth telling is that misguided person had thrown pitch one of the team left the beer issue into an underground reservoir. We in a bucket over the side of the ship. didn't know what it was at first and Unfortunately, when we got under- a very hazardous time resulted in way the culprit forgot to take it in finding out. Two attendants were and we had to do without. Le required for each diver: one at the Cornu wasn't very popular. manhole top who attended the Recently a junior seaman asked to diver's attendant who was up to his be taken off course. When asked waist in water. why he replied. 'I don't like the An old pewter mug was salvaged Chief shouting at me.' from the bottom of Hong Kong What a life we have MAC,

Miss Madelaine Thompson, Surg-Cdr Miles' assistant at R.N.P.L. for the past two and half years, has recently married Mr Norman Bradburn of the R.N. Scientific Service, on the 7th February to be exact. Alas, she is leaving R.N.P.L. and going to Malta to be near her husband. So we of R.N.P.L. must now search for another fair damsel to beguile divers into doing strange tests. On behalf of all divers, the staff of the R.N. DIVING MAGAZINE would like to wish Madelaine and her husband every happiness.

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Divers' Employment Bureau

The Bureau continues to function, and if you wish your name to be recorded please forward the undermentioned to the Employment Bureau. Applicants must be either serving R.N. Divers or Ex-R.N. Divers who are subscribers to the Diving Magazine.

Full Name

Rating Off. No Age

Time Expired or Expires TRAMPS' BALL, 'TAMAR' CHIEFS' MESS Private Address

Willing to Serve Abroad

Diving Rate Date and Place Qualified

Equipment Experienced in

Diving Experience

This information will be filed and referred to as and when diving employment is required. The Bureau does not assure you of a job, but it will advise applicants on vacant diving situations.

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