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ROYAL NAVAL
IVIAGAZINE
Vol. 16 No. 2 31-
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• 11=11111r
as
Since 1949
TYPHOON DIVING EQUIPMENT has been manufactured for the Sports Diver in the United Kingdom. Today the most comprehensible range comprises equip- ment of our own manufacture, such as Typhoon Suits, Fins, Masks, Snorkels, etc., as well as selected imported products, Divers' Watches, Underwater Cameras, Harpoon Guns and two-stage, single hose compressed air Demand Valves.
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Officers' Shops at Plymouth and Portsmouth. Portsmouth. and Plymouth at Shops Officers'
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Vernon Vernon Published by H.M.S. H.M.S. by Published in June/July and November/ November/ and June/July in
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Treasurer Treasurer LT. P. R. G. PARK PARK G. R. P. LT.
Editor Editor .. .. P.O. S. COBB COBB S. P.O.
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editions, post paid to the following address: address: following the to paid post editions,
each. Commencing with the Summer, or Winter Winter or Summer, the with Commencing each. WHO IS BIG GINGER? . . . . GINGER? BIG IS WHO 36 36
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR EDITOR THE TO LETTERS 33 33
DIVING AND INSURANCE INSURANCE AND DIVING 31 31
Postal Order No No Order Postal Value Value
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BOOK REVIEW . . . . REVIEW BOOK 25 25 Cheque No No Cheque Value Value
C.D. C.D. FIRST FIRST BASIC COURSE COURSE BASIC 25 25
and enclose a remittence by by remittence a enclose and MAGAZINE MAGAZINE
TOURISM TOURISM 23 23 . . . .
EUROPEAN DIVING TRAINING COURSES AND AND COURSES TRAINING DIVING EUROPEAN
wish to become a subscriber to the the to subscriber a become to wish
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R.N. DIVING DIVING R.N.
CLAMMY DEATH DEATH CLAMMY 23 23 ...... . . . .
REPORT FROM THE DEEP TRIALS UNIT UNIT TRIALS DEEP THE FROM REPORT 20 20
H.M.S. "VERNON", PORTSMOUTH, HANTS. HANTS. PORTSMOUTH, "VERNON", H.M.S.
JULY THE SOMETHING OR OTHER OTHER OR SOMETHING THE JULY 17 17
. . . . NAVY NAVY ROYAL ROYAL DIVING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE DIVING
THE NAVY WAXES LYRICAL OVER ITS ITS OVER LYRICAL WAXES NAVY THE RUM RUM 15 15
A A DIVER'S GUIDE TO SHARKS—PART II II SHARKS—PART TO GUIDE DIVER'S 14 14 . .
See See Go Western. Western. Go
MERRY MAC'S MORBID MUSINGS MUSINGS MORBID MAC'S MERRY 13 13 . . . .
in a Hercules, accompanied by their vehicles. vehicles. their by accompanied Hercules, a in
DIVERS' ANNUAL REUNION DINNER . . . . DINNER REUNION ANNUAL DIVERS' 11 11 Western Fleet C.D.T. arriving at Athens Athens at arriving C.D.T. Fleet Western FRONT COVER COVER FRONT
CIVILIAN DIVING DIVING CIVILIAN . . . . 9 9 . . . . . . . .
LOBSTER A LA TOWSE . . . . TOWSE LA A LOBSTER 8 8 will make some use of the the of use some make will R.N. DIVING MAGAZINE. MAGAZINE. DIVING R.N.
HORSEA ISLAND SUB-AQUA OPEN DAY DAY OPEN SUB-AQUA ISLAND HORSEA 7 7
I hope the Home Air Command Sub-Aqua Club Club Sub-Aqua Command Air Home the hope I
• • • • • • • •
DIVING UNIT... . . UNIT... DIVING 7 7 . . . .
I am sorry to see see to sorry am I has been discontinued, discontinued, been has Nepton Nepton
NEW PREMISES FOR ADMIRALTY EXPERIMENTAL EXPERIMENTAL ADMIRALTY FOR PREMISES NEW
All materials for the Magazine is welcome. welcome. is Magazine the for materials All THE GIANT SEA SOCK . . . . SOCK SEA GIANT THE 5 5 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Go Go 4 4 WESTERN WESTERN . . . .
will do. do. will
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL 3 3 . . . . . . . .
A line or two on the back page of an old 288, 288, old an of page back the on two or line A
PAGE PAGE
keep the Letters coming in. in. coming Letters the keep Contents Contents
Teams. Well I don't know what's going on so please please so on going what's know don't I Well Teams.
Readers still serving ask me to print more about about more print to me ask serving still Readers
Vol. 16 16 Vol. No. 2 2 No.
it seems as though it went down well. well. down went it though as seems it
I thank all who wrote about the last Magazine, Magazine, last the about wrote who all thank I
S
Diving Magazine Magazine Diving sends in articles there just is nothing to print. print. to nothing is just there articles in sends
this edition is again late but if no one one no if but late again is edition this ORRY ORRY
R.N. R.N.
Editor's Notes Notes Editor's
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HE Western Fleet Clearance Diving Team have Needless to say no sooner had we arrived than a gale not been standing around since we last wrote. blew straight up Loch Long making it too rough to TWe have been to the places in Europe where dive. However after frenzied throwing of bones and only the best people go. We have completed several praying to the Gods the weather relented, the wind circumnavigations of Scotland and have reaquainted dropped and it steadily grew colder and colder. ourselves with the geography of Portland Harbour. Nevertheless we managed to do all the dives though There's hardly a pub on the M.1 or M.6 which we the last day at Inverary we all got covered by snow have not visited and there are of course the visits to and nearly trapped in the vehicles by a blizzard! various 'aunts' who just happen to live on route! November 12th saw the W.F.C.D.T. in Gibraltar In fact there is a certain 'aunt' in Manchester who having flown out there by B.E.A. and with the help has a pair of binoculars trained on the M.6 waiting of their air Stewardesses. We carried out an Oper- for our arrival. We have recently had another Long ation Awkward on the Western Fleet on the night of Wheelbase Landrover added to the transport fleet the 13th. We returned from Gib. four days later with but rumours that M.O.D. (N) is supplying the Boss our pockets considerably lighter after visits to the with an 'E' Type should be strongly denied. However Casino. enough of this lighthearted prattle, on to the serious The Team had a weeks rest in Vernon before stuff—what have we been doing? heading North again, this time to assist the Scotland Immediately after the summer leave we flew to Team at Wick. We spent the next ten days clearing Athens in a Hercules accompanied by all our explosives from a war-time wreck at the entrance to vehicles and stores. The aircraft was a trifle cramped Wick harbour. Of course Scottish weather came up but it was worth it for the sunshine we hoped to to expectations with howling gales, raging blizzards enjoy. It was raining on arrival in Athens! For the and thick ice over everything. However relations next two weeks we took part in Exercise Medsweepex with the locals improved each day! '69 and worked with Greek and U.S. Navy diving The final two weeks before Christmas leave have teams. Excellent co-operation was enjoyed though been spent at Portland and visiting Dunlops in at times they wondered at our sense of humour. We Belfast which took the lorry, Manchester. So you see we move around a great returned in an R.A.F. deal. This year promises to be even busier than last landrover with trailer and 14 of us in a fair degree with visits to Italy, South of France and we hope of comfort. The pleasures of Athens and the bikini Norway. If you like plenty of variety with your strewn beach at Glyfada had obviously taken their diving and do not mind being away from home a toll judging by the snores which shook the aircraft good deal, with visits to foreign countries as well, during the flight. then put in for the Team. There is no doubt there Two days after our return we were off to Holland is no better in spite of comments from our Plymouth to take part in Exercise Grey Sextet held at Den brethren on T.V. recently! Helder. This time we travelled by road via the Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry. The exercise was As a finale I give you a quick glance at the present primarily concerned with diving and involved seven Team members, December 1969. diving teams: U.K., Danish, Dutch, French, German Lt. R. J. Riches. The Boss, who is rapidly loosing Norwegian and United States. We had to clear Den what remains of his hair. Helder of mines. Diving was a complete change Chief `Dutchy' Holland. The darling of the from Greece; zero visibility, cold and the bottom Athens social scene and our P.R. man. was soft mud to a depth of 10 feet. However with P.O. Neil Primrose. Who runs the Team stores use of probes we found more mines than anyone else, and a new V.W. 1600 T.L. which reflects on our diving training ? The return P.O. Terry Settle. The present holder of the trip was the reverse of the journey out. fastest time—Portsmouth to Inverness in the 3- After five days in Vernon we were off up North for tonner. 250 feet dips in Loch Ewe. I know the weather in L.S. Ian Duxbury. A native of the highlands and Scotland in October is normally bad but that which authority on whisky. we experienced was quite appalling. We eventually L.S. Ginger Markham. Co-pilot for Terry above. had to shift our attempts at deep dips to Loch Long L.S. Jock Spencer. Another Scotsman, happiest and Loch Fyne where it was a bit more sheltered. in the rain. 4
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk L.S. Wooly II, Wooldridge. Inseperable from A.B. Jan Hadley. Has he cracked yet? Woolly 1. A.B. Chris Crask. He started off so qiuet—now A.B. Wooly, 1 Woolnough. Chief's great friend. meet him if you dare. A.B. 'Stingers' Imray. Always the height of L.M.E. `Mo' Morton. The Chief's oil-filled sartorial elegance. sight-setter. A.B. John Salisbury. The smooth and debonair Good luck to all for 1970 and especially if you man about town. meet the above. FOUR FINS.
The Giant Sea Sock by WADE DOAK
BLE Seaman Kane and I were swimming places with me so I could snap some underwater along a cliff face at 50 feet. I was acting as shots of it. Atourist guide to the Poor Knights' scenery. Samples of its tissues were taken for preservation I pointed out a large Porae sitting in a cup sponge. and scientific examination. The English sailor gave an excited start and to my surprise, chased it down a steep gulley. Just as I The Salp is a compound ascidian related to the started after him, a weired shape loomed just ahead familiar sea squirt of sea shore or jetty piling. In this on the edge of vision: a huge white cylindrical case millions of tiny `tunicate' like animals have form. I had no time to stop and examine it. My combined to produce a huge deep sea diving vehicle diving mate was heading deeper. I grabbed his fin for life support purposes. The ascidian occupies an at 110 feet. He gave a startled shudder. The Porae amazing place in the evolutionary chain. It is much was 50 feet further down. Signalling 'ascend', I more advanced than the invertebrate packhorse cray, urged my partner up the gulley to where I knew having the beginning of a backbone. In fact, the something fantastic awaited us. ascidian belongs to the same chordate phyllum as Man himself. However, the ascidian has foresaken Soon, silhouetted against the surface, it came locomotion. For it, all life offers is a constant flow into view. Kane moved faster now. Wafting gently of nutrient water. on the swells at 50 feet, held out from the cliff face by back pressure, was a giant salp. Ghostly white, Which reminds me of the city-dweller of to- almost four times as long as my body, and as round, morrow, legless before his battery of T.V. consoles, this huge mass of gelatinous tissue looked too frail his every need supplied by electronics. The octopus to withstand touch. Fish were nibbling holes in it is a mere mollusc, like the pipi, but a thousand and Kane saw a Leather jacket right inside the times more intelligent than an ascidian. Whatever cylinder, gorging itself on the jelly. When I grabbed rung of the evolutionary scale an animal occupies, one end I was surprised to find the exterior felt there is always the possibility of his finding a comfy rough and fibrous. Transparent prickles were backwater to stagnate in. And so our brother the embedded in the tissues to strengthen them. The deep ocean salp. body wall was half an inch thick, and the interior, A few days later, diving friends Roger Grace and as smooth as glass. Signalling Kane, we prepared Tony Ayling were diving in the same area when they to swim the huge tube up to the Matira tethered sighted a monstrous salp. 30 feet long and 4 feet in nearby. diameter at one end, it tapered toward the other. As the surface light approached the salp was From the wide end a 30 foot long filamentous tail transformed into a delicate lolly pink, dotted with trailed behind. Nearby was another salp with a body billions of scarlet nucleii. length of 40 feet The team of British Navy divers on the Matira There does not seem to be any real limit to the were startled out of their wits when 'Sugar' Kane size such a creature could attain. and I swam up with the huge undulating sea monster. Footnote: 'Sugar' Kane and the British Navy divers We had already boated a 15 pound packhorse cray, were ecstatic about New Zealand skin-diving "I've to their delight. Now cameras clicked and more dived in Kenya, the Med., South Africa, Hong Kong film whirred as we manoevred it into position. Then and the U.K., I've never seen anything half as good Peter Doherty of the Whangarei Club swapped as the Poor Knights", said 'Sugar'. 5
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Diving Display NAVY DAYS 1969 HE traditional display at Portsmouth Navy Baron's Yacht'. Amid smoke and thunderous bangs Days during August Bank Holiday weekend, the yacht finally sank, but our finale was to dive after Tand it turned out to be more fun for those who it and drive it to the surface under the power of its took part than was anticipated. We certainly used own air tanks. up most of Vernon's allowances of Thunderflashes Whether the crowd enjoyed it or not it kept us and smoke for this year. happily amused. The display took place in No. 1 Basin, which Those taking part were: meant that very little of it happened underwater as L.S. Evenden people:would not have seen it. Fast pick-ups, follow- Lt. A. T. J. Padwick A.B. Crask ed by helicopter jumps, with some home-made P.O. Shennan A.B. West `Historical' gear and 'Standard' demonstrations was L.S. O'Meara L.S. Jamieson how the display started. A short demonstration of L.S. Spencer P.O. France diving equipment came next, while those not in- L.S.S. Mackenzie volved reorganised. In the final ten minutes of the L.S. Shirley P.O. Ayre display we had Chitty Chitty Bang Bang get water- and the Diving Guard of both watches. borne and engage in a grand battle with the 'Wicked
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk New premises for Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit HE Controller of the Navy, Admiral Sir Horace Diving Research Ship H.M.S. Reclaim with scientists Law, K.C.B., 0.B.E., as.o., opened new accom- and essential equipment throughout the Deep Diving Tmodation for the Admiralty Experimental Research carried out since 1962. A series of 600 feet Diving Unit in H.M.S. Vernon. The unit started in working dives were carried out in the Mediterranean 1946, to support the Royal Navy's Clearance Diving in 1965. Branch then developing, and has occupied a variety Co-operative research on diving has been in of temporary accommodation. The new 'Permanent progress with the U.S. Navy's Experimental Diving Home' reflects the importance attached to modern Unit, teams of U.S. Divers being sent over to the diving, especially deep diving, by the Ministry of A.E.D.U. Deep Trials Unit where advanced diving Defence and the Government. trials have been in progress to increase the safety of The accommodation comprises offices, lab- deeper diving, and contribute to the generally scarce oratories, store rooms, a workshop, compass room, fund of knowledge on man's behaviour during drawing office, accommodation for the Experimental prolonged exposure to elevated pressures. Extremely Diving team and associated medical inspection close co-operation is maintained in this work with the rooms. the Royal Naval Physiological Laboratories at The Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit, an Alverstoke, whose grounds house the Deep Trials out-station of the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Unit. This advanced equipment will soon be able to Establishment at Portland, is administered by the test men and equipment under controlled conditions Director of A.U.W.E., Dr. Ralph Benjamin, as a to beyond 1,000 feet in water. The Unit is operated Royal Naval Scientific Service Research and by Lt.-Cdr. W. B. Filer, M.B.E., R.N. (Retd.), who is Development organization, specializing in design of a former diver from H.M.S. Reclaim and was deputy diving equipment and the development of diving Superintendent of Diving in the A.E.D.U., until techniques for the Ministry of Defence. The Unit is 1963. Two Royal Navy divers, Lt. C. Lafferty and directed at Portsmouth by the Officer-in-Charge, P.O. J. D. Clark are taking part in the U.S. Navy Mr. R. P. Common. Staffed by members of the Sealab trials, and A.E.D.U. is supporting these men R.N.S.S., the Unit works closely with the Superin- with some British equipment which will include a tendent of Diving, Commander P. A. White, M.B.E., heated suit for use during the deep sea dives. R.N. and officers and men of the Royal Navy's Among the less glamorous but equally important Diving Branch, to produce all diving equipment and useful tasks undertaken by A.E.D.U. in recent required by the Navy and Royal Marine Divers, years, has been development of power tools for ranging from wet and dry underwater swimmers' divers, and assistance to the Navy in establishing dresses, special underwear, heated suits, and fins or techniques for changing propellors on ships whilst boots, to breathing apparatus, compasses, depth afloat, to avoid the necessity of dry docking. These gauges and compression chambers. techniques have proved of great value in recent Fleet A.E.D.U. has supported the Royal Navy's Deep activities in various parts of the world.
Horsea Island Sub-Aqua Open Day S in previous years it is intended to hold an given at the moment. An extensive rebuilding of the Open Day for Aub-Aqua Clubs at Horsea Diving Section on Horsea Island will be starting AIsland this year. The date will be Sunday 17th soon and detailed planning is impossible until we May, starting at 1300. Clubs member will be able see how this is progressing. Horsea Island is no to meet Royal Navy divers, see and try their equip- longer an island, having been joined to the mainland ment, view static displays and watch various by a motorway roundabout complex being built to demonstrations. the north. By May it is hoped that visitors will be Those Clubs intending to send parties are re- able to drive into the Island direct to the Diving quested to inform the Editor, giving an estimate of Section. the numbers concerned. Tickets and programmes will therefore be for- Unfortunately, details of the Open Day cannot be warded nearer the time to those Clubs concerned. 7
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Lobster a la towse
IKE all crustacea, lobsters should be kept alive until the time of cooking, when they are Lplunged into a boiling liquid. Crabs, on the other hand, must be placed in coldwater and brought to the boil or they may shed their claws. In this recipe, the liquid used is a court-bouillon, or stock, which may be used more than once if required, and is made from the following ingredients: 4 pints of water, k of a lemon, a small piece of orange peel, 2 medium sized onions, 2 cloves of garlic, a piece of fresh fennel or 1 teaspoon of anisette liqueur if available, a bay leaf, a clove, salt and pepper. The lobster is boiled in this bouillon for 15-20 minutes or for 5 minutes per lb. if over 41bs. Re- member, the most common error in preparing lobster, and in fact most other fish, is to overcook it. When done, the lobster should be left to cool in the liquid and when removed, it should be split length- wise down the middle. The stomach, intestines and and a freshly made mayonnaise so that the full dark central vein should be discarded but the grey- natural flavour can be appreciated. A delicious green liver and the coral-coloured roe are considered alternative is to eat it hot with melted butter and to be delicacies and can be used to decorate the lemon wedges. finished dish if desired. Thanks to Triton. I like to serve my lobster cold with a simple salad COLLYER SMITH & Co Ltd INCORPORATED LIFE ASSURANCE BROKERS INCORPORATED INSURANCE BROKERS MORTGAGE BROKERS (Members of Services Insurance Brokers Association) TELEPHONE (3 lines) 319 WEST STREET FAREHAM 2211/2212/2213 FAREHAM, HANTS
All classes of Life and Endowment Assurances, Motor and all General Insurances, Building Society and Endowment Mortgages, Building Society Investments and Unit Trust/Life Assurance arranged
All professional advice FREE OF CHARGE
All enquiries receive the personal attention of a principal
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when not employed on diving duties. duties. diving on employed not when where the work lies. lies. work the where
amongst his duties general help of a marine nature nature marine a of help general duties his amongst `Sits, Vac' in the press will tell the interested applicant applicant interested the tell will press the in Vac' `Sits,
working on a rig or terminal be expected to include include to expected be terminal or rig a on working trade directories, plus keeping an eye open in the the in open eye an keeping plus directories, trade
be the equipment in use. The diver, will, when when will, diver, The use. in equipment the be Openings are available world-wide, and perusal of of perusal and world-wide, available are Openings
can be said that aqua-lung or surface demand will will demand surface or aqua-lung that said be can
productivity. productivity.
water T.V. work is an asset, and bye and large it it large and bye and asset, an is work T.V. water
finance, your employment will necessitate high high necessitate will employment your finance,
Any knowledge of underwater welding or under- or welding underwater of knowledge Any
optimum, but as the whole trade is involved in high high in involved is trade whole the as but optimum,
help over the finer points and technicalities involved. involved. technicalities and points finer the over help Life, food, leave and equipment are usually usually are equipment and leave food, Life,
divers will find a more experienced diver willing to to willing diver experienced more a find will divers
missal. missal.
on a teamwork, rather than individual basis, most most basis, individual than rather teamwork, a on
supply will mean ultimate, if not instantaneous dis- instantaneous not if ultimate, mean will supply
for 'new eyes', and as work in this field is normally normally is field this in work as and eyes', 'new for
idle. A high standard is expected and failure to to failure and expected is standard high A idle.
structions will be given, but there is plenty of room room of plenty is there but given, be will structions
is often hard and arduous, and this life is not for the the for not is life this and arduous, and hard often is
sense and ability to adjust. Normally detailed in- detailed Normally adjust. to ability and sense
of work, volume, etc. is only proportional. The work work The proportional. only is etc. volume, work, of
to the qualified diver is largely a matter of common common of matter a largely is diver qualified the to
conditions tend to be at peak, but the importance importance the but peak, at be to tend conditions
This job calls for some specialised knowledge, but but knowledge, specialised some for calls job This
When working with oil companies, salaries and and salaries companies, oil with working When
loading terminal operation, etc. etc. operation, terminal loading
`pointers' can be given. given. be can `pointers'
operations, pipeline laying, rig tendance, offshore offshore tendance, rig laying, pipeline operations,
as such a wide field is covered, however, a few few a however, covered, is field wide a such as
Including a wide range of drilling support support drilling of range wide a Including
mention salaries, employers, etc. in general terms terms general in etc. employers, salaries, mention
Offshore Oil: Oil: Offshore In an article of this nature it is impossible to to impossible is it nature this of article an In
Conditions: Conditions:
to be employed in any of the following catagories:— catagories:— following the of any in employed be to
preferred. preferred. Roughly speaking the diver in civil life can expect expect can life civil in diver the speaking Roughly
doubling as divers being somewhat naturally naturally somewhat being divers as doubling
scope of diving techniques and equipment. equipment. and techniques diving of scope
Again, strictly limited, scientifically trained staff, staff, trained scientifically limited, strictly Again,
under-developed countries, and finally the widening widening the finally and countries, under-developed
Pure Research: Research: Pure larger tonnage shipping, development of formerly formerly of development shipping, tonnage larger
many of the world's harbours to accommodate accommodate to harbours world's the of many
R.N. Divers! Divers! R.N.
in the oil and natural gas industry, the deepening of of deepening the industry, gas natural and oil the in
the staff of the Seaquarium at Miami were all ex- all were Miami at Seaquarium the of staff the
must be included the ever increasing offshore work work offshore increasing ever the included be must
It is of interest though, that until recently anyway, anyway, recently until that though, interest of is It
This may be due to several factors, amongst which which amongst factors, several to due be may This most posts are filled by scientific staff who can dive. dive. can who staff scientific by filled are posts most
The diving trade is at present flourishing 'outside'. 'outside'. flourishing present at is trade diving The
is for the Biologist first, and diver secondly, and and secondly, diver and first, Biologist the for is
is my story and I am sticking to it! it! to sticking am I and story my is underwater. It is, however, limited as the main call call main the as limited however, is, It underwater.
employment myself by civilian contractors, but this this but contractors, civilian by myself employment ially to the true diver, with an interest in all things things all in interest an with diver, true the to ially
I I say may successfully disqualify me from future future from me disqualify successfully may say This, at least to me, is of extreme interest, espec- interest, extreme of is me, to least at This,
side of the M.O.D. (Navy Dept.), and much of what what of much and Dept.), (Navy M.O.D. the of side Marine Biology: Biology: Marine
I do not intend to compete with the Recruiting Recruiting the with compete to intend not do I
tions, etc. are added requirements. requirements. added are etc. tions,
career diver of the R.N. about to leave the service. service. the leave to about R.N. the of diver career
steel construction is of assistance. Welding, demoli- Welding, assistance. of is construction steel
some knowledge of civillian diving conditions to the the to conditions diving civillian of knowledge some
Knowledge of elementary carpentry, concrete and and concrete carpentry, elementary of Knowledge
The purpose in this instance, is to try and give give and try to is instance, this in purpose The
will come naturally. naturally. come will
epistle to try and make up for some lost ground. ground. lost some for up make and try to epistle
and terminology and interpretation of drawings, etc. etc. drawings, of interpretation and terminology and
to the the to R.N. DIVING MAGAZINE, MAGAZINE, DIVING R.N. but hope with this this with hope but
Again, common sense is the main requirement, requirement, main the is sense common Again,
I am sorry it is sometime since I have contributed contributed have I since sometime is it sorry am I
lacking in interest, as is inland waterways work. work. waterways inland is as interest, in lacking
Dear Editor, Editor, Dear with port authorities, etc. is unrewarding work and and work unrewarding is etc. authorities, port with
Speaking generally, harbour maintenance work work maintenance harbour generally, Speaking
waterways, pipe laying, etc. etc. laying, pipe waterways, 14th August 1969. 1969. August 14th
and maintenance, survey, sea-bed sampling, inland inland sampling, sea-bed survey, maintenance, and Saudi Arabia. Arabia. Saudi
bridge building and tunnel work, dam construction construction dam work, tunnel and building bridge Jeddah, Jeddah,
construction and maintenance, to new development, development, new to maintenance, and construction P.O. Box 1530, 1530, Box P.O.
This field covers a very wide range, from harbour harbour from range, wide very a covers field This Sir William Halcrow & Partners, Partners, & Halcrow William Sir C/0 C/0
M. R. Pemberton, Pemberton, R. M. M.B.E., M.B.E., Civil Engineering: Engineering: Civil
Civilian Diving Diving Civilian www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk In the Civil Engineering field a very wide range of yourself will work in co-operation with an engineer, salaries are offered, with an equally wide range of who in turn works under a chief engineer, who again side benefits and 'perks'. Normally, overseas, the works under the overall control of the 'Agent', who batchelor can expect `batchelor messing', i.e., accom- is responsible to the Company Management for the modation with power, water, etc. included, often progress of the job, pricing of same, and who enjoys with minimal household staff, and often food, or considerable local control. (If any `Agents' read this, cash allowance in lieu. Payment will usually be by they may well consider my choice of the word salary, sometimes with additional `diving time' and `enjoy'!) In Naval parlance, the Agent is roughly bonus, dependant solely upon output. Duty trans- the `Skipper', but he is answerable to a Flag. In a port may also usually be expected. For the married, similar manner, the skipper has his heads of depart- many jobs, but few of short durations, are 'accom- ment. The point remains, that no matter who or panied' with suitable accommodation, though what you were in the service, you are still initially frequently 'soft' furnishings will have to be provided. very much a beginner in the outside world. Many an (This due largely to the fact that most wives dis- ex-R.N. Diver has come a cropper by being a approve of company provided crockery, curtains, `know-it-all', and this attitude will be of no avail, etc. !) Children up to a usual limit of three in number, and only ridicule yourself. and normally under 18 years of age will be provided Providing the diver is willing to learn, which can with passage to and from point of origon to employ- be done every day, he can become a very useful ment local. member of a team which consists not necessarily of Medical attention is normally provided free as divers alone. part of the contract. Some of the 'older citizens' of the diving world It should be remembered that contracts are legally who read this article will remember the well adver- binding, and will cover such items as salary, duties, tised controversy of equipment choice, i.e., 'Steamer accommodation, transportation, leave, etc., and versus Corkhead'. This I discussed in a previous failure to respect such conditions may result in the R.N. DIVING MAGAZINE article, but it never-the-less culprit paying his own (and families) return fare, prevails. Some of the older civilian divers you will forfeiture of leave, etc. find still prefer to use helmeted equipment, even in extreme climates. As they are often the more senior, Generalisation: you too will have to be prepared to use what equip- ment is at hand. I still maintain that a diver, and The `chain of command' exists in civilian life as well the equipment, always providing of course that as service life, and is just as necessary. Taking the Civil it is reputable and in good repair is purely a ways Engineering aspect alone, the chain may be described and means of performing a duty, and prima- as follows: (in order of ascent). donnerish choices and demands for certain equip- Diver ment can be another downfall of the transitionary Chargehand Diver diver. It must be remembered that diving equipment Foreman Diver is a heavy capital expenditure, and catering to per- Diving Superintendant sonal whims is not a part of any commercial com- Management. pany. Along the line however, you may well find yourself My own findings about the totally civilian diver working under direct orders from non-diving are that they are usually not too keenly appreciative personnel, but because they are not diving folk does of the `Navy Diver', but this is partly the fault of the not mean that they are not familiar with the problems `know-it-all' diver. Most civilian divers are extremely of diving, or of the output that is expected of a diver, capable, certainly as practical divers, though their in fact, many of this category of staff have a very wide knowledge of decompression and use of more knowledge of conditions, so don't try to bluff your sophisticated equipment may be rather limited. way through! The attitude of some civilian divers can be Again, concerning Civil Engineering, you may obnoxious however, but again my findings of this work under a section foreman, who will be respon- case is restricted to cases where someone has a sible for your duties as only part of a whole. He in limited knowledge, usually gained by `a friend', and turn will work under jurisdiction of a General has come into the trade in a very limited scene, and Foreman, who is virtually the Chief Buffer of the is somewhat apprehensive of a newcomer who may job in hand. Technical advice may be sought from well have superior knowledge. Age, regardless of trades foremen, such as concrete, carpentry, shot experience and training tends to be the perogative in blasting, dredging, etc., and they in turn, as indeed `outside' life, and the newcomer need not be abashed 10
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11 11
and crossed. crossed. and
should be made out to the 'Divers Annual Dinner' Dinner' Annual 'Divers the to out made be should
the receipt of money. Postal orders and Cheques Cheques and orders Postal money. of receipt the
Editor. Editor. soon as possible. No bookings can be made without without made be can bookings No possible. as soon
The price being 17/6, enquiries and orders to the the to orders and enquiries 17/6, being price The applications should be forwarded to the Editor as as Editor the to forwarded be should applications
In order to make the best possible arrangements, arrangements, possible best the make to order In the background then painted black. black. painted then background the
The helmet produced in relief in a metal surround, surround, metal a in relief in produced helmet The be £2 2s. Od. Od. 2s. £2 be
ever rising costs the price of a ticket this year will will year this ticket a of price the costs rising ever It is hoped soon to get cuff-links made. made. cuff-links get to soon hoped is It
T nesday 4th November. Unfortunately due to to due Unfortunately November. 4th nesday
will be held at Kimbell's Ballroom on Wed- on Ballroom Kimbell's at held be will
HE Annual Diver's Reunion Dinner for 1970 1970 for Dinner Reunion Diver's Annual HE
Cuff-Links Cuff-Links
Diver's Annual Reunion Dinner Dinner Reunion Annual Diver's
thus increasing your own knowledge. knowledge. own your increasing thus earning potential. potential. earning
Be prepared to undertake duties other than diving, diving, than other duties undertake to prepared Be respect, and you should know roughly your own own your roughly know should you and respect,
work with, some initiative has to be shown in this this in shown be to has initiative some with, work Stay clear of all union activity. activity. union all of clear Stay
I cannot, and will not advise individual firms to to firms individual advise not will and cannot, I
Provide a good days work for a good days pay. pay. days good a for work days good a Provide
whilst submerged that counts. counts. that submerged whilst
appertaining. appertaining.
life the diving is the least part, it is what you do do you what is it part, least the is diving the life
Enquire fully at interview as to all conditions conditions all to as interview at fully Enquire
summary I cannot stress too much, how in civilian civilian in how much, too stress cannot I summary
desires. desires. up any controversy, so much the better. In final final In better. the much so controversy, any up
Look for a company which which company a for Look consider suits your your suits consider you you are of my own experience, but if this article can stir stir can article this if but experience, own my of are
Offshore Oil and Gas and other fields. The views views The fields. other and Gas and Oil Offshore accomplishment. accomplishment.
eering aspect, the views above are applicable to to applicable are above views the aspect, eering Look for a company with a history of diving diving of history a with company a for Look
Although Although I I have kept manily to the Civil Engin- Civil the to manily kept have
When Seeking Employment, DO: DO: Employment, Seeking When
(unless your capital is £30,000+ !) !) £30,000+ is capital your (unless
Link up with speculators, or 'one-man-bands' 'one-man-bands' or speculators, with up Link divers, and it is up to them not to let the side down. down. side the let to not them to up is it and divers,
Most firms show a preference for service trained trained service for preference a show firms Most Expect to be the conquering hero. hero. conquering the be to Expect
work. work. Accept lowered safety standards. standards. safety lowered Accept
firms give a very fair deal in return for a fair days days fair a for return in deal fair very a give firms
Be a 'know-it-all'. 'know-it-all'. a Be
The company is convivial, and the vast majority of of majority vast the and convivial, is company The
Expect high salary for low output. output. low for salary high Expect R.N.P.L., etc. is well advised to follow the trade. trade. the follow to advised well is etc. R.N.P.L.,
with the background work of the trials teams, teams, trials the of work background the with a later stage. stage. later a
anyone who has had the benefit of Naval training, training, Naval of benefit the had has who anyone Sign a contract, then expect to alter conditions at at conditions alter to expect then contract, a Sign
diving is a fine life, full of interest and to my mind, mind, my to and interest of full life, fine a is diving
ignorant of. of. ignorant
and even the cold North Sea, and and Sea, North cold the even and can say that that say can I I
knowledge, also state what aspects you are rusty or or rusty are you aspects what state also knowledge,
Arabian Gulf, Mediterranean, Red Sea (three times) times) (three Sea Red Mediterranean, Gulf, Arabian
`Spin a a `Spin Ditty' at interviews, give experience and and experience give interviews, at Ditty'
employment in such areas as the Bahamas, U.S.A., U.S.A., Bahamas, the as areas such in employment
DO NOT: NOT: DO
have now completed 11 years of happy civilian civilian happy of years 11 completed now have I I
I I came out on?' on?' out came especially if used to rank. rank. to used if especially
my suitcase, and where can I tie-up the Battleship Battleship the tie-up I can where and suitcase, my Don't be afraid to go down a peg initially, initially, peg a down go to afraid be Don't
regret to say my answer was 'Yes, my uniform is in in is uniform my 'Yes, was answer my say to regret I I
Don't be afraid to ask. ask. to afraid be Don't
introduction of, 'are you a Bloody Navy Diver?' Diver?' Navy Bloody a you 'are of, introduction
Use common sense. sense. common Use only to be greeted by a well known 'phoney' with the the with 'phoney' known well a by greeted be to only
10 years of civilian diving I appeared on a new job, job, new a on appeared I diving civilian of years 10 schedules. schedules.
One occasion when I did become annoyed was after after was annoyed become did I when occasion One Follow all safety regulations and decompression decompression and regulations safety all Follow
usually soon be recognised. recognised. be soon usually MAGAZINE. MAGAZINE.
it. Deeds speak louder than words, and this will will this and words, than louder speak Deeds it. magazine articles and not least the the least not and articles magazine R.N. DIVING DIVING R.N.
by this, providing he is somewhat diplomatic about about diplomatic somewhat is he providing this, by Keep in touch with modern trends, through through trends, modern with touch in Keep www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
P.O. UNIFORM SUITS ONLY E10.10-0 Ready to Wear 34"-42" Chest
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R.N. SHIPS CRESTS HAND PAINTED Regt. and Sports PLAQUES Clubs, etc. Any design to order 35/6 each
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also at Devonport, Gosport, Portland, Scotland, Valletta Malta
12
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Merry Mac's Morbid Musings
S a small token of appreciation for an enjoy- Bombs, Underwater Stores, Mortars and Fuzes. able two weeks training, I promised the Editor R.O.F., Chorley, Lancashire Aa short article for the magazine, so here goes. The manufacture and filling of initiating compo- Whilst undergoing the above training I frequently sitions. Filling of caps, detonators, primers, fuzes, told people that I worked at the Royal Ordnance shells, cartridges, small rocket motors, engine Factory at Bishopton. This was usually followed by starters, seat ejection cartridges, pyrotechnics and the query, what is a Royal Ordnance Factory guided weapon components. There is within R.O.F., (R.O.F.), and, where is Bishopton? Bishopton is in Chorley a Naval Proof Yard controlled by the Renfrewshire, Scotland and lies six miles West of Inspector of Naval Ordnance. As with all R.O.F's Paisley. engaged in actual manufacture and filling of ex- The R.O.F. at Bishopton was built immediately plosives, R.O.F., Chorley covers a very large area. before the Second World War and was intended to In the middle of this R.O.F. an eighteenth century replace the Royal Gunpowder Factory at Waltham dwelling has been restored to its original state in Abbey. R.O.F., Bishopton is now the main propel- regard to colour and fittings, as it is preserved as a lant factory in the U.K. and is engaged in the historical building. The original owner of this house manufacture of propellants for guns, guided weapons, forsook all, and went to follow Bonnie Prince Charlie rockets and small arms, and has facilities for the (the Young Pretender) on his march to the south production of all the intermediate products required, (Derby). Unfortunately, like many another loyal i.e. nitric and sulphuric acids, picrite, nitro cellulose, follower of Charlie he was killed in action, so did nitro-glycerine and ammonium perchlorate. The not return to his beautiful home. factory also undertakes the filling of rocket motors R.O.F., Radway Green, Alsuger, Crewe. Cheshire for guided weapons, the filling of mortar bombs and Produces small arms ammunition, detonator tubes shells with phosphorus, and the breakdown of and other ancillary items, e.g. steel ammunition ammunition. Examples of the latter at present are boxes. squid projectiles and M.5 mines being boiled out and There is an extensive small arms Proof Range. inert filled. It seems a shame to see all that lovely It should be noted that Bishopton, Bridgwater, minol and torpex going up in steam and smoke. Glascoed, Chorley and Radway Green are all filling As District Inspector of Naval Ordnance, Bishopton, factories, i.e. they all deal with explosives. The the author is also responsible for the inspection of remainder of the factories (R.O.F's) although Naval contracts at I.C.I. Nobel Division, Ardeer. producing armaments do not manufacture or fill Typical products from Ardeer will be familiar to all explosives. clearance divers, e.g. No. 80 Dets, No. 11 Safety R.O.F., Blackburn, Lancashire Fuze and Cordtex. (If your charges fail, blame Mac). Production of Fuzes of all types, Safety and Including R.O.F., Bishopton, there are now 11 Arming Mechanisms for Guided Missles, Clock- R.O.F's in various parts of the United Kingdom. work Mechanisms, and a wide range of Electronic Each factory has a particular role and a range of Equipment. manufacturing facilities appropriate to the products for which it is responsible. The following list gives R.O.F., Birtley, Co. Durham brief details of the work carried out at each factory. Brass and steel cartridge cases, shot and shell. It is worthy of note that all these R.O.F's are under R.O.F., Patricroft, Eccles, Manchester the Army Department of the Ministry of Defence, Warheads, Bombs, Shells and Ceramic Radomes. although Naval weapons and explosives are pro- R.O.F., King's Meadow, Nottingham duced by them. Guns, Mountings, Mortars (bombs), Rocket R.O.F., Bridgwater, Somerset Launchers and Vehicle Recovery Equipment. This factory is equipped primarily for the manu- R.O.F., Leeds facture of high explosives and plastic propellant. Tanks, Atmoured Fighting Vehicles and associated Typical products are R.D.X., H.M.X., Tetric Acid, equipment. Formaldehyde and Hexamine. P.E.4 and Sheet Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, Middlesex Explosives are also produced at Bridgwater. Production of Small Arms, Cannons for Aircraft R.O.F., Glascoed, Usk, Monmouthshire and Vehicles, Machine Guns, Rifles and Bayonets. Filling of High Explosives into War-heads, Shells, MAC. 13
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk A Diver's Guide to Sharks Part 2
11. The Phenomenom of Blood Lust Recently some useful discoveries have been made. Some of the worst collective tragedies caused by It has been found that all sharks find the contact of sharks have been associated with the swimming clean bare metal on their skins distasteful and survivors from sinking ships or other marine seldom attack an object with a metallic surface. disasters in tropical waters. It is a fact that whilst a Whilst some fish have little fear of an electric field, lone shark may leave a tempting bait untouched, in the shark is sensitive to electric shock and battons certain circumstances a horrifying blood lust can designed to give a high voltage discharge on contact seize sharks when they are in numbers at the scene are reasonably effective deterrent weapons against of an attack. Excited by the sight and smell of an shark attack. Recent research with chemical attack by one of their number they will suddenly repellants whose role is to irritate and engorge the throw all caution to the winds and attack and re- membrane of the gill organs have proved that these attack everything in their vicinity including each substances are effective in discouraging and indeed other. Other sharks, attracted by the commotion incapacitating if put into solution in the sea-water and carnage will close the scene and possessed by the near the shark. It is believed that the insecticides same feeding frenzy, kill and gorge themselves until used by Asian spear fishermen have this effect, as do satisfied. silicone-based compounds used in agriculture to seal irrigation canals against seepage.
12. Measures to Prevent Shark Attack 13. Commercial Value of Sharks Ways of discouraging shark attack are the subject of constant research. Disappointingly few valid Sharks are caught commercially for flesh which findings have been forthcoming. Sharks seem to be after processing makes excellent eating, for the skins, remarkably resistant and unpredictable. Under- which when cured provides an exceptionally strong water explosions fatal to most fish in the vicinity leather, for shark liver oil, and for the fins, the often leave sharks unworried. Harpoon and knife gelatinous matter of which is prized by the oriental wounds, blows and rifle bullets unless directed at as a culinary delicacy. vital spots do not discourage them and have the corrollary disadvantage of attracting other sharks to 14. Conclusions the scene. Many divers with experience say that The shark remains something of a mystery. A shouting underwater will frighten a curious shark throwback to the earliest stages of evolution, his away. Research does not bear this out, although it magnificent vitality and power have enabled him to may succeed if the shark is at close quarters and the survive and to thrive through eons of time unchanged. shout is loud and abrupt. When the shark is not Adaptable, tough, predatory and unpredictable, this close by, shouting is more likely to arouse curiosity creature deserves our respect. Newcomers to the and should not be attempted. The various chemical sea as we are we should give him a wide berth, shark repellants developed during the Second World leaving him to his dominion. War have proved to be of very limited effectiveness. In Australia, where intrepid spear fishermen hunt sharks (an excessively risky proceeding), hypodermic harpoons charged with poison and harpoons or Hawaiian slings with .a buckshot explosive cartridge or rifle bullet in the head are used successfully. Moreover these divers have perfected the skill of shooting sharks with an unbarbed harpoon straight through the brain, which is to say from directly above, aiming between and slightly behind the eyes. However, they are trained, equipped and organised specifically for this sport which service divers are not, and we should never attempt to defend ourselves with these weapons in the course of routine diving. 14
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15 15
Our Jack would sail through hell. hell. through sail would Jack Our If someone robs them of their rum? rum? their of them robs someone If
With a 'tot' inside his belly belly his inside 'tot' a With In short, will silent salts stay dumb dumb stay salts silent will short, In
As he faced the shot and shell? shell? and shot the faced he As Of taking 'sippers' from the boys. boys. the from 'sippers' taking Of
Did Jack flinch at Trafalgar Trafalgar at flinch Jack Did And all the lethal birthday joys joys birthday lethal the all And
Of challenging these sacred measures measures sacred these challenging Of
Abandon all those mid-day pleasures pleasures mid-day those all Abandon They don't mean French champagne. champagne. French mean don't They
And when they talk of 'bubbly' 'bubbly' of talk they when And
That fills his veins with Nelson's blood? blood? Nelson's with veins his fills That `It will never be the same!' same!' the be never will `It
Must Jack forgo the fiery flood flood fiery the forgo Jack Must You will hear old sailors saying saying sailors old hear will You
Are we to lose this stirring call? call? stirring this lose to we Are
`Up spirits!' bo'sun's mates now bawl, bawl, now mates bo'sun's spirits!' `Up
On the side of a `goffa' machine. machine. `goffa' a of side the On
Without his grog—his tonsil lotion? lotion? tonsil grog—his his Without
But the motto looks quite silly silly quite looks motto the But
How will the sea-dog plough the ocean ocean the plough sea-dog the will How
Is still there to be seen seen be to there still Is
Without its hallowed cackle-gravy? cackle-gravy? hallowed its Without
The legend on the Rumtub Rumtub the on legend The
With all its side effects profuse. profuse. effects side its all With
You can't go very far. far. very go can't You That daily jolt of giggle-juice giggle-juice of jolt daily That
When your belly's full of limers' limers' of full belly's your When Is out to stop the sailor's tot— tot— sailor's the stop to out Is
Or West of Panama— Panama— of West Or Some Civil Servant like as not, not, as like Servant Civil Some
Oh they don't go East of Suez, Suez, of East go don't they Oh On sinful sabotage intent intent sabotage sinful On
It seems some sacrilegious gent gent sacrilegious some seems It
Are making Jolly Jack look glum— glum— look Jack Jolly making Are Was the day they Stopped the `tot'. `tot'. the Stopped they day the Was
Right now some rumours rather rum rum rather rumours some now Right The day that killed the Andrew Andrew the killed that day The
The beginning of the rot, rot, the of beginning The
And, if you are reeling up to it, here's another ...... another here's it, to up reeling are you if And, In the Navy of the seventies, seventies, the of Navy the In
closed source'. source'. closed
circulating in the Portsmouth area from an 'undis- an from area Portsmouth the in circulating
`campaign' literature. Below is a poem currently currently poem a is Below literature. `campaign' Is: Leave his 'tot' alone! alone! 'tot' his Leave Is:
Preservationists have become poetic in their their in poetic become have Preservationists And all he asks in fairness fairness in asks he all And
To country and to throne, throne, to and country To
IN CIRCULATION CIRCULATION IN
He's always done his duty duty his done always He's
kept secrets, writes writes secrets, kept
The News News The Naval Correspondent. Correspondent. Naval Who dares to stop his 'tot'? 'tot'? his stop to dares Who
identity of its distributors is one of the Navy's best- Navy's the of one is distributors its of identity
And after Trafalgar and Jutland Jutland and Trafalgar after And
Inquiries to trace its origin have revealed that the the that revealed have origin its trace to Inquiries
Who doesn't ask a lot, lot, a ask doesn't Who
Now Jack's a humble sailor, sailor, humble a Jack's Now cars is a new one . . . 'Save The Tot'. Tot'. The 'Save . . . one new a is cars
Navy' labels which appear in the rear windows of of windows rear the in appear which labels Navy'
Joining those 'Fly Navy', 'Dive Navy' and 'Sail 'Sail and Navy' 'Dive Navy', 'Fly those Joining Doesn't always work at sea. sea. at work always Doesn't
But what works fine on paper paper on fine works what But
traditional sippers. sippers. traditional
And cry 'More efficiency'— 'More cry And
campaign is being mounted to gain support for the the for support gain to mounted being is campaign
Their Lordships sip their sherry sherry their sip Lordships Their
Senior Service's daily rum ration, a publicity publicity a ration, rum daily Service's Senior
As the Admiralty Board discusses the future of the the of future the discusses Board Admiralty the As From Jutland to Japan. Japan. to Jutland From
A the Royal Navy's tot. tot. Navy's Royal the Jack drinks the health of Nelson Nelson of health the drinks Jack
gathering forces to fight for the retention of of retention the for fight to forces gathering Since the Andrew first began, began, first Andrew the Since
N underground resistance movement is is movement resistance underground N At ten to twelve each forenoon, forenoon, each twelve to ten At
over its Rum Rum its over
The Navy Waxes Lyrical Lyrical Waxes Navy The www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
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16
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17 17
1969. 1969.
Bronington, Bronington, based at Rosyth, Scotland, in November November in Scotland, Rosyth, at based
Diver on 7th November, and joined H.M.S. H.M.S. joined and November, 7th on Diver
successfully completed the course for Clearance Clearance for course the completed successfully
to H.M.S. H.M.S. to Vernon, Vernon, Portsmouth, for training. He He training. for Portsmouth,
completion volunteered to be a diver and was sent sent was and diver a be to volunteered completion
training at H.M.S. H.M.S. at training Ganges, Ganges, Harwich, Suffolk and on on and Suffolk Harwich,
Royal Navy in September 1968. He did his basic basic his did He 1968. September in Navy Royal
and Hillhead Secondary Modern School joined the the joined School Modern Secondary Hillhead and
Ian, a former pupil of Lobley Hill Juniors School School Juniors Hill Lobley of pupil former a Ian,
as a Clearance Diver in the Royal Navy. Navy. Royal the in Diver Clearance a as
J Co. Durham, is the youngest man ever to qualify qualify to ever man youngest the is Durham, Co.
parents live at 13 Malvern Gardens, Gateshead, Gateshead, Gardens, Malvern 13 at live parents
UNIOR Seamen Ian Kelly, age 16, whose whose 16, age Kelly, Ian Seamen UNIOR
10th November 1969. 1969. November 10th
H.M.S. H.M.S. Vernon. Vernon.
Instructional Diving Section, Section, Diving Instructional
Clearance Diver Diver Clearance
Youngest Naval Naval Youngest
hundred yards in the air—a truly remarkable sight. sight. remarkable truly air—a the in yards hundred
who was following close behind—he walked the next next the walked behind—he close following was who
basking in the sun and forgot to warn 'Tom Norman' Norman' 'Tom warn to forgot and sun the in basking (Strongwork Jungle Dept.) Dept.) Jungle (Strongwork
by fast moving trains. I spotted a large adder adder large a spotted I trains. moving fast by BOB KEAN KEAN BOB
We have twice narrowly missed being run down down run being missed narrowly twice have We
Goodbye until then. then. until Goodbye
land plant known as stinging nettles. nettles. stinging as known plant land
holds out we should be back at base on Friday. Friday. on base at back be should we out holds
shreds by thorns, we are badly stung by a strange strange a by stung badly are we thorns, by shreds
If we avoid getting swamp fever and our strength strength our and fever swamp getting avoid we If
flood arches and culverts—our bodies are torn to to torn are bodies culverts—our and arches flood
settle for a cup of that foul coffee from the machine. machine. the from coffee foul that of cup a for settle
W tracks and bridle paths in search of elusive elusive of search in paths bridle and tracks
mouths are too dry and swollen, we would even even would we swollen, and dry too are mouths
miles, across meadows, cornfields, railway railway cornfields, meadows, across miles,
to take us everywhere. We don't talk much as our our as much talk don't We everywhere. us take to
E have walked this week about five hundred hundred five about week this walked have E
the good old days in the Navy when we had a ship ship a had we when Navy the in days old good the
To anyone who cares: cares: who anyone To
ahead like a lot of frustrated ducks. We remember remember We ducks. frustrated of lot a like ahead
Lesser Stow-on-the-Wold. Stow-on-the-Wold. Lesser are dry and so continue on in the merciless heat line line heat merciless the in on continue so and dry are
PosrnoN:—somewhere PosrnoN:—somewhere between Chipping Norton and and Norton Chipping between When we eventually find the culverts we find they they find we culverts the find eventually we When
July the something or other other or something the July www.mcdoa.org.uk
www.mcdoa.org.uk
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www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Report from the Deep Trials Unit JANUARY 1970 by UNCLE 'BILL'
HE five yearly test and refit programme for the the first place, and for the R.N. acceptance if con- Deep Trials Unit started 1st May 1969. The sidered appropriate. These tables cater for dives to 250 Tinstallation of the 02He supply and reclamation feet on air and allow longer bottom times than ours system was carefully dovetailed into the programme existing tables—at a price of course! They also cater in an effort to avoid loss of valuable operational time. for breathing Oxygen during decompression and for Regrettably, in spite of the strongest possible pro- repetitive dives, the latter I am pleased to say in a tests at the delay, the refit and extension of the logical and seamanlike manner. 171 check dives facility, which was originally scheduled for com- were made in D.T.U. before further testing by petition on 1st October 1969, is still being pro- H.M.S. Reclaim at sea. Reclaim achieved 168 dives. gressed as I write in the 1st week of January 1970. Five bends resulted, four in D.T.U., one at 160 feet The excuses for the blatant inaccuracy of the for 30 minutes, two at 160 feet for 1 hour and one `completion date' have an all too familiar ring and I at 240 feet for 15 minutes, all successfully treated will not bore you with them, but in case you should on Table 6A. Reclaim suffered only one bend at draw the wrong conclusions, I must just say that 250 feet this, incidentally, being the first time I can the delay is no fault of the Dockyard Departments remember Sea Trials producing less bends incidence who have been eager, helpful and on schedule than simulated chamber dives—perhaps D.T.U. is throughout. A realistic date for resuming operations, physiologically more realistic than we are sometimes which is purely my personal opinion, is the 1st June given credit for! 1970. Sad and frustrating just about sums up the This programme which aims at providing sat- situation, however it's an ill wind that doesn't blow uration diving schedules to 600 feet was started with good somewhere and for us it has been a question of nine dives to 300 feet for 4 hours as a check out-for capitalising on the extra time available to get a lot procedure, control and instrumentation. These dives more done on the Dockyard side than would have proved very satisfactory and were followed by nine been possible under the original time scale. We have dives to 300 feet for 8 hours and six dives to 450 not been idle either because apart from dealing with feet for 4 hours. the many problems, snags and the impossible In spite of a very light work routine 4 minutes interpretation of the draughtsman's 'warm office rowing every hour, four bends developed. This led concepts', we have been giving back-up and 'subject' to a departure from stage decompression to a support to R.N.P.L's programme for a 1,500 foot continuous bleed routine but even this was not dive, the latter item being a terrific morale booster entirely successful. This work will be continued in view of our temporary enforced inability to when D.T.U. gets back on the 'duty free' list. By progress the R.N. Deep Diving Research Policy. then Oxy-Helium diving should not be such an Before giving a summary of the 'Alterations and expensive business, but more of this later. Additions' that are taking place in D.T.U. it might be as well to look back to what we achieved just Western Fleet and H.M.S. 'Reclaim' Work-up and prior to being 'taken in hand' by the Dockyard and Training Dives Contractors:— During the period under review (i.e. October 1968 to May 1969) the Western Fleet and H.M.S. Reclaim Testing of the 1968 Decompression Tables teams came to us for work-up dives to 250 feet. These tables were devised from the analysis of a Training classes were dived whenever possible for a vast number of 'dives' carried out in connection with pre-taste of their imminent sea dives to 180 feet with compressed air work in caissons and tunnels. They C.D.B.A., and to 250 feet with S.D.D.E. The were first tested during the construction of the `flavour' of the breathing media at these depths, Blackpool Sewage Outfall after which, they were frequently surprises the candidates, and the diving thought to be suitable for divers! The Royal Naval training staff, and we at the D.T.U. feel that the Physiological Laboratories produced the tables in experience gained is immensely valuable to the the form you see here for the benefit of industry in trainees before they embark on their open sea dives 20
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21 21
B.I.P.M. B.I.P.M. they are required for diving and to recover, purify purify recover, to and diving for required are they
extend their depth capability to 600 feet. feet. 600 to capability depth their extend pressure of 4,000 p.s.i., to deliver these gases to where where to gases these deliver to p.s.i., 4,000 of pressure
in our future programme to confirm this, and to to and this, confirm to programme future our in various mixtures required for B.I.B.S. at a maximum maximum a at B.I.B.S. for required mixtures various
practice. They have requested a further two weeks weeks two further a requested have They practice. of this installations are to store Oxygen, Helium and and Helium Oxygen, store to are installations this of
from the divers that their theory works out in in out works theory their that divers the from feet from it in a northerly direction. The functions functions The direction. northerly a in it from feet
taken, they were satisfied from the objective reports reports objective the from satisfied were they taken, married to our original structure and extending 60 60 extending and structure original our to married
feet and although no precise measurements were were measurements precise no although and feet This Unit is being installed in a new building building new a in installed being is Unit This
achieved 32 dives at depths ranging from 90 to 350 350 to 90 from ranging depths at dives 32 achieved
Oxy-Helium Supply and Reclamation Unit Unit Reclamation and Supply Oxy-Helium
In the short time at their disposal, Strongwork Strongwork disposal, their at time short the In
bread and butter for the immediate future. future. immediate the for butter and bread components being introduced during this refit:— refit:— this during introduced being components
Strongwork figure will adequately provide their their provide adequately will figure Strongwork I will give you a few very brief details of the new new the of details brief very few a you give will I
moderately deep depths of 350-400 feet which which feet 350-400 of depths deep moderately to assure you that we are not resting on our laurels, laurels, our on resting not are we that you assure to
philosophy was intended to cover diving down to to down diving cover to intended was philosophy There is no room for complacency however, and and however, complacency for room no is There
problem to remote diving sites such as oil rigs. This This rigs. oil as such sites diving remote to problem
excellent. excellent.
available, which would greatly simplify the supply supply the simplify greatly would which available,
depth, its performance and degree of control proved proved control of degree and performance its depth,
would only be necessary to have air and helium gases gases helium and air have to necessary be only would
operated D.T.U. for a manned dive to maximum maximum to dive manned a for D.T.U. operated
tremendous benefit logistically, inasmuch that it it that inasmuch logistically, benefit tremendous
Buhlman venture was the first time that we have have we that time first the was venture Buhlman
at the same time, if successful, would provide provide would successful, if time, same the at
the new look D.T.U. I would just add that the the that add just would I D.T.U. look new the
and speech problems associated with Helium and, and, Helium with associated problems speech and
Before passing on to a few brief comments about about comments brief few a to on passing Before
without creating, to any significant extent, the cold cold the extent, significant any to creating, without
value by observing it in use at its maximum depth. depth. maximum its at use in it observing by value with Helium would ease the air narcosis problem problem narcosis air the ease would Helium with
existence and what is more we can assess its apparent apparent its assess can we more is what and existence for 10 days to test Harry's theory that Air diluted diluted Air that theory Harry's test to days 10 for
the showroom for the most advanced equipment in in equipment advanced most the for showroom the
C.D.O. stalwarts Harry Wardle and Jack Rea, came came Rea, Jack and Wardle Harry stalwarts C.D.O.
intrusions is that whilst they are with us we become become we us with are they whilst that is intrusions Strongwork Diving (International) led by ex- by led (International) Diving Strongwork
capabilities. Another facet of these commercial commercial these of facet Another capabilities.
Strongwork Diving (International) (International) Diving Strongwork
reclamation added to the Deep Trials Unit's Unit's Trials Deep the to added reclamation
which explains why we are currently having Helium Helium having currently are we why explains which
taxed citizens in excess of £3,750 for helium alone, alone, helium for £3,750 of excess in citizens taxed deep-diving breathing apparatus. apparatus. breathing deep-diving
score, however, is that it would have cost we over- we cost have would it that is however, score, in favour with the divers, was the British British the was divers, the with favour in `WINDAK' `WINDAK'
R.N. divers, the only consolation I can offer on this this on offer can I consolation only the divers, R.N. was most impressive. Also impressive, and and impressive, Also impressive. most was `HUSTLE', `HUSTLE',
patriotic sense, if this dive had been carried out by by out carried been had dive this if sense, patriotic produced by Standard Telephones and known as as known and Telephones Standard by produced
It would have been much more satisfactory, in the the in satisfactory, more much been have would It high, however, the Helium speech unscrambler, unscrambler, speech Helium the however, high,
tables were not so good, and the bends incidence was was incidence bends the and good, so not were tables further 5 hours. hours. 5 further
Tables. Regrettably for Divcon, his decompression decompression his Divcon, for Regrettably Tables. who developed bend symptoms at 10 feet was a a was feet 10 at symptoms bend developed who
credit for the highly successful Oxygen Therapy Therapy Oxygen successful highly the for credit divers was 88 hours whilst that for the third diver diver third the for that whilst hours 88 was divers
Diving Unit and who, incidentally, takes most of the the of most takes incidentally, who, and Unit Diving Total decompression time for two of the three three the of two for time decompression Total
Goodman, formerly with the U.S.N. Experimental Experimental U.S.N. the with formerly Goodman,
mounted inside the Diving Vessel. Vessel. Diving the inside mounted
were supplied by Westinghouse and devised by Dr. Dr. by devised and Westinghouse by supplied were
supplied via flexible hose from its associated panel panel associated its from hose flexible via supplied
minutes and 1 hour bottom times. The schedules schedules The times. bottom hour 1 and minutes
The breathing apparatus used was Drager F.G.G.3 F.G.G.3 Drager was used apparatus breathing The
testing schedules to 500 feet and 600 feet for 30 30 for feet 600 and feet 500 to schedules testing
instructions. instructions. Divcon International spent three weeks with us us with weeks three spent International Divcon
and their apparently normal reactions to surface surface to reactions normal apparently their and
Divcon International International Divcon
from the deck over their heads (18 lifts in 2 minutes) minutes) 2 in lifts (18 heads their over deck the from
manoeuvre—their ability to lift the cwt. sinker sinker cwt. the lift to ability manoeuvre—their
with which the divers were able to swim and and swim to able were divers the which with are as follows:— follows:— as are
depth. It was quite fantastic to see the apparent ease ease apparent the see to fantastic quite was It depth. Brief details of our 'paying guests' and their activities activities their and guests' 'paying our of details Brief
each forenoon and afternoon diving at maximum maximum at diving afternoon and forenoon each facility to benefit their particular lines of research. research. of lines particular their benefit to facility
during the dive and the divers spent up to an hour hour an to up spent divers the and dive the during agreements with non-service organisations to use the the use to organisations non-service with agreements
Frequent physiological and other tests were made made were tests other and physiological Frequent Dovetailed into the foregoing programmes were were programmes foregoing the into Dovetailed
to 1,125 feet, for a total time of 81 hours, 11 minutes. minutes. 11 hours, 81 of time total a for feet, 1,125 to
Commercial Enterprises Enterprises Commercial
divers lived at 1,000 feet with twice daily excursions excursions daily twice with feet 1,000 at lived divers
dive the World has known was achieved. Three Three achieved. was known has World the dive
were performed. performed. were resulted in which the longest and deepest saturation saturation deepest and longest the which in resulted
categories I have just referred to a total of 93 dives dives 93 of total a to referred just have I categories again sponsored by Dutch Shell. A superb dive dive superb A Shell. Dutch by sponsored again
in the frequency of 'Instructor's Twitch'. In the the In Twitch'. 'Instructor's of frequency the in from Professor Buhlman and his team from Zurich, Zurich, from team his and Buhlman Professor from
from from Laleston. Laleston. It also results in a marked decrease decrease marked a in results also It Last but by no means least, we had a repeat visit visit repeat a had we least, means no by but Last www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk and restore the gases during decompression. It is and special `minipore' elements will be incorporated envisaged that we shall have a big 'Ammunition to trap bacteriological activity which in the past has Ship' operation initially to take on the gas and there- led to minor ear irritation on long saturation dives. after top up at something like six monthly intervals. The principal components of the system in their Air Lock Controls sequence of use, are as follows:— To reduce congestion on No. 1 Console the con- Vacuum Pump trols for operation of the Air Locks have been removed and sited adjacent to their respective air This is to remove the atmosphere from the diving locks. This will allow a fast 'Doctor lock-in` with chambers, pipes, etc. to prevent nitrogen contamina- minimum interference at the control centre. tion of the Oxy-Helium gases. Some will doubt the necessity to do this but it is best to have the facility available as it may well be necessary for pure Strain Gauge Ergometer research. This will replace the old trapeze type swim machine and will give a read out of the total swim- Pressurisation ming effort over a period. With this installation This is achieved by selecting the gas required from it is hoped that 'cheating' will be impossible, though the 78, 91 cubic feet bulk storage cylinders and to be sure, if there is a loophole, the divers will putting it onto the common O2He/Air charging find it. main which will have been previously isolated from the air storage and vacuumed. Radio and Television For the entertainment of the 'subjects' on long Reclamation decompressions an improved radio has been acquired On decompression the exhaust gas is routed to and, wait for it!, arrangements are being made for two large inflatable gas recovery bags from whence the reception of live T.V. programmes in the Diving it is either passed through filters and recompressed Vessel and compression chamber. back into the storage cylinders or passed through the cryogenic system for the elimination of oxygen, Physiological Instrumentation nitrogen and other undesirable gases before being The array of instruments required to monitor the restored as pure Helium. various physiological parameters seems to grow rapidly and with this in mind and the limited space A Corblin Compressor with 70-80 cubic feet/ available in our operations room, attention is being minimum capacity is used to suck the gas from the given to converting the Divers' Rest Room into an gas storage bags and deliver it where it is required. instrumentation centre. A smaller Corblin is used specifically for compressing pure 02 during the storage operation. Accommodation No. 2 Console In view of the previous item and because the A second console is being installed to cope with accommodation for diving teams was not adequate the increased control necessary and as a means of anyway, Portsmouth Form 71a action has been tidying up the various items of instrumentation, etc. taken and approval given, for service standard that have been added over the last five years. accommodation to be built alongside D.T.U. to accommodate the A.E.D.T. and others whilst Atmosphere Control engaged on saturation diving trials. Provision is being made for full air conditioning I hope all this will add up to a 'new look' D.T.U. by continuous circulation of the chamber atmosphere that will be well worth waiting for, meanwhile, roll- through a comprehensive unit which will control on our next dive! the tempetature, humidity and remove the CO2.
Filtration Filtration of the water in the Diving Vessel will in future be possible whilst the vessel is still at pressure
22
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Clammy Death
HILST clearing out a diving store I found belly-band, made everything water tight. After six oval pieces of perspex and one of my stepping into the legs of the suit, the diver then put Wdivers asked me what they were. When I his head and arms into the top half of the suit and told him they were 'Clammy Death' windows, I had forced his head into the moulded hood, which fitted to follow up with a story which may interest some snugly to his face. The Divers condensed sweat made of today's young divers. the hood feel clammy on his face, hence the first half `Clammy Death' was the nickname for the `Sladen of an appropriate nickname. Suit' which was designed and developed by the R.N. Very few divers liked the Sladen Suit, but at that Diving Section, under Captain W. Shelford during time, it served its purpose. During the Solerno the Second World War. It was designed for special Harbour raid, one charioteer was drowned in his operational use in Naval Warfare, and was probably suit. Besides the possibility of a 'Russian Cocktail', named after Commander G. M. Sladen, who there was little chance of getting out of the suit planned the first Chariot operation in Palermo unaided in an emergency, even if the diver did Harbour, on 2nd January 1943. manage to slip his boots, and surface. At one period Following Naval custom, the suits came in two of my training I worked with Surg. Lt.-Cdr. Oliver sizes 'Big' and 'Very Big', so that men of my size (Dental) who was known as 'Toothy Oliver'. Toothy 5ft. 6in. were lucky to get the smaller of the two was one of the few people I knew who liked his sizes. Heavy diving boots made of leather with Sladen Suit, he once rode a bicycle in 15 feet of brass toe-caps and brass corrugated soles were worn water with it. I tried the same feat but with the and laced up with a slip knot, then the boots could crotch of my suit down to my knees I could not get be slipped in an emergency. There was a self onto the saddle. Toothy was 6 feet tall and his suit contained Oxygen Breathing apparatus consisting of was a much better fit. Oxygen Cylinders, Counter Lung, C.02 absorbent There are not many people left in the Royal Navy (Protosorb) and a relief valve. who have used 'Clammy Death', just one or two The suit itself was made of heavy ruberised twill, high ranking officers, but there must be some very it was an all-enveloping dress complete with thick interesting yarns from any one who had the privi- moulded rubber Head piece. The hood had an oval ledge to dive in a Sladen Suit. perspex window which could be opened to put on R. LENNON, The Anchorage, Almonds Grove, the nose clip. West Derby Village, Liverpool, 12 Entry to the suit was made through a ventral skirt in the back, and metal clips, together with a rubber ED.-I am sure that entry was from the front.
European Diving Training Courses and Tourism
T is evident that Europe is presently making an understanding regardless to the language barrier. effort to find, through numerous initiatives, a The chosen spot to realize this programme is Riva Ipoint of contact among the different nations del Garda (Garda Lake, Italy) an ideal location for that form this part of the world. But the first and such an initiative. most genuine contacts among people of different nationality are still achieved through sport and In this task, our strongest effort will be that of tourism. complying with a programme which will have to be One of the purposes of the initiative we are able to create an atmosphere of plain cordiality sponsoring is that of approaching European People among all participants regardless to the individual's nationality. through combined underwater sport and tourism. Diving is a silent sport, therefore it creates a perfect Therefore we will organize every day the following 23
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk activities: diving classes, tours on the lake, aquatic (E) from 25th July through 1st August 1970 games, short trips of tourist interest, picnics and (F) from 1st August through 8th August 1970 dancing parties. But the base of each stay will be (G) from 8th August through 15th August 1970 the 'Diving Training Course', from basic training (H) from 15th August through 22nd August 1970 to advanced diving technics. Individuals already (I) from 22nd August through 5th Sept. 1970 familiar with diving technics will attend advanced The price flactuates according to the category or training. the chosen Hotel and includes the training course All necessary diving equipment will be at the and use of the equipment, full boarding, tours on students disposal. Students will be allowed to use the lake, excursions, picnics and dancing parties. their own equipment. Hotel cat. A Lire 68.000 At the end of the course an attendance report will Hotel cat. B Lire 61.000 be issued, by the 'European Diving Training Course', Hotel cat. C Lire 54.000 to each student. Hotel accommodations will be in rooms with two Hoping to see you next summer at Riva del Garda beds, bathroom. An extra charge of Lire 400 will be we send you our best regards. charged for accommodation in single rooms. Periods and Dates: Reservations should be sent to the Travel Office, `ATESINA', Viale Rovereto, 19, 38066 RIVA DEL from 27th June through 4th July 1970 (A) GARDA (Telephone Number 52385), before April (B) from 4th July through 11th July 1970 through 18th July 1970 16th 1970, accompanied by an account of Lires (C) from 11th July 20.000. (D) from 18th July through 25th July 1970
First C.D. Basic Course 24
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25 25
events and circumstances surrounding the tragedy, tragedy, the surrounding circumstances and events the rocks, then a crash as if the bottom of the ship ship the of bottom the if as crash a then rocks, the
there is a very detailed and absorbing account of the the of account absorbing and detailed very a is there `A great ringing of the Captain's bell, a grating on on grating a bell, Captain's the of ringing great `A
The book consists in effect of two parts. Firstly Firstly parts. two of effect in consists book The `The rock sprang suddenly out of the dense cloud'. cloud'. dense the of out suddenly sprang rock `The
realised we were running into a huge cliff . . . . cliff huge a into running were we realised Zealand. Zealand.
foreground. Another moment we saw breakers and and breakers saw we moment Another foreground. en route for banks in the British colony of New New of colony British the in banks for route en
`Ahead I saw a great green mass with white in the the in white with mass green great a saw I `Ahead included bullion in the form of gold and silver coins coins silver and gold of form the in bullion included
lives were lost as well as the ship and its cargo, which which cargo, its and ship the as well as lost were lives
used by survivors serve to convey the atmosphere: atmosphere: the convey to serve survivors by used
shipping disasters of that part of the world for many many for world the of part that of disasters shipping
affair affair are skilfully reconstructed. Numerous phrases phrases Numerous reconstructed. skilfully are
New Zealand. The episode was one of the major major the of one was episode The Zealand. New
official enquiries, all these aspects of the the of aspects these all enquiries, official Elingamite Elingamite
on one of the desolate Three Kings Islands north of of north Islands Kings Three desolate the of one on
rescue operations, the tension of the subsequent subsequent the of tension the operations, rescue
Elingamite Elingamite which was wrecked in November 1902 1902 November in wrecked was which
sheer rock face of West King Island, the belated belated the Island, King West of face rock sheer
The ship concerned is the passenger steamer steamer passenger the is concerned ship The
across the Tasman sea, the chaos as it struck the the struck it as chaos the sea, Tasman the across
a fascination. fascination. a is amply justified. The vessel's last fateful voyage voyage fateful last vessel's The justified. amply is
for whom sunken wrecks and their exploration hold hold exploration their and wrecks sunken whom for
survivor possessing clear memories of the disaster disaster the of memories clear possessing survivor
cription of this book which should appeal to those those to appeal should which book this of cription including even a conversation with the sole living living sole the with conversation a even including
S These word on the jacket are an apt des- apt an are jacket the on word These paper reports and from numerous other sources sources other numerous from and reports paper
the excitement of a modern search for gold.' gold.' for search modern a of excitement the compiling such a history from contemporary news- contemporary from history a such compiling
HIPWRECK off the New Zealand coast and and coast Zealand New the off HIPWRECK almost seventy years ago. The author's industry in in industry author's The ago. years seventy almost
by by WADE DOAK DOAK WADE
"The "Elingamite" and its Treasure" Treasure" its and "Elingamite" "The
Book Review Review Book
work. We hope so anyway. It's difficult at this stage stage this at difficult It's anyway. so hope We work.
them—and they actually grow—the system should should system grow—the actually they them—and set' otherwise we can't tie the laces. laces. the tie can't we otherwise set'
entry into the C.D. Branch: and provided we feed feed we provided and Branch: C.D. the into entry between the tops of boots and bottom of S.A.B.A. S.A.B.A. of bottom and boots of tops the between
hoped that in time this will be the main method of of method main the be will this time in that hoped paragraph: 'There must be at least 2in. clearance clearance 2in. least at be must 'There paragraph:
C.D's If sufficient numbers are forthcoming it is is it forthcoming are numbers sufficient If C.D's `qualifications for selection for C.D. Basic' a new new a Basic' C.D. for selection for `qualifications
and we now possess seven of the youngest ever ever youngest the of seven possess now we and Finally, will Their Lordships please add to to add please Lordships Their will Finally,
The first course was completed in November 1969, 1969, November in completed was course first The
(d) (d) How to flannel the C.D. I I C.D. the flannel to How
The condition of 'ears'. 'ears'. of condition The (c) (c) C.D. star after six months in their hunters. hunters. their in months six after star C.D.
(b) (b) How to complete Form S.542. S.542. Form complete to How going to sea to continue their training and qualify qualify and training their continue to sea to going
(a) (a) Recognition features of lobsters and crabs. crabs. and lobsters of features Recognition and do a two weeks P.C.T. on Minehunting before before Minehunting on P.C.T. weeks two a do and
or demolitions. On completion, the survivors go off off go survivors the completion, On demolitions. or in the D.C.I. under continuation training:— training:— continuation under D.C.I. the in
nothing of Dome and Screw change, mine disposal disposal mine change, Screw and Dome of nothing unable to teach on course and which are not listed listed not are which and course on teach to unable
40/60 mixture, but who, unlike a C.D. II knows knows II C.D. a unlike who, but mixture, 40/60 is a short list of additional qualifications we were were we qualifications additional of list short a is
product is a diver qualified to dive to 120 feet using using feet 120 to dive to qualified diver a is product needs experience of the right sort. To this end here here end this To sort. right the of experience needs
duction to oxygen and mixture breathing. The end end The breathing. mixture and oxygen to duction qualifier is, we are sure, a keen young diver who only only who diver young keen a sure, are we is, qualifier
a Ships' Diver Course and the remainder an intro- an remainder the and Course Diver Ships' a pair of eyes or ten second dickies). However the the However dickies). second ten or eyes of pair
intensive diving: the first three and a half weeks being being weeks half a and three first the diving: intensive week the C.D. I was overheard wishing for another another for wishing overheard was I C.D. the week
The course itself comprises eight weeks of fairly fairly of weeks eight comprises itself course The gratifying for the instructor. (During the second second the (During instructor. the for gratifying
As courses go, the C.D. Basic one is particularly particularly is one Basic C.D. the go, courses As the C.D. Basic. Basic. C.D. the
abridged and unofficial version of the one concerning concerning one the of version unofficial and abridged will see. see. will
F five foot two Clearance Diver: here is an an is here Diver: Clearance two foot five rate. However winter is almost here and then we we then and here almost is winter However rate.
who stare with disbelief when first sighting a a sighting first when disbelief with stare who seem to be no worse than the present C.D. II failure failure II C.D. present the than worse no be to seem
OR those of us too busy to read D.C.I's and and D.C.I's read to busy too us of those OR to arrive at an accurate pass/fail rate, but it would would it but rate, pass/fail accurate an at arrive to
First C.D. Basic Course Course Basic C.D. First www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk good taste deserves good tailoring
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www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk had been knocked in, followed by a scraping and is told with great thoroughness, illustrating the many grinding as of the keel on the rocks'. problems and setbacks which inevitably arise when All this, clearly and convincingly related by Wade an ambibitious and dangerous operation such as Doak, makes particularly interesting reading. So this has to be carried out on limited resources. too despite the confusing layout of some of the A fortune in gold and silver still remains on the chapters does the other 'side' to the book which is an sea-bed but any one contemplating an attempt at it account of a series of Scuba expeditions to the West recovery would be well advised to study this book King Islands carried out in recent years by a team beforehand for the hazards of diving to 150 feet of New Zealand diving enthusiasts one of whom was amidst the pounding seas, flying spray and fierce the author. Spear-fishing and study of the astonish- tides which are apparently commonplace off West ingly varied sea life were the objects of the early King Island are emphasised throughout. The book divers and numerous encounters with kingfish, tuna, is a comprehensive, competently written account of bass, groper, etc. are recorded. With the location what was without doubt a very lucrative enterprise of the scattered wreckage of the Elingamite retrieval for those concerned. The inclusion of many relevant of the treasure became the prime aim of the divers. photographs adds further to the book's appeal. How this was achieved over a period of several years I.T. BARNETT.
D cy MEDI G. ALS'
O M.O. D LT. 6LoG,Gs.
`Bit overweight aren't you?'
27
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www.mcdoa.org.uk Sports Report
Deepwater, lost their last game of rugby. Now, SPORT Stop Press P.O. Humphrey, the sports reporter has got a S.A.D. CHALLENGE SHIELD on and won't report anything, except to say it was At present we hold the Shield in Vernon. An a Sirius game and he don't know the score. ED. excellent win at volley ball and a hard crushing defeat inflicted on the Seamen at deck-hockey means that we have the Shield, and we intend to hold on FREE DIVING RECORD to it. On August 14th 1969, Vincenzo Majorca has RUGGER improved his previous free diving record reaching in Progressing as before along the winning path, with the open sea of Siracusa the depth of 72 m. (236.22ft.) wins over teams produced by Excellent and Albion, Jacques Mayol filled the functions of the enthusiasm is as high as ever. C.M.A.S. Umpire. SOCCER The Majorca record has been homologated by the Knocked out in the Semi-Final unfortunately, but a good effort never-the-less. Executive Bureau. VIC HUMPHREY.
RUGGER — 1969 SEASON More Stop Press Deepwater Pirates, HORSEA ISLAND OPEN DAY Unfortunately the Horsea access road will not be This year saw the revival of the Pirates 15. As completed by Open Day, 17th May. So the usual usual, it was backed by tremendous enthusiasm. parking arrangements on the mainland will be used. To date, we have played five games with only one defeat. Our two clashes with Reclaim have provided the best of our matches so far, with everyone getting stuck in; our final game this term with them will be Divers welcome' eagerly contested. I would like to thank all those concerned in the Mrs. S. W. Ayre Division for giving such excellent support to what must be a promising start for Deepwater team. invites you to stay at VIC HUMPHREY.
Shamed into writing. ED. '6/te g)eepsf
30 WHITWELL ROAD SOUTHSEA • HANTS N E PTO N From the minutes of the Naval Air Command Bed and Breakfast Evening Meal Sub-Aqua Club meeting on October 1969. 'After discussion it was proposed that Nepton should be Open all year Close to sea-front discontinued. Full use should be made of the R.N. DIVING MAGAZINE now in its new bumper size cover, Boats for diving parties arranged and that all articles of a diving nature, should be submitted to the Editor. Telephone: PORTSMOUTH 33142 Proposed C.P.O. Brooks. Seconded C.P.O. Peake. Carried Unanimously. 28
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29 29
the the DIVING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE DIVING office, price 15/-. 15/-. price office, ED. ED.
members of the Mediterranean Diving Team from from Team Diving Mediterranean the of members
The tie is now on sale to all past and present present and past all to sale on now is tie The
(Volume 14-2) 14-2) (Volume
Diving Team Ties Ties Team Diving
Mediterranean Clearance Clearance Mediterranean
Grand Sale Sale Grand www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
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your Life Assurance Policy to ascertain if the In- In- the if ascertain to Policy Assurance Life your
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As Divers how many of you have ever checked checked ever have you of many how Divers As
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made. The class of Policy does in most cases carry carry cases most in does Policy of class The made. on the very high returns from Insurance Policies the the Policies Insurance from returns high very the on
number of years over which the investments are are investments the which over years of number With so much emphasis in the Press and elsewhere elsewhere and Press the in emphasis much so With
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advice. advice.
Obviously this type of Policy can be refined and can can and refined be can Policy of type this Obviously
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A Life Assurance Policy is in its simplest form a a form simplest its in is Policy Assurance Life A
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are married. married. are
Insurance Broker who will be able to give you this this you give to able be will who Broker Insurance
importance to you all especially those of you who who you of those especially all you to importance
contact your own advisers or an Incorporated Incorporated an or advisers own your contact
the subject of Life Assurance is of paramount paramount of is Assurance Life of subject the
Policy not covering you, it is suggested that you you that suggested is it you, covering not Policy
fire, or accident cover. As Divers in the Royal Navy Navy Royal the in Divers As cover. accident or fire,
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M some form of Policy whether it is life, motor, motor, life, is it whether Policy of form some
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Experience in depth
Systems like this transfer-under- pressure unit with surface recompres- sion chamber are used regularly by Strongwork.
With many years experience of offshore diving to its credit, Strongwork has the technical resources, the experience, and the right men, to carry out contracts — anywhere. Recent development include a deep diving system contained in a complete package. The spherical bell can be off loaded from any of three sides of the frame which houses the decompression chamber. All of the equipment produced by Strongwork is available for hire or purchase. k StroDIVING (INTE ATIONAL) LTD Head Office: Strongwork Diving (International) Ltd. Botley Road, North Baddesley, Nr Southampton S05 9DS, England Tel: Southampton 29742 Also: ABC Wharf, South Quay, Great Yarmouth. Tel:- Great Yarmouth 3489
32
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33 33
which the diver breathes is used time and time again, again, time and time used is breathes diver the which Cable: Salvenger. Telex: Selsing Setx 352. 352. Setx Selsing Telex: Salvenger. Cable:
closed circuit breathing equipment where the gas gas the where equipment breathing circuit closed Singapore 22, Singapore. Telephone 650177. 650177. Telephone Singapore. 22, Singapore
S.D.D.E.—S.A.B.A. We do have such a thing as a a as thing a such have do We S.D.D.E.—S.A.B.A. Head Office and Shipyard: Pulau Samulun, Jurong Jurong Samulun, Pulau Shipyard: and Office Head
the diver such as standard diving equipment, equipment, diving standard as such diver the
SELCO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. LTD. PTE. (SINGAPORE) SELCO
circuit which exhausts to the air or the water around around water the or air the to exhausts which circuit
By `open circuit' the Diving School means any any means School Diving the circuit' `open By Director, Marine Division, Division, Marine Director,
work. work. A. BOND, BOND, A.
therefore not be prudent for us to comment on this this on comment to us for prudent be not therefore
Yours faithfully, faithfully, Yours Kingdom do not know their schedules, it would would it schedules, their know not do Kingdom
Sea-Lab experiments and as such we in the United United the in we such as and experiments Sea-Lab have up to three more systems available in 1970. 1970. in available systems more three to up have
States of America, and was to do with the American American the with do to was and America, of States Our present team is now complete but we intend to to intend we but complete now is team present Our
question as the article was produced in the United United the in produced was article the as question capable of operation in depths in excess of 600 feet. feet. 600 of excess in depths in operation of capable
I regret that I am unable to answer your first first your answer to unable am I that regret I We are at present setting up deep diving systems systems diving deep up setting present at are We
and the questions which I will do my best to answer. answer. to best my do will I which questions the and Diving operations who are about to leave the service. service. the leave to about are who operations Diving
Thank you for your letter of the 17th August 1969, 1969, August 17th the of letter your for you Thank for employment from C.D's experienced in Deep Deep in experienced C.D's from employment for
We would be interested in receiving applications applications receiving in interested be would We
Dear Mr. Bongers, Bongers, Mr. Dear
Dear Sir, Sir, Dear
4th September 1969. 1969. September 4th
Portsmouth, Hants. Hants. Portsmouth,
H.M.S. Vernon Vernon H.M.S.
Royal Naval Diving Magazine Magazine Diving Naval Royal
The Editor Editor The
problems. problems.
Hoping that this goes some way to solving your your solving to way some goes this that Hoping
put your letter into print. print. into letter your put ED. ED.
of them are open to debate, so I have decided to to decided have I so debate, to open are them of are too large. large. too are
answered your questions as best I can, but some some but can, I best as questions your answered you mention is *on the wrist of the diver, unless they they unless diver, the of wrist the *on is mention you
Thank you for your letter and questions. I have have I questions. and letter your for you Thank Without a doubt the best place for the instruments instruments the for place best the doubt a Without
Sir, Sir,
in the bone. bone. the in
it in the simplest possible way is the result of a 'bend' 'bend' a of result the is way possible simplest the in it
A. BONGERS. BONGERS. A.
caused as far as anyone knows by diving, and to put put to and diving, by knows anyone as far as caused
Thank you, you, Thank Asceptic bone-necrosis is a condition of the bones, bones, the of condition a is bone-necrosis Asceptic
to interfere with freedom of movement. movement. of freedom with interfere to
A Wash-load, I do not know? know? not do I Wash-load, A
depth gauge and compass to your body so as not not as so body your to compass and gauge depth
we feel confident of his ability at 180 feet. feet. 180 at ability his of confident feel we (4) (4) Could you tell me best place to fasten watch watch fasten to place best me tell you Could
series of dives each one deeper than the last until until last the than deeper one each dives of series
we know of Asceptic Necrosis? Necrosis? Asceptic of know we
work him up (down) to this depth by giving him a a him giving by depth this to (down) up him work
What is a work-up, a wash load, and what do do what and load, wash a work-up, a is What
(3) (3)
diver to dive to a depth of say 180 feet we gradually gradually we feet 180 say of depth a to dive to diver
other circuits of so information please. please. information so of circuits other
leading up to a given depth, e.g. If we required a a required we If e.g. depth, given a to up leading
What is meant by Open Circuit, are there any any there are Circuit, Open by meant is What (2) (2)
A Work-up is the term we give to a series of dives dives of series a to give we term the is Work-up A
(Volume 15, page 9). 9). page 15, (Volume
and I will try to answer them separately. separately. them answer to try will I and
Why return to 600 feet, for 3 hours? hours? 3 for feet, 600 to return Why
(1) (1)
Your question 3 we make to be three questions questions three be to make we 3 question Your
four questions I would like answered: answered: like would I questions four
dioxide from the exhalations. exhalations. the from dioxide
As a Dutch subscriber to your Magazine I have have I Magazine your to subscriber Dutch a As
canister of soda-lime and removing the carbon carbon the removing and soda-lime of canister
Dear Sir, Sir, Dear this is done by passing the exhaled gas through a a through gas exhaled the passing by done is this
Letters to the Editor Editor the to Letters www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
DISCO aqua-lung centre FOR
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34
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Dear Sirs, popular American magazine it is not also a 'Girlie' picture publication (not that I have anything against As I assume there are surely among your readers `Girlie' mags., but not necessarily mixed with diving). some who are interested in underwater technology, I Just one small point though that I would like to shall appreciate it very much if you would be willing raise, how about a glossary now and again to to publish the following in your magazine. explain the meaning of so many service abbrev- iations? It was 23 years ago since I left Vernon and Preliminary Notice my service terminology since then has become very On June 10th and 1 1 th 1970 an International rusty. Symposium will be held on underwater technology May I just say before closing how much I enjoyed in Den Helder, the Netherlands. The Symposium is the hospitality of the P.O's Mess in Vernon during organised by the Royal Naval College in co-peration my days visit to the Diving Branch. Special thanks with the Underwater Technology Department of the to Bill and Ted. Also I thought the 1969 Navy Days Royal Institution of Engineers in the Netherlands. in Portsmouth Harbour very good generally and the Those interested in obtaining further information Diving display in particular excellent. on this subject in due time are requested to enter Best of luck with the Magazine. their names to the following address: D. BRUCE-JONES, Ex.-R.N.B.E.M. Symposium Committee (Now Diving Superviser, Trinmar Ltd., S. Trindad) Koninklijk instituut voor de marine Het Nieuwe Diep 8 P.S. :—Any R.N. diver finding himself in the South Den Helder, the Netherlands. of Trinidad would be very welcome to a cool beer and a yarn by just telephoning me at my company's Yours faithfully, office. Ia. J. A. J. BIEMOND President of the Symposium Committee.
Editor's Note: The point about Service abbreviations valid! We Dear Sir, will endeavour to add the meaning of any abbrev- uiations (providing they are printable!) at the end of I have just received and read my first copy of the each article. R.N. DIVING MAGAZINE. All the articles I liked very much and look forward to more of the same blend. The thing I approve of very much is that unlike a
Congratulations
Congratulations to Lt.-Cdr. J. Gratton, O.B.E., Congratulations also to Lt.-Cdr. D. P. Selwood, Royal Navy, on being selected for proinotion to Royal Navy, on being awarded the M.B.E. in the Commander. Lt.-Cdr. Gratton has been Officer-in- New Year Honours List. Lt.-Cdr. Selwood has until Charge of both the Home Station and the Mediter- recently been the Officer-in-Charge, Western Fleet ranean Fleet Clearance Diving Teams and at the Clearance Diving Team and is now on loan service moment is the Commanding Officer of H.M.S. with the Royal Australian Navy. Reclaim, the deep diving trials ship.
35
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk From a Northern Paper Who is Big Ginger ?
hadn't a care in the world as me and my Maxi ships and go down to sort damaged hulls. They cruised north. were there to practise deep dives of 250 feet. I I was on my second thousand miles. There I'd a notion to join them in a quick dip until were surprises round every corner. "Big Ginger" told me about his last dive off the West Coast. He was on the sea bed when he Shieldag was no exception. It's a wee row of stubbed his foot against what he thought was a black houses nestling on the shores of Loch Torridon. rock. It happened to be a shark. Ginger reached It looked as if the Martians had landed. At least the surface faster than a Polaris missile ! that was my first impression of the Western Fleet These lads have worked from Barcelona to the diving team who were flapping about the road in Bahamas, but Loch Torridon gets their vote every black rubber diving suits. time. They're the Royal Navy boys who salvage battle-
"You are never too old or too young to do this." Lt. Terry Tomkins, R.N. (Retd.), (69k) and his Norwegian grandson Paul Moseng (12) keeping in date.
Printed by Coasby Plus Ltd., Highland Road, Southsea
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Underwater Science and Technology
The increasing importance of applied underwater research throughout the world has led to a growing requirement for a comprehensive source of reference to all published information on the subject.
Iliffe's monthly Underwater Science and Technology Information Bulletin meets this need by providing indexed references to all recently-published articles having any technological significance. It also includes patents abstracts and the latest information on new equipment, new books and important conferences, meetings and exhibitions.
The Information Bulletin—launched in March—is complemented by the quarterly Underwater Science and Technology Journal. This provides an international forum for the exchange of original ideas on applied research, development and practice in the underwater environment.
For further details of these two new publications, or for sample copies, write to The Editor, Underwater Science and Technology, Iliffe House, 32 High Street, Guildford, Surrey, England.
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