Historical Diver, Number 7, 1996

Item Type monograph

Publisher Historical Diving Society U.S.A.

Download date 10/10/2021 20:57:38

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/30850 msmRI DIVER

Number? Spring 1996

Max E. Nohl The World Record Dive of 1937

• JOE SAVOIE • GUSTAV DALLA VALLE • HANS HASS • LAURA STURGILL • • • NICK ICORN • • '96 TEK • DEMA XX • UNDERWATER INTERVENTION '96 • • EARLY CABIROL HELMET • FLEUSS APPARATUS • • U.S. DIVERS DOUBLE HOSE REGULATORS • HARRY HOUDINI • HISTORICAL DIVING SOCIETY USA A PUBLIC BENEFIT NON-PROFIT CORPORATION C/0 2022 CLIFF DRIVE #119 SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA 93109 U.S.A. PHONE: (805) 963-6610 FAX (805) 962-3810 e-mail:[email protected] or HTTP://WWW.hds.org/

~~~~~~~'AD~ORYBOARD'~~~~~~~ ~~------Dr. Syliva Earle Lad Handelman Art Bachrach, Ph.D Dick Long Dick Bonin J. Thomas Millington, M.D. Scott Carpenter BevMorgan Jean-Michel Cousteau Phil Nuytten E.R. Cross Andreas B. Rechnitzer, Ph.D. Andre Galerne Sidney J. Smith Les Ashton Smith

SOCIETY BOARD MEMBERS: Skip Dunham Chair­ SOCIETY OFFICERS: President, Skip Dunham; Vice man, A.L. Scrap Lundy, Sam Miller, Ron Karlsson. Don President, Paul Linaweaver M.D.; Executive Director, Barthelmess, Nyle Monday, Paul Linaweaver M.D., Steve Leslie Leaney; Treasurer, Andy Lentz; Secretary, Nyle Barsky, Andy Lentz and Nick !com. Monday; Membership Director, Ron Karlsson; Member­ ship Secretary, Christl Karlsson; Administrator, Lisa Glen Ryan.

Art Bachrach, Ph. D. Fred Johnson Andrew R. Mrozinski Roger Bankston Ron & Christl Karlsson Torrance Parker Wayne Brusate Bob & Claudia Kirby Lee Selisky Ken and Susan Brown Leslie Leaney Robert Shepard John Rice Churchill Robert & Caroline Leaney Rod Stanley Raymond I. Dawson, Jr. A.L. Scrap Lundy Hironao Tanaka Diving Systems International Nyle C. Monday Dr. James Vorosmarti

MEMBERHDS MEMBER CHARTER MEMBER AFFll..IATE HDS ITALIA-S. AFRICA.

INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL DIVING SOCIETIES HDS HDSITALIA HDS SOUTH AFRICA SECRETARY SECRETARY SECRETARY 23 BROMPTON DR. VIAPIRAN05 P.O. BOX 36541 BRIERLY HILL 48100 RAVENNA CHEMPET 7442 WEST MIDLANDS DY53NZ ITALY CAPETOWN UNITED KINGDOM SOUTH AFRICA

2 HISTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 HISTORICAL DIVER OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HISTORICAL DIVING SOCIETY U.S.A. Number? SPRING 1996

IDSTORICAL DIVER MAGAZINE CONTENT The official publication of the HDSUSA PAGE EDITORS 4 HDSUSA Advisory Board Member Leslie Leaney, Editor SCOTT CARPENTER Andy Lentz, Production Editor CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Bonnie Cardone 5 News. Dr. Sam Miller Nick Icorn 6 Gustav Dalla Valle Nyle Monday Jeff Dennis Jim Boyd 7 Joe Savoie John Kane Peter Jackson 8 New Orleans trade shows

HISTORICAL DIVER is published four times a year by the Histori­ cal Diving Society USA, a Non-Profit Corporation, 2022 Cliff Drive 10 Working Equipment # 119 Santa Barbara, California 93109 USA. Copyright© 1996 all rights reserved Historical Diving Society USA Tel. (805) 963-6610 Fax (805) 11 Masks at "96 TEK 962-3810. HISTORICAL DIVER is compiled by Lisa Glen Ryan, Leslie 12 Diving Awards Leaney, and Andy Lentz. PRINTED by Printing Impressions, Santa Barbara, CA. E.R. Cross, Bev Morgan, & Juan Crofton. Phone (805)962-8193 Fax (805)966-1190 ADVERTISING INQUIRIES should be directed to: Historical Diver 13 San Diego Chapter Magazine at Tel. (805) 963-6610 Fax (805) 962-3810 CONTRIBUTIONS: WE WELCOME CONTRIBUTIONS ON ANY HISTORICAL DIVING SUBJECT. Submissions and contributions on 14 Max E. Nohl- The world record dive of floppy disk are preferred ( 3.5" Windows/DOS text format or Apple 1937- by John Kane Macintosh formats) Please send a typed hard copy in addition to any disk. Typed manuscripts are also welcome. Illustrations accompanying 20 Women Pioneers in Diving text are appreciated. Submissions should be sent to: Andy Lentz, 7927 LAURA STRUGILL- by Bonnie Cardone Robbie Circle, Goleta, CA. 93117 USA. If you have access to e-mail, contributions can be sent to [email protected]. DISCLAIMER 21 Bill Burrud Productions Diving is a potentially hazardous practice and if practiced incorrectly or with incomplete planning and procedures can expose a person to 22 Sam's Almanac- by Sam Miller considerable risks including serious injury or death. It requires spe­ cialized training, equipment and experience. HISTORICAL DIVER U.S. Divers Double hose regulator. is not intended as a substitute for the above or for to abandon common sense in pursuit of diving activities beyond his or her abili­ 24 Early Cabirol Helmet ties. HISTORICAL DIVER is intended as a source of information on various aspects of diving, not as a substitute for proper training and 26 Book Reviews experience. For training in diving, contact a national certification agency. The reader is advised that all the elements of and risk associated with diving cannot be brought out within the scope of this 28 Harry Houdini text. The individuals, companies and organizations, presented in HIS­ TORICAL DIVER, are not liable for damage or injury including death THE OPINIONS AND VIEWS EXPRESSED are those of the which may result from any diving activities, with respect to informa­ respective authors and are not necessarily the opinions and views tion contained herein. of the Historical Diving Society USA © 1996 Historical Diving Society USA All Rights Reserved. On the cover Our cover shows two versions of the Craig-Nohl suits used in 1937. They highlight some of the differences in the design of the helmet, and the cylinder system configuration, as the equipment evolved. John Kane's article on the world record dive, that was successfully made with the suit with the two cylinder configuration, is on page 14.

HISTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 3 HDS USA Advisory Board SCOTT CARPENTER Scott Carpenter is a dynamic pioneer of modern exploration. He has the unique distinc­ tion of being the first person to penetrate both inner and outer space, thereby acquiring the title astronaut/. Best known for his work as one of the world's first astronauts, Scott has tested and flown a wide variety of aircraft and was selected as one of the original seven Mer­ cury astronauts in 1959. He served as backup pilot for John Glenn and the first manned orbital space flight. He flew the second manned orbital flight in 1962. He was actively involved in the designing of the Apollo Lunar Landing Module and in underwater extravehicular training. Carpenter joined the Navy's Sealab program a11.d led efforts to transfer space technology into ocean research. He participated as a team leader on the Navy's Sealab II and III projects which included living and working on the ocean floor for 30 days as well as developing deep-ocean search, rescue and salvage capabilities. Intensely interested in enhancing the utilization of marine resources while improving the ocean's health, Scott has worked closely with French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau and members of the Calypso teayn. He has dived in most of the world's oceans. His many awards include: the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Aying Cross, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, US Navy Astronaut Wings, University of Colorado Recognition Medal, The Collier Trophy, New York City Gold Medal of Honor, The Elisha Kent Kane Medal, The Ustica Gold Trident, and the Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo. He has also received five honorary degrees. Today Carpenter continues to apply his knowledge of aerospace and ocean engineering as a consultant to industry and the private sector. He lectures frequently in the U.S. and abroad on the history and future of ocean and space technology, the impact of scientific and technological advances on human affairs. space-age perspectives •. the health of planet Earth, and man's continuing search for excellence. Carpenter also wrote the underwater techno-tluiller novel The Steel Albatmss and a sequel novel entitled Deep Flight. He is the inspiration behind, and co-founder of, the Scott Carpenter Man In The Sea Program, a "space-camp" like educational program oper­ ated by the Marine Resources Development Foundation in the Florida Keys.

NICKICORN Nick's involvement in diving dates back over 40 years. He took part in America's first formal underwater instructors course at Scripps Institute of in 1953 and was a Board Member of the Los Angeles Instructor Association for 12 years. In 1965 he joined U.S. Divers as senior engineer, was later PADI's tirst Executive Director and eventually joined Pelican Products as Manager of Product Development. During his lengthy career he has amassed what is possibly the world;s largest collection of scuba equipment which he regularly displays at various diving events. A fuller profile on Nick's career can be found in IDSTORI­ CAL DIVER issue No. 6 Page 28. ~------~(THE SECRETARY'S NOTEBOOK)~------~

In order to keep all the membership informed on the activities of its Board of Directors, I will, in my capacity as Secretary of the HDS, be passing on a few notes of importance to you in each issue of HISTORICAL DIVER. I hope these brief paragraphs will help to keep everyone up-to-date on the administrative end of the Society's operations and I welcome input from the entire membership. In co-operation with our fellow organization in Great Britain, the HDSUSA will be assisting in a truly historical undertaking in that country. As recorded in U.K. Newsletter volume 1, number 2 the monument on the grave of was completely destroyed sometime after 1970. A fund was recently established to purchase an appropriate replacement stone and, with a dona­ tion of £200 from the HDSUSA, the fund .now has sufficient money to achieve it's goal. Through the efforts of enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic, the resting place of "the father of diving" will once again be properly marked for posterity. The dramatic growth of the HDS USA in recent years has led to a decision by the Board of Directors to bring the administra­ tion of the Society in line with that used by our fellow organizations, DEMA and the ADC. As a result the Board has been restructured to make its operation more efficient. The most noticeable change is the shifting of positions in the Board's leadership. Skip Dunham will now serve as both President of the HDS , as well as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Vice President's position will be taken over by Dr. Paul Linaweaver, and former President Leslie Leaney will assume the new administrative position of Executive Director. This restructuring is one of various steps recently taken to prepare the Society for the formation of local chapters, Under the guidance of Director Scrap Lundy, the Board approved the establishing of the first local chapter of HDSUSA by members in San Diego. The formation has been subject to the usual non profit regulations and was successfully completed on March 10 th. (see News section ) Nyle C. Monday, Secretary, HDSUSA e

4 IDSTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 NEWS BRIEFS JENNIFER KING elected to Explorer's Club HDS USA member HDS RALLIES - Initial plans are under way to hold an Jennifer King (No.289), has recently HDS rally on the East Coast in conjunction with the ADC. The been elected to the internationally re­ rally will take place in Pittsburg PAonAugust 24-25. HDS and nowned Explorer's Club, a professional ADC member Rich Riley is working on the details with other society dedicated to scientific research members. There will not be an HDS rally in Santa Barbara this and the promotion of the "instinct to year. It is hoped to hold a rally in conjunction with the ADC's explore." Many famed underwater ex­ Western Chapter Conference in early November. Details of plorers are members of the Club, in­ these rally's will appear in the next issue of HISTORICAL cluding Dr. and Bob DIVER and on the HDS Web Page. Ballard. Our congratulations to AQUACORPS TEKKIE Jennifer. AWARD- HDS Charter member UNDERWATER MOSQUITO MARATHON has received the Sub Ocean Safety, a nonprofit (501 c-3) tax exempt organiza­ 1996 TEKKIE Award for his con­ tion is sponsoring the world's first underwater marathon on tinuous contributions to technical June 12, 1996, under Lake Ponchartrain, bordering New Or­ diving. The award was presented by leans. The race is named after the Miskito Indian divers of AQUACORPS head, Michael Central America. It is designated to be a "per mile" fund raiser Menduno at the '96 TEK Confer­ for Sub Ocean Safety s emergency medical relief projects and ence in New Orleans. educational efforts, which focus on the impact of "new" scuba Dick Rutkowski and hooka technologies on indigenous diver/fishermen the world over. Due to a lack of diver education, compressed air NAUTICAL BRASS- We are sad to announce the de­ technology frequently leads to sickness in un­ mise of Nautical Brass Magazine, which published it's last is­ trained divers. For support and race details contact Sub Ocean sue in February 1996. Founded by Bill Momsen to cover the Safety at: P.O. Box 834 Lacombe, LA 70445 USA interests of nautical collectors and maritime historians, Nauti­ Phone: 504-882-7286 Fax: 504-882-3557 or cal Brass first appeared in February 1981. Various articles per­ e-mail: [email protected] taining to were published during the maga­ zines fifteen year life, and we hope to publish a review of these FROM NICK BAKER- 1996 HDS CONFERENCE in a future issue. We will miss Bill in our mail box, but he, and AT GREENWICH ENGLAND. The Historical Diving Soci­ Nautical Brass, can now be found at HTTP://WWW.USA ety in UK - will be holding its seventh annual conference in COMPUTERS.NET/NBRASS/ We wish him well in his new November in Greenwich, England at the British National Mari­ location. time Museum a place with many historic and historical diving connections. CREDIT CARDS AND MEMBERSHIPS. With the The building in which the HDS will hold its conference recent restructuring of the Society's administration we are now has impeccable diving credentials. The National Maritime able to offer members the convenience of purchases and re­ Museum was once a school for boys destined for the merchant newals by Visa or MasterCard. This benefit was established service and it educated the brothers John and Charles Deane. by Treasurer Andy Lentz. Director of Membership Ron The boys, natives of Deptford, grew up in the area and it was Karlsson has instituted a quarterly renewal system which oper­ here they formulated their first plans for underwater explora­ ates on the same quarterly cycle as Historical Diver. Member­ tion. A short walk away, the shipyards of the Thames pro­ ship renewals will now be mailed in conjunction with the maga­ vided their inspiration, whilst in nearby Soho the workshop of zine. Augustus Siebe provided the engineering means. The area even GOOD GUYS -The recent passing of diving pioneer Joe provided for their first ever experimental dive, a short but suc­ Savoie has provided an opportunity for the professional div­ cessful 'dip' in the Croydon Canal. ing community to come together and assist one of their own. The HDS conference will be held on Saturday 16th No­ The establishing of The Savioe Fund is recorded else where in vember. Speakers arranged so far are Dr. Art Bachrach Ph.D., this issue, along with details of a fund raising effort. Many and Dr Jim Vorosmarti MD. The HDS annual dinner will be people have already stepped up to support this worthy cause, held on Saturday evening at a nearby historical inn. There will which has been made possible by the efforts of Jim Fowler, also, of course, be the chance to explore places of historic, Jesse Dean and Howie Doyle among others. For friends in and historical diving, interest. need, they are friends in deed. The HDS would welcome HDS USA members to the con- ference and to London, Greenwich and Great Britain. AQUA CORPS- In a recent press release, AQUACORPS' Further details from; Michael Menduno announced "AQUACORPS INC. is restruc­ Nick Baker turing it's business in order to better serve the rapidly changing 23 Brompton Drive, BRIERLEY HILL, diving market and to keep pace with projected growth." The West Midlands, DY5 3NZ, United Kingdom, company is currently in discussion with several potential part­ Tel/Fax +44(0)1384896079, ners whose participation would strengthen and broaden the fo­ E-mail I [email protected] cus of AQUACORPS JOURNAL and the TEK conferences.

HISTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 5 IN MEMORY GUSTAV DALLA VALLE

One of sports diving's most colorful pioneers, Gustav Dalla Valle, passed away on De­ cember 14,1995 at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, California, after an almost nine year fight against prostate cancer. The son of a Count, Gustav was born into a wine making family in Cortina, Italy. During WWII he avoided Mussolini by obtaining asylum in the Vatican. Gustav studied architecture in Venice before moving to the Left Bank of Paris to become a painter. From Paris he moved to Haiti where he started a casino and hotel, and also a and spear fishing operation. The political situation caused him to eventually abandon Haiti and move to America, where, amongst many other adventures, he co-founded Scubapro with Dick Bonin. He began his free diving career in the Mediterranean before World War II, becoming an internationally know sperufishing champion. In 1948, at about the same time that Cousteau was active with the AquaLung, Gustav began importing European diving equipment into the Gustav in 1957 United States. His company was called "The ", and he became increasing in- volved with the marketing aspects of his importing operations. By 1953 he moved to the United States and settled in the Los Angeles ru·ea. He was very suppmtive of the U.S. Team, working with Big Jim Christiansen who was the Team Coach. During the early 1960s he spent time training, fund raising and traveling with the team, and, with Christiansen, was involved in gaining the United States it's only World Spearfishing Championship (1968) to date. His involvement in spearfishing also in­ cluded writing articles and taking photographs, primarily for Skin Diver Magazine. When began, Gustav called his new brand of brothers "bubble divers". He was still a diehard skin diving spearfisherman, but he did much to ad­ vance both approaches to exploring and enjoying the undersea. For many years he was a Representative of the United States in the World Underwater Federation. After contributing much to the organization's growth, he resigned his position because of growing business time constraints. He organized Diving Tours, Inc., produced underwater movies and was very active in early television shows about the ocean. In 1955, he licensed his European product lines to Health ways in Los Angeles, and developed a line of diving products. In 1962, Healthways started a division called Scubapro and hired Dick Bonin as it's Sales Manager. When Healthways declared bankruptcy in 1963, Gustav acquired Scubapro for $1 .00, making it a division of his company, Sport Industries, Inc. Dalla Valle was Chairman of the Board, and Dick Gustav and Owen Churchill1956 Bonin became President and General Manager. The beginning of Scubapro was tough. Starting out in a small garage in Gardena, California, Dalla Valle and Bonin eventually built Scubapro into one of the largest and most profitable diving equipment manufacturers in the world. Sports Industries Inc. evolved into Under Sea Industries, which along with Scubapro, was sold to Johnson Wax in 1974 becoming a division of their Johnson World Wide (JWA) holding company. Gustav left his diving world, and moved to Mustique having Princess Mar­ garet and Mick Jagger for neighbors. He eventually returned to America and estab­ lished the "DALLA VALLE VINEYARDS" in Oakville, California becoming world famous (for a second time) for his outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. Gustav Dalla Valle was one of the first knowledgeable and experienced divers in the American sports diving industry. He used that expetience to develop a career in marketing that has been the foundation for many diving companies. His knowl­ edge and influence have benefited countless divers during the sports fledgling years. The international success of the companies he founded, and the global in­ Gustav and Dick Bonin dustry that they continue to thrive in, are his legacy. at Scubapro s 25th Anniversary

The editor wishes to thank members Dick Bonin, Ed Cargil e, Eric Hanauer, Gene Webb and Dr Sam Miller for their assistance in this article. Photos courtesy Skin Diver Magazine and Dick Bonin.

6 HISTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 IN MElVIORY Joe Savoie January 25, 1926- March 10, 1996 Historical Diver is sad to report the passing of Mr. Joe Savoie, one of the world's true diving innovators. Joe left us on Sunday March lOth, 1996 after a period of illness. He passed away at his home in Boutte, Louisiana in the com­ pany of friends and family. He had recently celebrated his 70th birthday. Joe quit school in the sixth grade and became a self taught man of numerous engineeting talents. He developed several innovative engineeting ideas in the fields of aviation, and mototized transportation, some of which he was able to patent. He is however, best known for his unique design of that helped revolutionize commercial diving equipment duting the 1960s. Patented in 1964, the Savoie diving helmet is considered to be of histotical sig­ nificance. It is an important step in the transition from the traditional heavy gear diving (such as U.S.N. Mark V )to today's lightweight swim gear (such as Superlite 17 etc.). The Savioe helmets were all hand made using components manufac­ tured on machines mostly designed and built by Joe himself. His "hands on, self contained" approach extended to the complete Savoie manufactuting plant and office, which were all located at his home. A colmful and sometimes controver­ sial character, he was always his own man on his own highway. Joe in 1964 Joe's extended illness required a great deal of medical attention. To help defray the substantial medical costs, a fund has been established in his name by a group of ftiends. The Savoie Fund provides not only an oppmtunity for divers to assist the family of a fellow diver, but also to acquire an histotical diving item. The editors of Historical Diver were fortunate enough to be able to conduct two btief interviews with Joe in January of this year, and an article coveting his career will be published in the next issue. Q

WIN A PIECE OF DIVING HISTORY RAFFLE TO BENEFIT THE SAVOIE FUND

Joe Savoie helmet no 002 Joe Savoie Diving Helmet# 002 will be raffled off to raise money for the Savoie Fund. The helmet is an air model constructed of a fiber glass shell with stainless steel fittings and stamped# 002. It was hand built by Joe Savoie in 1965 as one of only approximately one hundred that were produced in a standard fiberglass design. It has been professionally restored under the supervision of Aqua Tech . Tickets are $5 each. This is a unique opportunity to acquire an item of historical significance and assist the family of a fellow diver. The drawing will be held on September 6th. Each $5.00 donation to the Savoie Fund provides one chance to win during this drawing. For tickets or information, call 504-340- 4601, fax 504-340-4602. Or you may send checks payable to The Savoie Fund c/o Oceans Technology Inc., 3836 Spencer St., Harvey, LA 70058. Mailed entries must be received by August 31, 1996 to be eligible for the drawing. The Savoie Fund was established through the efforts of Jim Fowler of Fowler Resources and other friends of the Savoie family. Savoie Helmet #002 is donated by HDSUSA Charter Member Jesse Dean of Aqua Tech Dive Center.

HISTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 7 NEW ORLEANS • '96 TEK • UNDERWATER INTERVENTION • DEMA XX• The HDSUSA displayed at all three trade shows in New Orleans, and were assisted by Siebe Gorman's Steve James on his first visit to the United States. HDSUK committee member Peter Jackson was also in attendance giving two presentations on the Fleuss Apparatus at "96 TEK. As was expected, thousands of divers from around the world gathered for the ten day marathon and the following are a few photos of some of the visitors to the HDSUSA booth.

HDSUSA Treasurer Andy Lentz, Lorenzo Cervellin and Cristina Pasini of HDS ltalia and Steve James Peter Jackson with sports diving pioneer Bob Miestral and his wife Laura Lee

Former US Navy Bob Barth and l-litlly Jenkins at '96 TEK

Advisory Board Members E.R. Cross and Andreas Rechnitzer at DEMA

Siebe Connan's Steve James with DES CO Vice President Ric Koellner (above) and Advisory Board Member Andre Galerne (right) at Underwater Intervention

8 HISTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 First place winners in the "ANDREWS SISTERS Commercial dive industry veteran Harry Kohles of Aqua KARAOKE and LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST" at '96 TEK were Tech Dive Center and E.R. Cross at Underwater Intervention Doug Austin, David Smith and Derek Clarke of . The bonnie trio came all the way from Aberdeen Scotland (Nice Legs guys, shame about the face!) HDSUSA would like to thank the Boards and Officers of all the sponsoring organizations for allowing us to be a part of these special diving events. For information on these trade shows contact: ADC Underwater Intervention 2611 F.M. 1960 W, Suite F-204, Houston, TX, 77068 Phone: 713-893-8388 DEMA 2050 South Santa Cruz St., Suite I 000, Anaheim, CA, 92805 Phone: 714-939-6399 TEK- AQUA CORPS P.O. Box 4243, Key West, FL, 33041 Phone: 305-294-3540

MARK V DRAWING

John Englander digs DEEP .for a winner! Ocean Futures' John Englande1; HDSUSA ~· And the winner is: ...... Leslie Leaney and DEMA's Sam Jackson JOSE PEREZ

The drawing for the Limited Edition MK V Helmet took place at DEMA. A drum containing all the tickets was spun by DEMA Executive Director Sam Jackson, and the winning ticket was drawn by John Englander, Chairman of Ocean Futures. The winner was Jose Perez of Leisure City Florida who works at Diver's Outlet in Florida City. Part of the proceeds from the drawing were donated to Ocean Futures, DEMA's non profit environmental foundation, which is dedicated to the conservation of our marine environment.

HISTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 9 WORKING FLORIDA -TREASURE COAST W.E.G. EQUIPMENT GROUPS

Working Equipment Groups (WEG s) consist ofdivers who actively restore and operate classic and antique diving equipment. The activities of WEG s are NOT official HDSUSAfunctions. HDSUSA/NEWEG at TEK '96 The "Blizzard of '96" almost shot us down before we could leave, since Jim Folk- who had the MkV gear­ was snowbound for three days! We departed Wilmington, Delaware, just after midnight on Friday, January 11, John Gallagan with Miller Dunn Style 3 fought Round Two of the Blizzard around Richmond and arrived in New Orleans about 3:30AM on Saturday. I put on a slide show about the MkV that afternoon, and we had the rest of the weekend to enjoy the TEK show and visit with Leslie and his crew at the HDSUSA booth. We arranged with Rodney Cruze of Aqua Air industries of Harvey, La., (an HDS member) to supply us with a die­ sel-powered air compressor and volume tank. Paul Schenk drove over from Houston with his own complete MkV rig. On Monday we set up at the beautiful University of New Orleans 12-foot-deep Olympic swimming pool with two MkV rigs and Paul's MkV comm box. We were an immediate success with 14 people signing up to dive. Also in the pool were demonstrations of , under­ Jim Boyd in John Gallagan s U.S.N. Mark 12 water video and Fins. John GaHagan of Hollywood, Florida has formed the Treasure Coast Working Equipment Group and has held a "Double-Hose Rally" with local divers. John, a firefighter and free-lance commercial diver, owns a soon­ to-be operable MkV and purchased a Navy Mk12 rig that Jim Boyd had been considering buying and had to pass up for lack of funds. Following a week in Key West, Jim visited John on November 5-6, 1995, and held an impromptu Working Equipment Rally, diving John's Mk12, SuperLite 17 and Miller and Snead diving hoods in the ten-foot-deep lake behind John's home. They were assisted by John's firefighting and diving buddy Mike Russo. John was re­ cently married underwater in the Snead and Miller rigs. He hopes to bring the hoods and Mk12 to a Northeast Rally. Mark and Gina Leonard at TEC "96 NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA We had a great time. Our first customer, a young NORTH EAST WORKING EQUIPMENT GROUP Navy salvage officer, managed to get upside-down on Contact Jim Boyd, P.O. Box 759, Middleville, NJ 07855, the bottom. We even got our first husband-and-wife team, Phone (201) 948-5618 TEXAS - GULF COAST WEG Mark and Gina Leonard of DiveRite in Lake City Florida, Contact Paul Schenk at diving MkV's together. Helping with the diving were Rich 3600 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, TX 77058, Riley, Mark Butler and Wayne Jones. What a great es­ Phone (713) 486-8312 cape from winter! FLORIDA- TREASURE COAST W.E.G. Contact John Gallagan, P.O. Box 1039, Hollywood, FL 33022, Jim Boyd Phone (305) 989-1377 Q.

10 HISTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 EARLY SIEBE GORMAN MASKS AT '96 TEK

Aqua Corps Magazine, in conjunction with the HDSUSA and Siebe Gorman, sponsored the first appearance in America of some of the world's earliest rebreathing equipment. The equipment was on loan from the Siebe Gorman Museum in Wales, and was accompanied by the museums curator Stephen James, and British diving historian Peter Jackson. The equipment was on display at the HDS booth where Stephen was on duty to explain it's history and operation. Using slides showing various different designs and developments, Peter gave two presentations on the early Fleuss apparatus to conference attendees. Two of the items on display are shown below with a period photograph of an early Fleuss system. Photograph captions are by Peter Jackson.

This mask was produced by Siebe Gorman around 1905 and had a pneumatic seal,-hence the rubber bulb for inflation. This This mask was used on the Fleuss-Davis apparatus produced date was given by Davis but it is possible that it is in fact no around 1905-6. The earliest positive identification 1 have is in earlier than circa 1918. a photo ofthe Fleuss- Davis Mines Rescue Apparatus in a book dated 1908. Davis claimed the mask dated from 1881, but it was clearly intended for use with the chest mounted bag layout (with no canister on back-caustic soda in the bag), which Fleuss developed around 1890-1895. It is possible that this mask dates from then. Research continues.

Fleuss'first rescue apparatus of(mid) 1880 with both the al­ kali chamber and the bag mounted on the back. The exposed position of the bag made it very vulnerable, so it was soon Bev Morgan and Peter Jackson viewing the mask display moved to the front. Some details of the history of rebreathers, , Sir Robert H. Davis and the company of Siebe Gorman can be found in " & SUBMARINE OPERATIONS" by Sir Robert H. Davis. This book is available through HISTORICAL DIVER (see page 29 ) and has a review of it's content and history in issue #6. Photos courtesy Siebe Gorman. Q.

IDSTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 11 AWARDS DEMA

Advisory Board member Bev Morgan has received DEMA's REACHING OUT Award for his continuous contributions to sports diving. Bev received his award from fellow Advisory Board member Dr. Sylvia Earle during the DEMA conference in New Orleans. Bev entered diving in the late 1940s making much of his own gear. From that time on he has been constantly involved in diving, and his products have attained an interna­ tional market and reputation in military, sports and commercial diving. He is currently developing an item which could revolu­ tionize diving equipment in all fields.

Bev receives his Award from Sylvia. ADC

Sparling School of Deepsea Diving s Juan Crofton and E. R. Cross "50 Fathom" class circa 1950. Dan Patch, John Galletti, display their Awards. Wendell Rempage, Davis, Dick Hay-Chapman and Murray Black.

Senior HDSUSA Member Juan Crofton has received the Association of Diving Contractor's Tom Devine Me­ morial Award. Advisory Board member E. R. Cross has received the ADC's John Galletti Award in recognition for hisser­ vices to diving. Both Juan and E. R. received their awards from ADC Chairman Jack Reedy at the ADC's gala re­ ception held in New Orleans spectacular Aquarium ofthe Americas. The Galletti Award has tremendous personal sig­ nificance forE R as he personally taught John Galletti to dive when John was a student at the Sparling School of Deep Sea Diving. Mary Ann Galletti and E. R. Cross.

12 HISTORICAL DIVER No.7 Spring 1996 HDSUSA - San Diego Chapter The Board of Directors recently gave approval for the es­ tablishing of the first chapter of the HDSUSA. A strong interest had been shown by members in San Diego, who have been cor­ responding with HDSUSA Director of Chapter Development Scrap Lundy, throughout 1995. An exploratory steering com­ mittee was formed in November 1995 and the chapters Inaugu­ ral Meeting took place on March 10 th, 1996 aboard the aptly named MN Future, in San Diego Bay. The meeting was hosted by Ace Parnell and Carolyn Strawn and attended by a diverse group of San Diego divers. The most "historical" attendee was 83 year old Ben Stone, a co-founder of the internationally fa­ mous free diving club The San Diego Bottom Scratchers, which were formed in 1933. Diving historian and author, Eric Hanauer, former commercial abalone diver Jack Breece, Scripps Institute's Joe Hlebica, U.S. Navy senior chief diver Dave Brown, SanDi­ L toR. Ben Stone, John Williamson, Eric Hanauer, David ego Council of Diver's John Williamson, HDSUSA charter mem­ Brown, Leslie Leaney (kneeling), Ace Parnell, Joe ber Ed Szostack and Eric Carlson were also present. Due to a Hlebica, Ed Szostak. scheduling conflict, Scrap Lundy was unable to attend. His place was taken by HDSUSA Executive Director Leslie Leaney who gave a brief presentation on the requirements for chapter status and the legal restraints and requirements involved in it's administration and operation. An election of principle officers was held and the following offices were established. Chapter President; Ace Parnell, Chapter Secretary; Joe Hlebica, Chapter Treasurer; David Brown, Chapter Newsletter Editor; John Williamson. There followed various discussions on the potential of the chapter and the rich wealth of diving history associated with the area. The chapters first official activity will be a visit to the diving archives at Scripps Institute of Oceanography organized by Joe Hlebica, on Friday May 3rd, 1996, followed in the evening by a dinner meeting at the San Diego Council of Divers Spring Awards Banquet.

For information on the SAN DIEGO CHAPTER HDSUSA, contact: Ace Parnell at 2726 Shelter Island Dr. #80, San Diego CA. 92106, Phone 619-226-1199. For information on forming a local chapter of the HDSUSA, contact: A.L. "Scrap" Lundy, 919 Roble Lane, Santa Barbara, CA. 93101. Phone 805-569-0780. ~.}

HDSUSA 1996 HDSUSAEAST RALLY AND DIS