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NAVAL NAVAL

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thrce pond landing of a tiling Ray Ray tiling a of landing pond thrce Vol. 11 11 Vol.

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4, 4,

3 3

No's No's

No. No.

Vol. Vol.

8, 8,

P.R.G.P. P.R.G.P.

3. 3.

PARK PARK

and and

2 2

GIBBONS GIBBONS

and 4. Vol. Vol. 4. and

2 2

No's 1, 1, No's

3, 3,

No's No's

7, 7,

.. SILT. P. R. R. P. SILT. ..

Vol. Vol.

Readers Readers

4. 4.

Vol. Vol.

all our our all

2. 2.

1964 1964

and and

3 3

3 3

to to

No. No.

intended to increase its size and interest interest and size its increase to intended

6, 6,

No's No's

is is

Winter Winter

2, 2,

Vol. Vol.

EDITORIAL STAFF P.O. V. V. P.O. STAFF EDITORIAL

4. 4.

Treasurer's Note Note Treasurer's

and a a and

No's 1 and 4. Vol. Vol. 4. and 1 No's

5, 5,

Vol. Vol.

Editor Editor

Treasurer Treasurer

2. 2.

041) 041)

If any reader has any of them and can spare them for the master record record master the for them spare can and them of any has reader any If

If all Diving Officers continue to sell at the present (or slightly higher) higher) slightly (or present the at sell to continue Officers Diving all If Vol. 1, No's 1 and and 1 No's 1, Vol.

The editorial staff are attempting to collect a complete set of editions editions of set complete a collect to attempting are staff editorial The

value accordingly. accordingly. value

2. 2.

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

0

jreasonably solvent and it it and solvent jreasonably

by return of post. post. of return by

1 and and 1

we will be most grateful and will forward a new copy of the latest magazine magazine latest the of copy new a forward will and grateful most be will we

No. No.

to keep for posterity, but find that the following issues are missing: missing: are issues following the that find but posterity, for keep to

vol.ii vol.ii rate we should go from strength to strength. strength. to strength from go should we rate

D

Prosperous New Year Year New Prosperous 'Flue to improved sales, the magazine at the November audit finds itself itself finds audit November the at magazine the sales, improved to 'Flue

Merry Christmas Christmas Merry

4 4 4 4

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

5 5

9 9

3 3

55 55 54 54

52 52

49 49

48 48

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45 45 46 46

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PAGE PAGE

2 2

Contents Contents

. .

FATHOMS FATHOMS

43 43

IIN IIN

RAND' It" It" RAND'

1964 1964

RI:SI:ARCH AND EXPLORATION EXPLORATION AND RI:SI:ARCH

But I I I I But

OF A LIFE LIFE A OF

QUI SI IDNS ANSWI RID RID ANSWI IDNS SI QUI

I DNI DNI I

01. AN FRA FRA AN 01.

NI•ws NI•ws

1 DI 11( 11( DI 1

0111111/%10( 0111111/%10(

l'imnip IONS AND ADVANCFMENTS ADVANCFMENTS AND IONS l'imnip

" I I II II I I "

1)11 P SI A A SI P 1)11

SToR v v SToR

THE PEACEFUL DEEP DEEP PEACEFUL THE

MY SOLENT SWIM SWIM SOLENT MY

DEATH LIES AT AT LIES DEATH

"CENTAUR'S" DIVING DIVING "CENTAUR'S"

THE BIRTH OF A TEAM TEAM A OF BIRTH THE

ONE-HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE DIVING ACCIDENTS ACCIDENTS DIVING SIXTY-FIVE AND ONE-HUNDRED

VIDAL STATISTICS STATISTICS VIDAL

THIS IS AMERICA AMERICA IS THIS

SAPPER DIVERS HELP IN AFRICAN LAKE PROJECT . . . . PROJECT LAKE AFRICAN IN HELP DIVERS SAPPER PORTSMOUTH COMMAND EX-PED DIVING EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT DIVING EX-PED COMMAND PORTSMOUTH

DIVING UNDER THE ICE ICE THE UNDER DIVING

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR EDITOR THE TO LETTERS

THE SEA (PART 1) 1) (PART SEA THE

"RECLAIM" "RECLAIM" TREASURER'S NOTE NOTE TREASURER'S

www.mcdoa.org.uk Letters to the Editor "IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM, can only result in ridicule and con- IGNORE 'EM" tempt from professionals who, al- though not owning £50 worth of COLLYER SMITH & CO. Ltd. Sir, fancy equipment, do have a sounding 219 WEST STREET, FAREHAM, HANTS It was with considerable interest line. that I read the points made by C.P.O. In conclusion it is to be hoped that Telephone No. 2211 and 2212/2213 Lam in his article "Sport Diving in the cordial relations that exist be- the Naval Air Command". (Pub- tween the Clearance Diving Branch Incorporated Insurance Brokers lished Volume 11/2). and the Sub-Aqua Clubs continue. In the eight years between 1955 and It might even be possible to have a Mortgage Brokers 1963 H.M.S. Vernon undertook to disarmament conference with the (Members of Services Insurance Brokers Association) provide diving instruction to the H.A.C.S.A.C., if their shoulders were British Sub-Aqua Club on Sunday brushed free of chips. afternoons. In 1956 alone 202 people P.O. A. W. G. BROOKER, C.D.I. availed themselves of this oppor- We specialise in ALL forms of Insurance for the tunity. It is estimated that over these years more than 2,400 visitors were * * ROYAL NAVY given displays, instruction and prac- NAVY TO THE RESCUE . HOUSE PURCHASE MORTGAGES ARRANGED tical diving. It was with regret that this practice had to be stopped at the Sir, commencement of 1964 due to Naval Business conducted only with LEADING LIFE OFFICES instructional requirements. Please allow me through your magazine to express public apprec- Charging no extra for From the above facts it should be iation of the salvage work done at apparent that instead of 'ridicule and Marsalforn, Gozo, by the Fleet WAR RISK contempt, a considerable effort has Clearance Diving Section of the been made to assist the amateurs. British Royal Navy on September CLIMATIC CONDITIONS As regards the status of Naval 14th and 16th. Three cars, a van and Divers v. S.A.C. Divers, some most two motor scooters were carried into AVIATION (other than Air Crew) important facts must be taken into the sea at Marsalforn beach by the consideration. Divers in the Fleet torential rain which hit Gozo re- and are given an intensive and varied cently. The P.W.D. managed to pull course. How much of this instruction two cars out of the sea. The other WORLD-WIDE COVER is retained depends on the individual car was deeply embedded in mud and • and on his diving officer. It should be shingle and could not be extricated. NOIE Personnel in SUBMARINE SERVICE and NAVAL remembered that Ship's Divers are The van and the scooters could not not regularly employed on diving DIV ERS can normally be placed without extra charge be found. The owner of the third duties as are Clearance Divers. An car went to Valetta to try and get example of the ability of one branch help from Royal Naval Divers. After of the N.A.C.S.A.C. from Kalafrana enquiries he managed to get in touch S I) YOUR INSURANCE PROBLEMS AND was the discovery of a Phoenician with the F.C.D. Officer at Manoel QUERIES TO US AND WE WILL GIVE YOU galley at Xlhendi in Gozo. This Island. Lt. Lovell-Smith was very THE BEST ADVICE OBTAINABLE intrepid band of auqanauts were sympathetic and promised to do supposed to be splashing about at what he could. This was on Friday REMEMBER, IT COSTS ONLY A STAMP TO i 60 feet when they found amphorae 1 1 th September. Next day he at 180 feet. Now we all know that telephoned and said that arrange- SEEK OUR ADVICE YET IT CAN SAVE YOU A the Med. is clear, but not that clear. ments had been made to start work CONSIDERABLE SUM OVER THE YEARS How many times has this particular the following Monday. Frogmen club and others like it taken similar were on the job for two days and risks ? This sort of stupid bravado really tried to do what they could. 4 5 4 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk They salvaged the car, which could Gormans, and in the police, we in ground floor of this establishment DIVERS I HAVE KNOWN not be pulled by crane from shore Surrey have now got a diving school would be the club rooms, a flat on Mrs. N. Spencer, alias Mum. the first floor could house the club before the divers had cleared the going for police underwater units. It he Shot Rope . . . I wonder, to Thud and silt around it. Unfortun- is with regard to the trainees we have manager and the other two storey's converted into self contained flats. how many Divers; past and ately the scooters could not be found. already had, and the many more we Tpresent, at home or. in `the far They must be buried somewhere hope to have, that I would like to say Money . . . The deposit for these flung outposts of the Empire' that beneath a bank of sand and pebbles. `thank you' to everyone concerned premises could be collected from all name conjures up memories. The van was too damaged and broken with the trainees visit to Vernon. up to be worth salvaging. willing divers, who on paying a sum Memories of `passing out' cere- The value of working-up to that of money would become life mem- monies via the `Horse Trough', of To Lt. Lovell-Smith and his men final day with the Navy is immense, bers, and receive a share. The rates parties for those going out to civvy we say: `Well done and thank you'. and I'm sure is not fully appreciated and mortgage would be paid by street or abroad, of sing songs with Yours Truly, by the diving types who foster us on tenants of the flats and bar profits. Jock Hunter or Taff Roberst, of these visits. To go away, having M. Mizzi. Manager . . . This is the big celebrations after classes, of quiet dived in your water (ugh), experienced get-togethers and of talking 'shop'. a dry-dip in the 'pot', and most of all problem ; the ideal man would be a having met and talked to real naval diver en route for pension. He would Thinking about and writing this divers, is an experience each man have to be dedicated to the diving article has brought back many happy THANK YOU cherishes more than any other. fraternity (imagine the yarns and memories for me, fifteen years of Your magazine is spreading in hard luck tales across the bar), have them. For it was all that time ago Editor, a working knowledge of bar duties popularity throughout the police that the first little band of happy Perhaps a few lost friends in R.N. teams, due to the efforts of the and an insight into managerial warriors from 'Reclaim', Ginger, Diving circles will read this article if volunteer sales promoters (I'm sure problems. The success or failure Scants, Nobby, Doc, Jacko, etc., etc., would basically depend on this man. you can find room for it in your they have perches above the gate, first started the Shot Rope as the magazine, and remember that `odd- the way they swoop whenever `fair Divers Annexe. During those years bod' of a copper who passed through In submitting this letter, I am how many Gingers, Lofty's, Shorties game' enter). Perhaps a few police hoping you will see fit to print it, the portals of Drake a couple of years and Nobbies have come and gone, I D.O's will send you odd items of and thus enable the seed-to be sown back, then maybe they will make a their experiences. have lost count, but they are all re- stop at Woking. T.C.W. membered. Many still keep in touch. I've often wondered what the Always a welcome at Woking. Before I close and say `Be Good' may The idea outlined above is basically I thank all those Divers who have school thought of having a civvy type HARRY WEBB, Sergeant. on course there, especially one with sound but the problems are immense. always been so kind to me, especially Underwater Section, If any reader has the solutions or during my recent stay in hospital, absolutely no naval background at Police Station, Woking. all. It was a real eye-opener for me. alternative please submit them to and tell them that nobody is prouder of her title than, The Divers Mum. The most striking impression to this office. V.G. remain for me is the occasion when being told not to pass the keel on my first ship's bottom search. As the ROYAL NAVAL DIVING light slowly grew brighter, it dawned ASSOCIATION on me also that ships don't come to a Sgt. Webb of the Guildford Police Two golfers were about to drive point at the bottom first clanger. S there anything more to the Royal off when a funeral procession passed Naval Diving Association other who is a very keen diver, recently Then there were the holes in the I paid a visit to H.M.S. Vernon Diving along the main road. The golfer who than the purchase of the blazer had teed up lowered his club, re- bottom of your ships, that didn't badge and tie ? School and went home blushing. seem right to me either, but I It appears whilst he was discussing moved his hat and lowered his head suppose that like all the best bottoms It seems to me, and all divers I until the cars were out of sight. His have discussed this with, that there diving `up at the office' he had the the holes had a purpose. misfortune of being caught with his friend was a little surprised and said is unlimited potential for an enter- `I didn't know you were so religious, The one custom I never did take to car improperly parked. His remarks prising individual to start a Diver's when he was trying to scrape the George. It was very touching of you was that of eating oggies in the early Association on the lines of the to do that'. `Well', came the reply, hours, after a night dive, but at least E.R.A's. The idea I had in mind was sticky lable off his wind-screen were, `quite an effective way this sticky `It's the least I could do. I've been I did acquire a taste for scallops. the purchase of a four storey house, married to her for thirty years. Based on the experience gained by in Portsmouth area, and later, small- label, I'll have to tell my Super'. Surrey officers at Drake, Siebe er premises at all major ports, The 6 www.mcdoa.org.uk

The location for the diving in in diving the for location The

difficulty, but even so on one occasion occasion one on so even but difficulty,

point mooring on a bottom where a a where bottom a on mooring point

depth. We succeeded after much much after succeeded We depth.

unenviable job of conning to a four- a to conning of job unenviable

distance of a few feet often meant meant often feet few a of distance several hundreds of feet difference in in difference feet of hundreds several

tain, Lt.-Cdr. Simpson, had the the had Simpson, Lt.-Cdr. tain, be found and when found the Cap- the found when and found be

Teneriffe proved a difficult task. A A task. difficult a proved Teneriffe

suitable depth of over 500 feet had to to had feet 500 over of depth suitable

preliminary dry dips. dips. dry preliminary

`aches' and 'niggles', but fortunately fortunately but 'niggles', and `aches'

nothing serious. Much of the credit credit the of Much serious. nothing

suffered much at R.N.P.L. during the the during R.N.P.L. at much suffered

goes of course to the divers who who divers the to course of goes

radar set. A total of 14 dives to 500 500 to dives 14 of total A set. radar

feet were carried out with a few few a with out carried were feet

Many of us had our eyes and head head and eyes our had us of Many

mersible decompression chamber). chamber). decompression mersible

the chains above the S.D.C. (sub- S.D.C. the above chains the

going round continuously, like a a like continuously, round going

9 9

H.M.S. "Reclaim" under full sail sail full under "Reclaim" H.M.S.

Reclaim, 1964 " " 1964 Reclaim,

UR last article was written prior prior written was article last UR

in the Canary Isles, where, as as where, Isles, Canary the in

On odd occasions at the deeper deeper the at occasions odd On

Various yarns and ditties will be be will ditties and yarns Various

immediately made for the safety of of safety the for made immediately

boot. boot.

depths one felt one was not alone and and alone not was one felt one depths

but most of us felt it was a very good good very a was it felt us of most but

achievement, and hard work to to work hard and achievement,

told by all who took part in the trial, trial, the in part took who all by told

the magnified sound of your breath- your of sound magnified the

ki to the annual Deep Diving trials trials Diving Deep annual the to ki

ing and you listen to that real hard'. hard'. real that to listen you and ing

gets you down there. There is only only is There there. down you gets

r\ r\

500 feet. It was Don Hodge who, as as who, Hodge Don was It feet. 500

dives 'It's the loneliness that really really that loneliness the 'It's dives

a newspaper reporter, said of these these of said reporter, newspaper a

the work-up depth of as little as 50 50 as little as of depth work-up the

feet, on air, to the eerie depths of of depths eerie the to air, on feet,

most of the Diving fraternity knows, knows, fraternity Diving the of most

we carried out a series of dives from from dives of series a out carried we I I

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o o

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o o r www.mcdoa.org.uk our port anchor brake and deck us our 'Pompey revs' however, and manned and only fired in bordom. out-done the strange dances were clench could not hold the colossal with the aid of the main sail and a The Chef ditched a heap of meat and tackled with great gusto and com- weight of the cables and we lost 14i temporary forsail made out of the bones over the side while a dive was plete and utter chaos reigned. Quick- shackles in as many seconds. quarter deck awning we got along in progress, and he even swears he's steps to bagpipes proved difficult to The daily routine ran pretty at least in spirit, if not in actuality, not anti-diving or diver. A depth of execute, unless the executers had been smoothly and without too many a good deal faster. 100 feet, with oxygen stops, turned previously primed with a few wee snags, the one big problem being the Leave period completed we headed out to be first schedule, and went nips, which just about covered the markings of winch wires so we could for Rosyth and refit. The team smoothly with no throw-backs at all. whole team. accurately gauge the depth. Our managed to keep in trim with weekly The enjoyable part of this trial The Tobermory trials again went only reasonably successful markings visits to Caledonia baths. The 15 being the night return to the jetty, well, and the 45 minutes on the consisted of wire seizings which had feet seemed rather tame after the where needless to say the Chain- bottom proved an asset to collecting to be renewed after almost every dive ! deep trials but we were grateful to locker and other neighbouring booz- Scallops, Cray-fish and Buck whelks. The team, having to work late at get off once a week as a refit isn't the ers took a pounding. Old friends The Team had a few lobster pots, night after the dives finished, were, best of times onboard ship. were met from the Heli-crash team, with varied success, Chief caught and to put it mildly, slightly 'fed up' with April came and after a few almost and a hard chased class under `Nic' ate the only lobster. this but despite the offer of fags, tots, embarassing engine failures we sailed Carter. etc. as the prize for any better for Ostend for our first minesweeping Again on the move, the ever busy About this period after Tobermory method, no one came up with a exercise, The usual run of the mill Reclaim left for Tobermory to carry trials little can be said. A short stay brain-wave. This offer is still open diving took place in none too healthy out another phase of the trials, for in Stonehaven, en route to Port and 'Pat' Christmas would give his waters and various arguments took which, after a quiet trip to the Edgar, turned out to be a good run; back teeth for the solution. place between us and C.P.O. Western Isles we anchored off-shore. we ran into an old friend of the At weekends we secured alongside Hendrickson on whether or not the We dived to 130 and 150 feet, with branch, Jock Brown, now an ardent in Santa Cruz for a couple of days off. canals were neat sewage. oxygen stops, and got the occasional civvy with a yen to get a boat and go ache and niggle; but with the arrival full-time fishing (and poaching by all Many of the team lived ashore in the After our two weeks stay in Hotel Anaga, which proved a highly of our friend 'Doc Mackay', on one accounts). He still refrains from too Ostend we left for a hopeful short particular niggly day, we were very much drink, but with his wife had a successful location for team runs. stay in Pompey and having been in The tourists enjoyed the divers nearly convinced that aches were due wee dram in the mess. Scotland so long it was looked to old age or something. While oil rendering of old English verse such forward to by the few English At the time of writing, Reclaim, is as 'Maggie May' with the Lobster about our friend the Doctor, may we speaking people on board. Once in congratulate him on his promotion, steaming up Hardanger fiord heading song and other refined odes to Portsmouth we embarked on the for Nordheidsund, which is an out- follow. Mr. Williams had, on and hope it doesn't take him too far normal procedure of bumming bits away from diving. of-the-way rock-laden town to which occasions, slight trouble with in- and pieces from the Dockyard, and we are taking a dozen sea cadets for somnia and found himself counting of course fending-off the ever present A dance for the ship's company the trip, the ship's company for a the steady pounding of feet on the Geminis from Vernon, paying social took place soon after we anchored, `jolly', and the team for a bit of ceiling above him in time to Doc calls. and most, if not all ashore, showed fishing. Carling's many party pieces. up for it. Not quite what was ex- The Portland races were our next pected, since a brace of bagpipes and The team at present consists of Lt. We were lucky to be spared to see call, where it was said the Porltand fiddles was the band, and the entire Lafferty, C.P.O. Christmas, P.O. the only Bull Fight during the six team were going to do something evening was spent, by all sailors, in Gardener, P.O. Cornick, P.O. weeks we were there. Many com- that sounded like an 'Awkward' on trying to dance unpronouncable, im- Handford, L.S. Smith, L.S. North, ments were heard after the fight but us. It was cancelled, just as well as possible Scottish reels. But not to be A.B. Fowles. mostly it satisfied the usual gory we were occupied with a brush up delight Matelots have for someone on demolitions ashore and compass getting hurt. We did have difficulty swims around the rocks. Pat, 'Jack though, in distinguishing 'Brum' Hargreaves', Christmas was to the Fowles from the bulls. fore with his fishing and netting, and `Let's go out this evening,' the `For twenty years,' mused the man Towards the end of the trials was endeavouring to keep his hooks bored husband suggested, 'and have at the bar, 'my wife and I were everyone looked forward to a well off our crabs. a little fun'. 'All right', returned his ecstatically happy'. 'Then what earned Christmas leave. Unfor- May, found us in Falmouth ready equally bored mate, 'and don't lock happened', asked the bartender. tunately Reclaim had six days steam- for another phase of Diving trials. the front door if you get home before `We met!' ing ahead of her which caused us to A few sharks hung around, but no miss the Divers' Dinner. Chief gave incidents occured. Rifles were 10 www.mcdoa.org.uk 11 www.mcdoa.org.uk THE SEA PART I How can I Save? HE study of the sea is known as which have probably remained un- oceanography, a recently coined changed since their formation and Of course, I try to. But my pay's not enough to save T anything. word although this branch of although covered with sediments they That's what I thought when I was your age, until science has been practiced for about are basically the same. However, someone showed me the progressive Savings Scheme. a hundred years. The science deals although development research into I only had to put aside £3 a month by Naval Allot- with the composition of the sea- underwater vehicles capable of oper- ment but when I leave the Service next year I can ation in depths of 20,000 feet is well collect water, its salts, minerals and gases; £855. the movement of the sea, tides and advanced, these depths are of little Sounds too good to be true. Whcie's the catch? currents; the composition of the sea- practical interest to the diver, he is No catch. And if I had died at any bed and the sea-shore; and life in limited to the shallower waters time my wife vi ould have received the sea — animal, fish and plant. usually associated with coastal reg- the whole £855 immediately. You A study of marine climate must also ions. see, it's a Savings Scheme and Life be included for the weather has a Assurance Scheme rolled into one. direct effect on the conditions of the If you trace a depth line around the coast you will find that it is not Supposing you hadn't signed on for 22 years' service? sea. Thus oceanography is, broadly Well, when I had finished my 9 years, and had paid a study for the chemist, the physicist, symmetrical but meanders all over premiums for 7 years, I could have drawn £234 to the place, the distance from shore help set me up in Civvy Street, but now, after 22 the biologist and the meteorologist. It will now be better understood why varying with the geographical loc- years' service, I shall have the option of taking the ation. The depth changes with the £855, or if I don't iced the cash immediately, a these articles must of necessity be of contour and gradient of the bottom, pension of £172* a year when I retire from civilian a very general nature since the writer work at 65. cannot lay claim to one or even part and this can be divided into three sections. Firstly from the shore to Which will you take? of one of these qualifications. I'm going for the pension. I'm all lined up for a job the 100 fathom line forms the Con- already, and with the extra pension to look forward It is not generally realised that the tinental Shelf, from the 100 fathom to when I retire, and the wife provided for if any- sea covers over two thirds of the to the 2,000 fathom line forms the thing happened to me—well, its the kind of security we all want. earth's surface and that if it were Continental Slope and from here to possible to iron out all the irregular- deep sea-bed is the Abyssal Plain. How do you set about all this? The Continental Shelf, as the name That's easy. Ask the Provident Life for details of the Progressive ities on the earth's surface, the water Savings Scheme. would flood the land to a depth of indicates, surrounds the Continents about 2,000 fathoms. For statistical and supports the land and generally •F,r members of the W.R.N.S. t':e pension is £140 a year. minded the sea occupies a volume of all depths on the shelf are 600 feet or 324 million cubic miles as against the less, this depth line being taken as land volume of 23 million cubic miles, the seaward edge of the Shelf. Its a ratio of 15 to 1. The deepest depth gradient is dependent in its width and in the world, recorded is the this varies considerably on different I PROVIDENT Marianas Trench south of Japan, is parts of the world. Off the west coast LIFE over 36,000 feet deep which is about of America the Shelf is almost non- ASSOCIATION OF LONDON 7,000 feet greater than the height of existent and the sea-bed drops away LIMITED Founded I97 7 Everest, and this is not an isolated rapidly from the sea-shore, but off case. There are other 'deeps' to the south west England the Shelf ex- north of New Zealand and in the tends some 200 miles into the ziiiiistirtimoiliticiusEuillimiliniimiliiiitui Send this Coupon to : IMIII.InellinielII1111111111111111111111:11111111111. r."_ Phillippines all with depths over Atlantic and the gradient is a gradual 246 BISHOPSGATE, LONDON, E.C.2. ;.: ^1, z 30,000 feet, so capable of taking one. Thus the Home Waters ex- 671 = Please forward details of the Progressive Savings Scheme. = Everest. In addition great mountain tended to Ushant in the south to the Name chains or ridges rise from the sea-bed Faeroes in the north, and including 1-.-. in all oceans some breaking surface the whole of the North Sea are within Rating/Rank Age next birthday .i... to form islands such as the Azores diving 'reach', the deep diving record .T. Address and Tristian de Cunha. This im- being by co-incidence 600 feet. And mense underseas world has features for those who shudder at the thought 13 12 www.mcdoa.org.uk G.A.F.

Ideas are being circulated as to the

A comprehensive report will be

marked.

but in the Home Waters it will be penetrated. In the Mediterranean much shallower and not nearly so or no wind and constant clear blue

be experienced at the lower limit of in the summer months with little noticeable after a heavy rainfall. the surface heated layer, the depth properties results in vertical move- When decsending to the depths skies, the depth is around 50 feet

ments of the water due to the differ-

at which the sun's warmth has Ex-ped Officer which will be pub- due to off-shore discharges or land another change of temperature may temperature are unlikely to be caused by currents but are more probably public use. Training programmes for keen inexperienced personel will be in coastal waters sudden changes of rules are being constructed by the which are out of reach in the normal held, with weekend banyans, ex- ences of density of the two currents. The colder water will sink in the flow, the latter being particularly interested. run of service diving — for all meeting of waters of vastly dissimilar lighter warmer water. Incidentally lished in the near future. best method of adopting this gear for when the rules and a suggested pro- cursions to good diving sites — gramme have been developed. V.G. made in the next issue (Vol. 12/1)

15

Portsmouth Command

Ex-Ped Diving Equipment

ECENTLY we acquired a num-

ber of 40 cubic feet compressed

air cylinders, an assortment of

The Labarador current in its

Unfortunately as the previous

By the Spring of 1965 it is hoped

R

Labarador, at the same laltitude both to 15° F. is experienced over a north easterley direction along the Florida coast across the Atlantic to rents both originate in the Arctic Labrador and East Greenland cur- Gulf of Mexico which pour out in a southward passage meets the Gulf very cold water conditions to the plainly seen when one considers an winter, and those in Greenland and

North West Europe. This warm regions and flow southward to bring completely frozen over. distance of less than a mile. This and a temperature change of 10 to about two knots, influences water contrast to the Gulf Stream, the ice free harbour in Norway in the adjacent coastal areas. The result is and as far north as Spitzbergen. In other bits and pieces. stream travelling at the surface at conditions along the coast of Norway demand valves, webbed harnesses, Stream to the south of Newfoundland users had little working knowledge of this type of equipment it handed over, very little was in safe to have an operational store of aqua- fins, masks, snorkle tubes and various deteriorated, until when it was overhauled, serviced and tested. working order. At the moment of lungs and accessories. A series of writing, the gear is being thoroughly www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Currents also affect the distrib-

land will become hotter more quickly

the sun has set the land will give up reverse of the majority of solid sub- temperature. This is almost the than the water during the day, although the water will absorb more heat in that period. Similarly when erty has a decisive influence on the ered by wide oceans as is the British Isles, the climate is moderated by the stances including the land. If you imagine the sun shining at the same and will become colder. This prop- over 75 per cent of the heat is ab- strength on two similar sized areas, its heat more quickly than the water dependent on the transparency of the water. In the clear oceanic water sea and extremes of air temperatures turbid coastal waters 99 per cent. is unless there is some means of mixing one of water and one of land, the still as the proverbial mill pond, the climate, and where the land is bord- sun's radiation would penetrate the are unlikely. If the oceans were as low, the depth of penetration being the water the heating would in the surface layer to heat the waters be- main be confined to the upper 30

absorbed in the same depth. So sorbed in the first 30 feet, and in But we know that this is not the case depth would be a very cold business.

wind blows the deeper will be the foot layer, and diving below that porting large bodies of water many

for the wind causes the surface being dependent on the origin of the waters to be stirred, the stronger the

effect resulting in a surface layer of ution for they are capable of trans- water of about the same temperature.

thousand of miles, the temperature ocean rivers produced mainly by the with which we are most familiar is water is the result of the South East action of the wind. Perhaps that current. Currents are a form of the Gulf Stream. This body of warm

Trade winds piling up water in the

14

One of the properties of the water

which greatly affect diving operations

is temperature and this of course bring this depth within the capabil- Shelf and swim or 'vehicle' down the temperature decreases with depth, Slope to the depth required. twice this depth. The divers would of a tin helmet and lead soled boots, thus be housed on the edge of the varies with depth, latitude and the Cousteau's `Conshelr (an abbrev- gramme aims at living at 600 feet and with increases of latitude and of months. At the equator the average present under development will soon sending divers down to work at course is warmest in the summer making suit diving almost unbearable point of sea-water in those regions. half of the world is on average 3° let me assure them that techniques at iation of Continental Shelf) pro- while in the Polar waters the temper- season. With few exceptions water

ities of the swimmer/diver. It is of northern hemisphere. It is a strange interest to note here that Commander ature can drop to 20° F., the freezing being on the same latitude. The sea surface temperature is about 88° F., higher than that in the southern half Around the British Isles the average fact that the water in the northern than the average for the whole of the is about 52° F. which is 14° lower number at Auckland Island, to the so that a diver in Portsmouth enjoys warmer dips than his opposite

south of New Zealand, both places warms more quickly after clear days is warmed by the sun so that we can than any other substance and con- expect to find the higher temper- heat without much reduction of move away from the equator, and it generally true and we find that the sea gets progressively colder as we than after dull overcast days. Water atures in the sunniest regions. This is versely it can lose large quantities of can absorb greater quantities of heat www.mcdoa.org.uk

110.•••••••••• 1,041 DIVING UNDER THE ICE N the winter of 1962, our summer, stove in the hut maintained the Tailored by a number of dives to depths temperature above freezing point so Iranging from 10 to 150 feet were preventing the hole from icing over made under the ice at McMurdo and of course providing a com-' Sound in the Antarctic. The divers paratively warm shelter for the diver Coopers used the American S.C.U.B.A. (self- when he surfaced. A life-line was contained underwater breathing ap- used to enable the diver to return to paratus), which is an open circuit the hole and to provide a means of compressed air set, and wore a communication. During the mid- neoprene foam 'wet' suit for inner winter months there are 24 hours of heat insulation and a dry suit with darkness so underwater floodlights Points Ahead built-in hood and mittens for outer were used to enable photography and in a suit designed protection. This combination proved visual observations to be carried out. very successful and enabled dives of The marine life in the water dies as and tailored for the up to one hour duration to be carried the darkness decreases leaving the out without undue discomfort. To water exceptionally clear during the Younger Man make the dive through the ice a hut 24-hour nights. Such was the visi- normally used for scientific obser- bility that a fountain pen light was vations in the polar area, was placed lowered to a depth of 330 feet and over a selected location for the ice could still be seen. The dives were hole. The ice, varying in thickness carried out by a group of young As illustrated £11 . 15 . 0 from 2i to 6 feet, was cut and entry American biologists, who were en- (Tailored to Measure) to the water made through a hole in gaged in other scientific work during the floor of the hut. .A diesel oil their stay.

Payment may be made by monthly allotment. See our representative or telephone Portsmouth 22841

W. COOPER (HARWICH) LIMITED

Branches at : Portsmouth, Devonport, Eastney, Chatham, Dunfermline, Harwich, Portland, Exmouth, Helston (Cornwall), Sliema, Malta, G.C.

No, its not McMurdo Sound in the Antarctic. It's Horsea Island, Portsmouth, Winter, 1962. I 6 www.mcdoa.org.uk 17 www.mcdoa.org.uk them to move to the other side of the despite the arduous heat conditions. Sapper Divers Help in African Lake lake, but unfortunately for two of Though the unit has already built them it was a case of 'curiosity killed roads, bridges and airfields in all Project the croc' — their skins are now being parts of Kenya, Uganda and Tangan- turned into handbags and wallets. yika, including a mountain climbers' HOUSANDS of years ago when of equality for all in the newly When the survey itself begins, hut 15,500 feet up Mount Kiliman- Africa's highest peak, Mount independent nation, one villager was radio active isotopes of Tritium — jaro, according to the Commanding TKilimanjaro, was still an active heard to comment indignantly: 'This its radiation is so weak it can be Officer, Major M. P. Bull, this was volcano, a few miles south-east of the is no work for wazungu (Europeans), stopped by a sheet of newspaper — the first time they had worked mountain the earth gave a final fiery it is work for Africans !' will be dropped in a regular pattern together on one project as a complete belch and blew a square mile hole in Because of the purity of the water over the lake's surface. The rate at Squardon. 'It's not very often we get its crust, and today the results of that in the crater, Government experts which the radiation thins will indicate the chance of a project of this scale', attack of geological indigestion is suspect the lake is fed by underwater the replacement rate of the water. he commented. 'There was work for known as the Chala crater. streams, possibly originating in the Geiger counter tests will be made on nearly every tradesman.' Water-filled, and ranking as the Kilimanjaro snowfields and rain nearby rivers, streams and springs For the local African population third largest volume of water in forests. To keep a check on fluct- and from their Tritium content the the track down will bring many Kenya, Chala has long been one of uations in the water level, the surveyors will be able to find which benefits. As well as opening up the nature's mysteries. The source of its Squadron's frogment have installed are fed by Chala. lake for swimming and boating by estimated 2,000 million gallons of a 60-foot vertical tube — 40 feet of it Though contributing to the future tourists, it will mean that villages pure water and its outlet have never underwater — fitted with measuring of Kenya's developing agricultural in- from nearby Taveta can use boats been discovered. instruments. At times the lake is dustry, as far as 34 Field Squadron to net some of the millions of Talepia With a view to tapping this huge, said to have a rise and fall of 60 feet. was concerned, the project was looked (a tasty white meat fresh water fish) natural well for irrigating nearby The erection of this 2 foot upon as a training exercise. Lake for sale in the fish markets of Kenya farms and sisal estates, the Kenya diameter pipe presented its own Chala was classed as 'an earthquake and Tanganyika. 'May God go with Government decided to go ahead difficulties. But the squadrons disaster area' and the object was to you in your work', wished a village with the survey of the Lake and asked `boffins' put their heads together and test the Squadron in a speedy air elder to the Sappers as he watched 34 Independent Field Squadron of eventually solved the problem of move from their headquarters at his fellow tribesmen bringing in the the Royal Engineers for help. providing the divers with a floating Gilgil, 300 miles from the lake. first catches. Shaped like a huge bowl, with a working platform by designing and Living and working under oper- This article, written by Alan. J. sheer drop of 200 feet from the building a prefabricated raft. Built ational conditions, the Squadron Forshaw, Army Information Officer crater lip to the water level, it was in two 7 cwt. sections the raft was proved its men and equipment were in Kenyd, was first printed in Sapper impossible to get the Government lowered 200 feet by ropes from the capable of dealing with any situation in July 1964. hydrological engineers, geologists, workshop area at the top of the crater and assembled on the water. surveyors and their equipment down 11.12=11171,1smiME•emr•11[0•14 the rock face, so the Sappers first A steel girder tower with hoist was task was to build a track. then used to lower 12-foot lengths of EXTRACT the level recording pipe through a THIS IS AMERICA Clinging to the crater wall like trap in the centre of the raft to the flies and working in temperatures frogmen under the surface. The pipe There are 16,500 psychiatrists women and appear to need this which topped the 95 degree Fahren- is bolted on to steel legs which are ;egistered in this country. America masculine and adventurous occup- heit mark, the Sappers blasted away concreted into a 40-foot deep rock is burning with curiosity about her- ation to, prove themselves he-men'. more than 1,000 tons of volcanic ledge which runs round the perimeter self, and each day lies down on the Dr. Heyder was called in to find rock with plastic explosive and of the lake. Most of the lake is couch to await another incredible why three out of every four sailors moved another one thousand tons estimated to be about 300 feet deep. revelation. flop frogmen training tests. Most with pneumatic rock-breakers, picks The raft was also used to aid the failures said : 'I get lonesome for my and shovels. The latest comes from Dr. Sappers in building a metal catwalk Dietrich Heyder, Director of the girl friend' and 'My wife wants me For the local African population from the pipe to the shore. Mental Health Centre of the U.S. to drop out'. the whole operation proved to be an As well as the normal hazards of Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia. He This led the Doctor to his sen- eye-opener. It was the first time working underwater, the frogmen has been studying frogmen, and will sational conclusion that frogmen who many of them had seen Europeans also had to deal with a number of undoubtedly break the navy's heart fail think there is nothing like a stripped to the waist doing manual inquisitive crocodiles. Small under, with his findings. For he reckon's dame whereas there was 'something labour, and despite politicians claims water explosions soon persuaded the best frogmen 'are frightened of lacking with the successful'. 18 www.mcdoa.org.uk 19 first

"Vidal" during

The following day we had a dip in

After these two operational dives

the solution. The obstruction a- bounded with fish but due to its of the River Orinoco. We had been putty. The stem of the wreck was Having fixed the wreck's position by

location visibility was none too good. launches and eventually anchored to pushing the harbour launch off the requested by the Port of Spain be possible to demolish it or erect a was our job to determine if it would Admiralty chart put it) we started the harbour authorities to investigate which differed by two or three miles light on it. Three divers went down to our destination by a combination on the American and Admiralty of Land-Rovers, punts and harbour windward of the wreck at 1400 after a hectic journey, which once involved requisite bars, etc. en route and sextant and transit (it was where the trip back, stopping off at all the and all concluded that a light was and re-fix a wreck, the position of just visible, being low water, and it

charted symbol. We were transported finally arriving back at the ship at

2100.

Chaguaramus Bay to determine a

Numerous ships had had difficulty berthing due to some strange effect strong set around the jetties there. but nothing abnormal could be banyan lunches; one of these we

we had two further days away from found. Goodwills Bay on the West coast. the ship with the aqua-charger and with the Trinidad Sub-Aqua Club in The latter was of particularly good spent in Scotland Bay on the North coast of the island and the other

21

Vidal Statistics

Season—

Report from H.M.S.

During our first visit to

E commissioned in the middle

of September 1963 and after

trials and a short work up

Surveying

With sad hearts we left Leixoes on

The Serpents Mouth is a narrow

Diving W

`Reeperbahn' and having recovered Leixoes outer harbour in order to get

Hamburg. We did little diving during the Douro vineyards. Here we had a our senses somewhat, found our- a week long) sailed for the delights of (unlike the 'Grey Funnel' Line only the whole team together; it was un- these early stages, except down the dip, not in the vineyards but in Port selves in Oporto and not too'far from fortunate that the bottom was unin- teresting and only one forenoon

could be spent on the job. the evening tide of 21st October, but

we had the thought of Trinidad in three weeks time and the 70/70 rule,

fall below these figures scrub round the dip and earn your make'n mend under the Bosun's eager eye! The

that is if the visibility and temperature West Africa to the Caribbean and

ship was undertaking an oceano- graphical cruise nicknamed `Navado' which necessitated running east— west lines across the Atlantic from vice versa, stopping about e''ery third day for a station, when bottle

samples, cores, bottom photographs mitted sending away the motor and secchi disc were taken as well as cutter. of which was to establish a detached

seismic runs when the weather per- Chaguaramus, Trinidad, the object esting dips, one of which took us hinterland to the Serpents Mouth. survey party, we had several inter- over 120 miles of rugged Trinidad

passage between Venezuela and

Trinidad and lies in the murky delta

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

OF INTERNATIONAL

SUCCESS

THE WORLD

TOWNS

OTHER

THAN 800

LEADING

AND IN MORE

LONDON • MONTREAL

BRUSSELS • CAIRO AMSTERDAM • ATHENS

MUNICH • NAIROBI • NEW YORK AVAILABLE IN: COPENHAGEN • FRANKFURT OSLO • PARIS • SALISBURY GENEVA • HONG KONG KHARTOUM • LISBON SINGAPORE • STOCKHOLM CAPE TOWN • COLOMBO SYDNEY • WELLINGTON

THROUGHOUT

THE KING SIZE CIGARETTE

CITIES AND

STATE EXPRESS-THE BEST CIGARETTES IN THE WORLD www.mcdoa.org.uk value. We had arranged our rendez- Portland before sailing again for time to take advantage of the very team, which are : vous with the Sub-Aqua Club in warmer climes, this time Spain. favourable conditions, which we all order to search over the wreck of Running from Cadiz and Gib. we look forward to again. To keep Sub-Lieut. C. Gobey, S.W.D. a galleon lying in 60 to 70 feet. We are now surveying the western tally on fellow divers Lt.-Cd.r L.S. Howe, Sh.D. spent the whole day absolutely approaches to the Straits having had Campbell has recently left us for the A.B. Birkett, Sh.D. enthralled by the superbly clear runs in Lisbon, Azores, Cadiz and Hyprographic School, Plymouth! we A.B. Snell, Sh.D. water and the remains of what was Casablanca none of which are ex- hope he is enjoying life in the gloom once a fine sailing ship. We bene- actly good from the health point of A.B. Ballantyne, Sh.D. of the Sound. Lt. Russell will be A.B. Goodland, Sh.D. fitted greatly from the advice and view. going shortly to the Orient and it local knowledge of the club and were The Azores, however provided us only remains for me to sign off, R.E.M. Bunker, S.W.D. very grieved to hear later that two of with excellent opportunity in clear wishing well and list the rest of the C. S. GOBEY (Sub.-Lieutenant). them, Adam Richards and Victor waters once again and we spent a day Abraham were drowned in a rock spear fishing off Punta Rosto Do Cao fall at the Guacharo caves, near near Ponta Delgada. We had a Oropouche. We all send our heart- couple of good catches and managed felt sympathy to their families for to land a 62 lb grouper, Ballantyne their tragic loss. will tell you that it is nothing to him, One-hundred and Sixty-five Our dive in Scotland Bay was also but then he would; a photograph is of good value with splendid visibility enclosed to prove it, and he still Diving Accidents and many varied rock faces and swears that it wasn't dead before he by ledges to explore. Here also we caught it! discovered the functional value of SURGEON-CAPTAIN STANLEY MILES, Royal Navy our portable charger, which we had specially supplied for our detached HERE are very few occupations _ As diving becomes established, parties : it took nearly two hours to or sports which do not have and this is certainly true of the charge one set to 110 ats ! rrsome hazard, in fact it might commercial and military diving, so Across to Bathurst in West Africa be said that the hazard is one of techniques improve and the practice and back saw Christmas in Trinidad the challenges which make the becomes safer. The following study and New Year in Barbados, ob- occupation worthwhile and the pre- of 165 accidents is taken without bias viously no diving, anyway the Bosun, sence of any danger encourages and covers without omission in- as seems to be quite common with care and perfection in techniques. cidents which have been reported to Bosuns', wanted his hands for paint- The growing practice of diving is the Royal Naval Medical School ing ship. Across the vast Atlantic not without its risks and, as many within the last five years. Diving wastes again and back to U.K. via techniques in this field are relatively organisations are of course always the Canaries for a short 'tie up' and new, there is still much to be learnt. proud of their records of safety and the fitting of new equipment. During The object of this paper is to reluctant to disclose their mis- this latter period we were lucky review a series of underwater acci- fortunes; thus some of them have enough to have Lt.-Cdr. Huyskens dents and see if any recommendations not contributed to this survey. On of the Royal Netherlands Navy with can be made to increase safety. the other hand there have been many us to help us out in our oceana- Any worthwhile activity where injury others who realise that the more graphical role. As many of the more or loss of life are accepted as outside publicity that is given to accidents, staid readers will remember he possibilities should be so planned to the more effort will be made to gained distinction during the war by ensure that these are kept at a prevent them. Although fuller de- his bomb and mine disposal work minimum level. What are the tails are available, these records are presented without disclosing the underwater. A/B Ballantyne with his catch accepted death and injury rates for Two months in U.K. in winter is any activity must vary considerably individual's name, country or occup- is not an ideal time fora diving having Back to the U.K. at the end of with the enthusiasm or profit in that ation. Reports have, moreover, been just returned from the glorious August for our four month lie up' particular field. Always there must received from many parts of the conditions of the West Indies but and some well earned leave — for be striving to reduce it and always it world and though they may not be still we divers can grin and bear it some; January 1965 will find us in must be very small or the participants directly applicable to diving in this and we had two or three dips on the the Caribbean once more, this time will be discouraged and its progress country there is a worthwhile lesson ships hull both in Chatham and for eight months and perhaps more lapse. to be learnt from every one. 22 www.mcdoa.org.uk 23 In many cases divers completely

Another, disaster resulted from a

under water. Anoxia, on the other

hand, is a condition of a more oxygen partial pressure in the lungs underwater cave. The operation was results in loss of consciousness. Of undigested and un-chewed food). being unable to regain them, the 18 fatal cases of asphyxia, 8 lost face mask, lost their mouth-pieces in diving and may be swept away by gentle onset where a gradual fall of fouled. In 4 the life-line was inad- wedged in awkward underwater con- their mouth-pieces and drowned. At of panic. Another was pulled off there were 2 who died from inhaled vomit. (In both these the post his breathing set. Operating alone equate or absent. Of the remainder fail to appreciate the hazards of the water swimmers with aqua-lungs, must also be condemned as illus- drowned, no doubt with some degree trated by an underwater fisherman attempting to expel this water and when an underwater object was conditions into which they are exploring a tunnel leading from an divers who, when water entered the exceptionally large amounts of strong tides or currents or become mortem showed stomachs containing the distance it had to be carried from base. As things turned out the task was taken this was minimal owing to examples concern fairly expert under- ground tunnel and not having the least 4 of these were inexperienced a long way from civilization and parted where it had been joined with although some reserve equipment

diver swimming along an under- so interested in his work that he structions or wrecks. Two typical being trapped in the tunnel. The one slightest idea about the endurance of of a nylon tape as a life-line which was much too hazardous, both men

single outstanding error was the use adhesive tape!

25

7

7

6 5

4

10

40 27

14

120

Fatal

5 5

8

—

18

45

Accidents

Fatal Non-

• .. ...

... 3

• .. • • •

TABLE I

...

The accidents studied are those

Cause

The difference in incidence be- It has not been easy to place every

It has not always been easy to

Summary of 165 Diving

which may have occurred either in helmet) divers have been intentionally EAR INJURIES • • • naval, commercial or recreational

Sickness involving 'Standard' (hard OTHER CAUSES .• • diving. Incidents of Decompression

PULMONARY BAROTRAUMA 4 Table I divides the cases in approp- 120 non-fatal. omitted. These have been reported ASPHYXIA proceeds. physical impossibility as, for ex- riate groups, there being 45 fatal and ANOXIA DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS — SHARK ATTACK ... tween the fatal and non-fatal cases planning, efficient safety organisation in a separate paper by Slark (1962). The non-fatal accidents owe their

Asphyxia OXYGEN POISONING ILLNESS IN WATER SYNCOPE AND COLLAPSE — is not as great as might be expected. ample, with loss of a mouth piece and alert comrades. of anoxia. Generally speaking, in survival for the most part to good

there is a combination of circum- separate cases of asphyxia from those case into tidy groups as frequently

stances which makes a decision asphyxia, breathing has become a difficult. Discrepancies will, how- ever, be explained as the narrative www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

24

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Although pure oxygen is not exten- The remaining non-fatal cases The lesson to be emphasized here

Some of the non-fatal cases occur-

very rapid onset of acute respiratory, enteritis and complained of dizziness pain in the chest and an X-ray which, with the added load of a breathing latter were very lucky not to vomit dived during an epidemic of gastro- whilst underwater, though they did and nausea underwater. Two of the ing to watch a man who has left thie, distress, occasional cyanosis, cough, set. In many cases it is, quite frighten water in this condition. There is a' Without adequate nursing, oxygen, soon after coming ashore. enter the water until he is completely sively used today except by naval frogmen and in cave divers, it has the advantage of giving prolonged shows scattered patches of dullness.' consisted of 3 epileptics and 3 who Oxygen Poisoning for a week or so even then. duration for the size of breathing to 25 feet, which, especially at night, red in men who were trying to see may be difficult to control. For and anti-biotics, these men become one intending to swim at 40 feet is that in no circumstances whatever upper respiratory tract infection apparatus. Its useful depth is limited acutely ill. cured and it might be wise to wait example, of the 5 fatal cases recorded, should any diver with evidence of drowned. gradually reached a depth of 84 gen. One, for example, convulsed stories are similar, except for one who was testing a new set in which diver had convulsions during his slow just how senstive they were to oxy-

where he had a convulsion. The other 25 % oxygen was breathed. After spending 11 minutes at 295 feet this ascent, lost his face-piece and

27

Four of the non-fatal cases had

paratus. He collapsed whilst trying

to climb out and fell back into the pulled away at this moment). He

water (his life-line was insecure and he died some hours later with a that equally important is illness. which man, to survive, must remain his efficiency can be disastrous. The bottom at a depth of 40 feet still closed circuit oxygen breathing ap- plete blocking of one of his coronary young man of 21 who felt ill in the was found about 2 hours later on the breathing with his set in position and, though he regained consciousness, pulmonary haemorrhage. Post pure oxygen at this depth indicates events described so far have been water soon after entering with a alert and fit. Anything which lessens water where the chances of recovery under this heading include 2 heart pected. He finally died whilst under- Just as acute medical emergencies occur on land, so will they occur in going therapeutic decompression. The other of particular interest was a mortem examination showed com- accidents, but experience has shown and 1 epilepsy. One of the heart decompression sickness was sus- are greatly lessened. The 5 fatal cases attacks occurred during the dive and arteries. His survival for so long on

attacks, 2 acute virus pneumonias the value of high pressure oxygen in pneumonia described are.very import- one died before leaving it and the other some hours later in hospital, the spread of respiratory infection. pneumonias. relatively fit before entering the water both with typical haemorrhagic coronary occlusion. The 2 cases of ant. There may well be changes in the Though these two patients were upper respiratory tract infection distribution of air and blood in the lungs during diving which encourage

which would lower resistance, par- ticularly in an underwater swimmer www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

In the 14 cases of anoxia in those

The underwater environment is an

party disappeared into a cafe for tea. running out of breathing mixture breathing set and the diver carried out none of the routine drill for He had no life-line, no attendants who survived, five resulted from before the end of the swim, one with well exhausted. He went into the obvious and simple safety pre- water alone while the rest of the friend an apparatus which was pretty This was a closed circuit oxygen ensuring there was oxygen in the bag. and the reserve flow was not switched on. His body was found much later. enough gas left to see them through, planned organisations gross human even the most elementary precau- cautions. a set which had previously been used and two who, thinking they had just didn't bother to go on to their nitrogen. These instances occur in experienced diver borrowed from a There can be no worse example than this of absolute failure to observe emergency supply. Even in the best same story, gross neglect of the most tions. Over and over again this is the errors occurs and there were 4 handling and labelling gas cylinders. bottles filled with air and one with case occurred when a completely in- ers entered the water with oxygen Until these mistakes can be made mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen

shocking examples, three where div- spite of the strictest regulations about absolutely impossible, diving with remainder were divers practising

without - breathing apparatus and hyperventilation prior to a strenuous cannot be considered however de- sirable. Of the remaining cases a faulty set accounted for one and the using the dangerous technique of underwater swim.

Illness in the Water adverse and sometimes hostile one in

26

Six non-fatal asphyxias are alive

The large number of deaths of Anoxia cases frequently result from

today because — in spite of their

ment in underwater objects, entry of on the neck with change of posture— difficulties which included entangle- faulty breathing tube connection and getting ashore. water into apparatus, flooding of a and currents and had no chance of they all had life-lines and stand-by surfaced a quarter of a mile from land worn out, with adverse winds breathing bag fails frequently due to suit through a broken face-glass, a painfully tight hood which pressed divers and attendants were alert and following hyperventilation and long

active. Anoxia closed circuit breathing apparatus where the oxygen content of the underwater swims, have not been practising free diving down to 33 on the surface, sank and disappeared. accounted for 5 of the 9 fatal cases. spear fishermen as a result of anoxia do not use breathing apparatus. One inexperienced use of closed or semi- cylinders becoming empty. This death, however, occurred in a diver one such dive he lost consciousness Here again adequate supervision included in this series as these men towed bottom search lost his marker buoy. He surfaced and was seen re- should have saved him. Another experienced diver working on a who, as part of his training, was tying a spare to his shoulder, but was feet following hyperventilation. After later found dead on the bottom. In this instance the diver surfaced, opened his mouth-piece cock to bottles. When he entered the water

to his mixture but forgot to open the atmosphere and closed his main main bottles. Another rather sad

again he changed the breathing cock www.mcdoa.org.uk in a pressure chamber after 31 unconsciousness had a fatal outcome, minutes on oxygen at 65 feet. the incidence in water is one in two. Return to air usually produces rapid Thus any person who loses con- recovery. Another had a convulsion sciousness in the water has a 50-50 after half and hour at 50 feet and chance of drowning. For this reason two more at 33 feet for 37 minutes alone special care must be paid to and 33 feet for 40 minutes. All these this apparently simple condition. are examples of the importance of Loss of consciousness is basically keeping within the recommended due to an inefficient supply of oxygen limits in spite of a personal belief that to the brain. Though many con- one can do better. Even the accepted ditions will produce this effect there limit of 25 feet is by no means 100 is invariably more than one pre- safe, as for example in a diver who disposing factor summation of which convulsed after 45 minutes hard will produce the unconsciousness. swimming at 20 feet. In this case When oxygen was widely used for the convulsion may have been aggrav- underwater swimming, episodes of ated by the fact that only a few hours unconsciousness were relatively com- previously he had already dived on mon particularly in men in the early air for 8 minutes at 180 feet. Such stages of training who were often a dive may indeed have produced frightened and always apprehensive. some basic store of oxygen in his Such apprehension produces hyper- tissues. ventilation which, by washing out carbon dioxide, renders the individual Whilst on the subject of oxygen most susceptible to fainting. Oxygen, poisoning, although interest in this too, has also been shown to lower field is lessening in the diving world, the syncope threshold. Other experience of this condition is be- factors which aggravate this and in- coming of great importance in crease the chance of loss of con- medical practice today. Hospitals sciousness are fatigue, exhaustion, are now using pressure chambers and hunger, ill-health, alcoholic hangover high pressure oxygen to treat certain increased intra pulmonary pressure illnesses particularly those resulting and emotional stress. Postural from regional anoxia. The know- changes in water, unlike those on ledge obtained from diving is proving land, are not effective and there is no of value. parallel in the underwater swimmer to the fainting seen on a parade ground on a hot day. Syncope and Collapse This trouble can largely be averted This is rather a hotch-potch of less by the knowledge of its existence and serious accidents. It will be seen that possible causes. It is certainly very there are no fatal, cases but 40 non- rare with air breathing apparatus fatal. These include those, cases though it has occurred with oxygen where there is complete loss of con- rich mixtures. Examples which do sciousness in the water from one occur are invariably associated with cause or another. In mishaps on gross exhaustion or stress. The land, little attention is paid to casual realisation that water is an adverse loss of consciousness and simple environment to be approached with fainting, but in water such may be a respect will also help. Coming to AMANDA BARRIE prelude to drowning. Indeed statis- terms with the environment is thus tics show that whereas on shore only the most important single prevent- Reproduced by kind permission of Rank Productions Ltd. and Bernard Bulletin one in a hundred accidents involving ative factor. 28 www.mcdoa.org.uk 29 www.mcdoa.org.uk Pulmonary Barotrauma in clearing the ears. So much so that One of the most devasting con- a considerable increase in intra- ditions which can effect man under- pulmonary pressure resulted with water results from rupture of lung possible lung damage. After the dive tissue liberating air into the cir- he developed acute pain in the feet Take culation, the pleural cavity or the and had the good fortune to be seen retrosternal interstituial spaces, of by one of his country's most know- Courage these three forms of pulmonary ledgeable specialists in underwater barotrauma, air embolism is by far medicine. A diagnosis of air em- the most serious. Bubbles of air may bolism of the dorsalis pedis artery block vessels of the cerebral or was made and there was immediate coronary circulation with rapidly response to pressure therapy. fatal results. In practice this may Accidents occurring during train- occur when the diver is ascending ing in submarine escape have not through the water having for some been included in this series. reason abandoned his breathing apparatus. Unless he is relaxed and Decompression Sickness allows free escape of expanding air In naval and commercial diving, from the lungs, an increase in intra- decompression sickness has for many alveolar membrane to rupture. Only years been an accepted hazard for immediate recompression can save which routines of treatment by re- life in severe cases. It is for this compression have been evolved and reason that the various Navies of the accepted. The introduction of the world who practice submarine escape self-contained breathing apparatus by free ascent in deep water tanks, has somewhat complicated the pic- install recompression chambers at the ture. The early sets produced did water's edge. This safeguard has not contain enough air to enable the been amply justified. There is, how- diver to remain in the water long ever, a growing tendency amongst enough at any depth to produce a civilian underwater organisations to risk of decompression sickness. In train their members in 'free ascent' recent years, however, the number of without immediate recompression cylinders used and their capacity has facilities being available. The four increased, so that it is now possible, fatalities reported under this heading in this type of diving, to be exposed were all undergoing such training in to the risk of decompression sickness. open water from depths of 60, 35, 34 This is particularly true where mul- and 20 feet respectively. In two of tiple dives are undertaken. This them no compression chambers were analysis does not include cases of available and for the other two the decompression sickness occurring in intervals before recompression could the standard (helmet) diver, but is be initiated were 13 and 20 minutes. confined to those with self-contained In the four non-fatal cases reported breathing apparatus or the light- one had an uncomplicated retros- weight surface demand equipment. ternal emphysema which cleared up One significant feature which with recompression. The second underlines the increasing number of case, ascending from 20 feet after these cases in recent years is the fact abandoning a faulty breathing appar- that when the first 100 diving °IP L'k\ aVerY a61 iii atus, experienced a brief loss of con- accidents of this series were tabulated P. You exchange them for cash NAAFI stamps can be cashed anywhere in sciousness, but recovered with evid- a year ago there were only 6 cases of the worldiYou can cash them quarterly—or save them up till you are ready ence of pneumothorax. The last was decompression sickness, whereas with quite unusual in that during a 25 feet the present 165 there are now 27 dive there was considerable difficulty cases. N.M. FORCES'OFFICIAL TRADING ORGANISATION www.mcdoa.org.uk 31 www.mcdoa.org.uk There is a lesson to be learnt from and 50 minutes at 40 feet. This self- There is, therefore, an outside pos- The seven non-fatal cases include every case and all show a failure to treatment which had little reason sibility of the diver having been two instances of 'squeeze', three use properly accepted decompression behind it naturally caused the decom- damaged by the screws of a motor- attributed to carbon-dioxide poison- tables. Many dives were excessive pression sickness to become very boat rather than by the teeth of a ing, one unknown and, finally, a rare in both time and depth. Others were much worse and widespread. He too shark. occasion where a diver in a sub- aggravated by exercise immediately had to be flown to a pressure mersible chamber at 1,000 feet sud- after the dive, or by delayed treat- chamber 5 hours away where he Ear Injuries denly breathed air and lost con- ment. The most common mistake, made a good recovery on adequate sciousness from nitrogen narcosis. however, was the assumption that treatment. Minor troubles with ears are very once a Bend had occurred, all that These are just typical examples of common and invariably due to Discussion was necessary would be to undergo failure to appreciate the importance catarrhal conditions. sometimes tem- The main headings under which the decompression schedule for the of adequate decompression for dives. porary, causing difficulty in clearing dive which had caused the Bend the various accidents have been Another aggravating fact which ap- the ears for changes in pressure. classified are more-or-less the ulti- rather than the therapeutic schedule pears from time to time is delay These are rarely reported and the as laid down in the special treatment mate cause of the accident, but of in treatment, when the condition is present series includes four where particular importance to the diver tables. Multiple dives too produced allowed to become intolerable before the cause of the ear injury was ten incidents in all of which no and those concerned with his welfare, help is sought. It is well known that essentially due to a badly fitting are the circumstances which are satisfactory routine seems to have the most minor cases of decom- rubber hood and inefficient ear pads. been adopted. It is indeed unfor- responsible for the final accident. A pression sickness will recover with Two were 'reversed ears' and one was study of individual case histories tunate that even today there are no rest and conservative treatment. temporary deafness following under- truly satisfactory tables for multiple make it possible to tabulate these Two cases, however, were reported water explosion. predisposing factors. dives and the only safe routines are where these minor bends became very time consuming. severe because the sufferers, far from Other Causes TABLE II Some of the more outstanding resting, spent the evening in dance From time to time cases occur Predisposing Factors in 165 Diving dives which have produced decom- halls 'twisting' their minor irritations which do not fall into any neat Accidents pression sickness may be mentioned: into Bends of some severity. Such classification and must be grouped Factor FatT1 Non- thoughtlessness not only aggravates together under 'Other Causes'. Of Fatal (i) Five dives to 60 and 65 feet the condition but invariably neces- with an average bottom time of 67 the two fatal cases, one was a diver INADEQUATE SAFETY sitates the personnel responsible for who was killed in an underwater PRECAUTIONS 25 minutes for which decompression treatment being called from their was carried out as if each was a explosion. He was diving contrary to INADEQUATE TRAINING ... 21 95 beds in the early hours of the morn- regulations and using a cutting torch, HAZARDOUS DIVING ... 14 18 single individual dive. This produced ing. In one case also an individual severe Bend and as there was no which was forbidden, in a compart- FAILURES OF APPARATUS 8 22 suffering from the aches and pains ment of a sunken ship. This com- ILLNESS IN THE WATER ... 5 11 chamber nearby, a helicopter flight of a mild 'flu, developed Bends even added to the patient's distress. partment contained trapped pockets PERSONAL FACTORS ... 2 31 though using the correct diving of air and a water surface thick with (ii) three 12 minute dives to 115 schedule and two others developed fuel oil. The inevitable explosion Inadequate Safety Precautions feet trying to salvage a slinken motor Bends in joints which had been killed the diver instantly. It was only injured during the actual dive. This applies solely in this context car. No decompression stops at all subsequently suspected that the reas- to the ability to remove a diver from were used and a serious Bend in- Shark Attack on for his irregular diving practice the water should he become in volving the central nervous system was the cutting away of valuable difficulties and implies primarily, developed after a delay of 3 hours. Three fatal shark attacks have been brass from the wreck for his own adequate supervision and attendance This dive elicited a comment from reported. It is generally believed that profit. The other fatal accident had and the use of a life-line or 'buddy% the expert called in for treatment that sharks do not attack divers under- also some connection with an ex- line. Absent or insecure life-lines, `Such a haphazard dive deserved water wearing dark suits and indeed plosion in that the diver was con- contrary to orders, account for six legal action'. the cases reported had in fact been cerned with underwater blasting, of these fatalities. Absence of life- wearing swimming trunks alone. losing consciousness shortly after a line or adequate attendance was not (iii) Dives to 66 feet of 3i, 2i and One of the cases was reported from second dive, with paralysis of all a prime factor in non-fatal cases. 14 hours. The first of these would the Mediterranean where the shark limbs and death some weeks later. have been a good day's work but menace has always been regarded as The direct connection between his Inadequate Training after the third when the diver had non-existent. No witness were work and dive is purely speculation, Quite frequently the would-be developed a Bend he went into the present at the incident and the evi- but underwater blast injuries very diver does not appreciate the re- water again for 30 minutes at 70 feet dence is entirely circumstantial. often produce a delayed affect. strictions of the new environment 32 www.mcdoa.org.uk 33 however tedious, time consuming or

no doubt whatever that strict adher- M.R.C. Report U.P.S. 215. rate by at least 75 %. Provision of portant as is the maintenance of good single lesson which is apparent is that ence to them will reduce the accident health. Attention to all the conditions essential. irksome be the rules and regulations adequate communication and con- tact with the diver is at all times essen- associated with the dive is absolutely in the best training manuals, there is tial. Personal selection is also im- Reference : SLARK, A. G. (1962). Treatment of 137 cases of Decompression Sickness.

35

by

For this

Indian Navy

My Solent Swim

MARTIS,

I came to England in May

LT.

HEN

this year I was seriously con-

sidering an attempt to swim

Much can be learnt from the study

The ideal conditions for the prac-

Fortunately these are usually appar- hungry or over-fed, or when suffering

factors are of the utmost significance. remain, however, there may be forbidden to continue with under- ent during the training period when following extreme exhaustion when water activity. Amongst those who of accidents which can increase the These individuals can be advised or after over-indulgence in alcohol, supervision is more or less absolute. lapses from time to time and dives from some anxiety or emotional W stress may produce casualities. Conclusion safety of diving as a whole. One but more important, a great deal of the English Channel. of practice in long distance swimming

attempt I needed to do a great deal of the water around England is much Lake could be considered as part of warm country and the temperature acclimatization, as I come from a with the most difficult phase of my nearly equalled the conditions in the colder than I am accustomed to. I could not start my practice until mid- my work-up. I was quite confident Clearance Diving Course, however, about my endurance but more than the daily swim off Horsea Island tice would have been those which July because I was kept fully occupied a little concerned about the low temperature of the English waters. English Channel. The experienced www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Breathing apparatus is as im-

To be safe underwater demands a

Though being primarily respon-

routines for multiple dives are so

time consuming that many divers find them unacceptable. Where hazards to diving are known they should be

avoided and if this is impossible,

safety precautions and supervision portant to the diver as the aircraft to should be intensified. Failure of Apparatus

a flier and should be maintained with the same care. It may be wise to make the maintenance of the apar-

who uses it. Exhaustion of the set is the frequent cause of failure. This may be due to sets being previously atus the responsibility of the diver

used without checking or lack of

have come adrift underwater. Ex- wrongly assembled and conexions attention to time and pressure. Occasionally apparatus has been

amples of human error are well

illustrated in 4 cases, luckily none fatal, in three of which oxygen biggest single problem in the whole of

cylinders were filled with air and a fourth with nitrogen. Perhaps the

diving is the need to eliminate human

error.

Illness in the Water high degree of physical fitness and

good health. Circumstances may emergency or the reluctance to miss arise where the need to dive in an

who is unfit to go underwater. There minor degrees of sickness, parti- is ample evidence to show that even an opportunity may cause a person

cularly infection of the respiratory more accident prone, but are them-

system, do not make the individual tion to good health is therefore of the selves worsened by the dive. Atten-

greatest importance. Personal Factors

sible in two fatal cases only, personal

34

Training is of the greatest im-

The very nature of diving must

and his enthusiasm may outweigh

discretion. This plays a very big part in the causation of accidents. Failure to carry out the accepted routines which are recommended in all re- putable organisations is the com-

monest cause of accidents. Inability to deal safely with a flooded face drowning. Faulty use of oxygen is mask in the beginner may result in

sion sickness can be treated with a the special therapeutic routines. portance; it must be individual, another danger. Where decompres-

simple diving schedule rather than patient and never rushed. The sea

must be regarded as an unfriendly

environment to be treated with respect at all times. There are many

men excellent in other ways who are temperamentally unsuited to become

be taken to ensure that when they divers. They should never be en- couraged to do so and care should

are released from diving training this

is accompanied by no personal stigma. Hazardous Diving

produce some degree of hazard.

The more experienced the diver the more ready he will be to deal with

with underwater obstructions ac-

such difficulties. Becoming entangled counted for 3 of the 14 deaths and 4 were lost exploring inland under- water caves, a hazardous practice at

the best of times needing extreme

pression sickness even if correct water may also occur, these are

skill and caution. Injuries in the likely to produce incidents of decom- that many breathing sets limit the schedules have been used. The fact recharge cylinders and doing many depth and time underwater, leads to

a practice of surfacing to change or dives during a single day. This is

pression sickness and the available

a very frequent cause of decom- launch

Vernon

At about 1500 I was very numb

It was slack water period and my

The weather conditions for the swim

the last I remember. When I came progress was almost nil. That was Pier. The depth of water was about

been for the strong tide, but my from the shore to the East of Ryde could have walked ashore had it not the rate, of the tide, I continued to five feet, the bottom sandy and I with cold and only about 200 yards the swim again and besides I would on the verge of giving up but I knew As long as my speed was more than swim. the tide had by then began to flood that if I did I would never attempt disappoint many including myself. the direction of Southampton. In very slow and many a time I was progress was fairly good. At about order to keep my progress in the direction of Ryde pier I had to swim feel very cold and to make it worse and I was drifting with the tide in 1230 when I was about halfway be- against the tide. My progress was tween Southsea and Ryde I began to for a good swim. boat, which gave me every confidence

hours the sun was bright and warm,

my favour and during the first two member of the club as time-keeper, couragement from the children in the official basis I had joined the Solent and I was getting the best of en- protect my body against this cold. life-guard and invigilator. manned by my course officer Lt. C. L. Lawrence, M.B.E., his wife and which later turned to brighter sun- Swimming Club and they sent a were excellent, sea flat calm with neap tides, a slight early morning mist shine. Everything seemed to be in I set out from Southsea at 1030 accompanied by a family. To put this swim on an 60° F., here again I used tallow to

The temperature of the water was

distance of about 10 nautical miles.

37

To

Everyone

Vernon.

My next practice was held on I was very disappointed with my

At about 1400 I began to shiver, I

I was fortunate to receive maxi-

Ryde, Isle of Wight and back, a total

Lumbard acted as life-guard in turn. insistant. During my 10th lap I Saturday 25th July. This time I but unfortunately it became more failure but comforted myself by realized that I had to give up the wanted to swim from Southsea to 1630. By then my body had become wishing better luck next time. hoped it would subside after a while, It needed a great deal of patience on

had completed five lengths of the very numb with the cold. I must have attempt. Somehow I managed to swim as my stomach was full of it. experience pain in my stomach, I throughout the swim my speed was lake. My, progress was slow but swallowed a lot of air during the complete my 10th and got ashore at their part to row up and down the steady. A little later I began to water was 62° F. Lt. G. A. M. lake in a dinghy. protect my body against the cold Wookey, M.B.E. and Sub.-Lt. A. G. to swim 40 lengths of the Lake which water I covered myself completely with tallow. I commenced the swim at 1130. The temperature of the is about 22 nautical miles. test in Horsea Lake. I was required required to prove my endurance.

Ryde, Isle of Wight would be almost practicing in the open sea I was Sunday the 19th July was set for my mum support and encouragement tide conditions are similar. from H.M.S. venture as I was; but before I started Swimming Club, Portsmouth con- and that the water temperature and equal to the swim across the Channel, sidered that three laps of continuous swimming between Southsea and seemed to be as interested in the

long distance swimmers in the Solent www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Telephone Harwich 2281

Telephone 23535

36

If you would

Through BERNARDS

Over very many years Bernards have developed an unrivalled

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1211•10a1

• the

NEMO.

Drake

*

team when we

*

*

Shoulton's

In the store in H.M.S.- Seen near a school, a safety-first

Congratulations to our wives, all A Spanish fishing boat fired a

teacher'.

poster: 'DRIVERS TAKE CARE—SCHOOL — DO NOT KILL A CHILD'. Beneath, in

being quite interesting. The jumbo team has started a trophy wall con- taining mementos of operations and runs ashore, the history of items of whom have presented us with childish scrawl, was 'wait for a Miss Mac, whom many of us know, I might say. H.M.S. were working with them off Brixham, bonny babies, and to those who have distress flare when the engine broke would like to express our appreciat- why, I can't think! down. The rocket fell back and blew they have a monolopy in sharks refreshing themselves at the 'George' namely the one-man pot. Whatever with all they can eat. No mean task ion and admiration for the way in comb for example, was presented by left us to become C.D.I's. Our best the case, on return to the temperance, which she mothers all of us and wishes to Bill Crimmons in his sank. moves to Loch Fyne where the con- ditions are not always pleasant but a hole in the boat which promptly should join us there, where sharks supplies the trenchermen in the team future career. diving is always possible, and those in the Far East Team, who think that an evening the team may be found if not there, then probably one of us is languishing in our torture chamber, and seals abound, as well of course, is there with a welcome, and we as other slightly more edible fish. Of

39

The first diver

using a mine sweep, after a

Rothesay.

using the 4i plaited nylon,

The wreck was located by A.S.V.

The second waiter went pale and To maintain an operational depth A top Soviet atom-scientist, stay-

Barglow,

Wessex Helicopter ditched in 240 feet of water, in a tideway, with a considerable swell running. H.M.S. went down and confirmed the con- tact was the Wessex. No signals practice is required and regularly he was pulled to the surface after money like water. A waiter turned to his colleague and said : 'That Russki tomorrow'. thing ?' peutic Table 1 (Table 5 and part A) Barglow pressing the Americans by spending He was put on Therapeutic Table 2 recovery device was lowered down of 250 feet a considerable amount of likely target had been found by fourteen minutes and put on Thera- feet to the barboats mains. Unfor- tunately the tail-plane snapped on like the world was going to end on. No signals could be got through said: 'Do you think he knows some- could be got through to the diver so device. The third diver secured the the messenger and the last diver checked it. The wreck was lifted by once a month, the team packs up and and male portion of the recovering the weight being transferred at 20 ing at a New York hotel, was im- atom-man is getting rid of his dough second diver took down the strop tionary measure. The cone end of the as a precautionary measure. The the initial lift and was never recovered surface after 20 minutes in the water. strop to the roter head and hooked and the diver was pulled to the (Table 5 and part B) as a precau- www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

LT. C. L. LAWRENCE

Lt. Matis actually touched bottom

His endurance and determination

The team dives from two medium

The team has carried out many

Section. I tried hard but I did not

succeed. Maybe I need to try harder. to the Eastward of Ryde Pier but he people were standing in the water By

could not be persuaded to walk; two what they were saying. It was then that I realized his mind was a blank, he could stand, but was still throwing

alongside him but he did not under- stand who was talking to him or his arms above his head as though he were swimming, and even after and we assisted him into the launch; laying on the deck — covered with

as much clothing that could be

found — he still lashed out with his arms as though he was in the water. was of a very high order and full

marks should be given for a very

beaten by the cold of our waters. gallant attempt, but I think he was

there. deep water, have spent little time

gemini craft and a small gemini as operator and assistant. The second safety boat. The working gemini contains all diving equipment, panel pression chamber is always situated gemini has the standby diver and

attendants. The supervisor is in the within two minutes by safety gemini

safety boat. The one-man recom-

from the diving gemini either on a suitable ship or on the shore. multitude of other jobs required of

most interesting operation was per- haps, the successful salvage of a jobs over 30 fathoms as well as the any Clearance Diving Team. The

38

where

with in-

Vernon

but since then

Vernon

The Birth of a Team

Drake

pier, time 1630. I must have

and the staff of the Diving

N the 15th February, 1962

seven men were gathered to-

gether to form, what was to be-

Later I learnt from Lt. Lawrence

He was quite disappointed when he

I am indebted to all those who

During the first year of life the

It was on the 1st April, 1963 that

too I was in an ambulance at been unconcsious for nearly an hour. Vernon Bay where they gave me heat treat- I was taken to R.N. Barrack's Sick ment for about half an hour then

East of Ryde Pier, he noticed that sent me back to structions to take a complete rest. that when I was near the shore to the my behaviour was rather peculiar realized that I could not swim the he threw a rope's end, which I am told I refused to hold. and I was drifting fast with the tide,

remaining 200 yards, let alone the

pick me up. return journey to Southsea. But he was left with no alternative but to

particularly the Captain of H.M.S. took keen interest in my venture,

Vernon

Plymouth Emergency Deep Diving

come after many changes, the team lived at H.M.S. Team.

all the preliminary trials to 250 feet period that the team stood by on were carried out. It was during this

on screw changes. free ascent trials in the Mediterranean carried out several interesting jobs in Scotland, and not the least of their achievements was the excellent work

the team moved to its permanent

home in H.M.S.

due to pressure of work and lack of The gear

Two factors now presented them-

Klaus was beginning to get pressed

normal, so he was given stops at 30, his descent. Suddenly, at 140 feet, having been prepared, checked and he reported he had no air, at the from 130 lb. to 75 lb. By this time he was treated for a minor squeeze.

visor reported a drop in pressure Chief Diver, was dressed and started into his breastplate and to avoid At 100 feet the pump returned to 20 and 10 feet. On reaching surface out the job in S.C.U.B.A. neces- same time as the compressor super- selves, first, the compressor required any serious injury he was brought up. complete overhaul; second, to carry

about preparing their Mark V gear calibrated, J. S. Klaus, Telford's the deepest they could use their reduce the depth to 175 feet. The S.C.U.B.A. — single 72 cubic feet (Standard equivalent). as their normal maximum, they set sitated pumping out the quary to cylinders — was 202 feet, with 175

41

His com-

Death Lies at 43 Fathoms

A boy of 16, diving to. 180 feet in On arrival at the scene, the

on Sunday 18th August 1963 The Telford Unit received imed-

when Captain Henry Suida, T was approaching mid - day

Mountain Control Centre, Wind received a telephone call from Blue

briefed as follows:— panion, aged 17, tried to bring him iate recall, when mustered they were eventually slipped from his rescuer's quarry went down in 40 feet ledges to Gap, Pennsylvania, reporting on a to the surface. However the un- grasp. into difficulties, losing his regulator Telford Diving Unit found that the an unfamiliar quarry lake, had got losing consciousness. conscious lad was far too heavy and that depth being 200 square feet. As I drowning. a depth of 257 feet, with the area at Chief of the Telford Diving Unit, (demand valve) and subsequently www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Bursledon 780

EMERGENCY

SERVICE

CRAFT

AVAILABLE

RADAR, COMPRESSORS FITTED WITH

ECHO SOUNDING 24 HR. SERVICE ETC.

40

CABLES

56578

WORKS

TELEPHONES

ROYLEWSALV

SOUTHAMPTON

SOUTHAMPTON

UNDERWATER TELEVISION

15, 16 & 17 ST. MARY'S STREET

28106

OFFICE

DIVING CONTRACTORS

WORK CARRIED OUT IN

CONROY LEWIS LTD

SURVEYS

CUTTING WELDING CONSTRUCTION

BLASTING

MAINTENANCE DEMOLITION ANY PART OF THE WORLD In the process, the leads from his

This article has been condensed

Another amusing job was the

It is hard to know where to start

remained secured to his life-line.

By the time he had freed himself his DIMOND SMITH, D.I./C. go of the body, which fortunately to free ascent from 80 feet. The body, he found himself being pulled down. brought to the surface. The following quarry. By 2240 the last piece was loaded and the Unit once more from the original treatise by, S. yet another job had been well done. day was spent in dismantling the dispersed to their homes, feeling that almost run out, he was forced to let equipment and removing it from the electric torch fouled on the body and air had completely run out and he had secured to the lifeline, was then

Henley's compound held in place by

the sea water pressure. Mombasa and Aden. The U.K.

have a regular monthly job on the port rudder where the removeable or the article will never be finished, successful recovery of a sailmaker's Singapore. Sorry, no more on this, sewing machine at the Naval Base, Chief results, apart from the training when describing our `Exped' exploits. except to say that the machine still the Wardroom, and catching more works! Besides bottom searches we good excuse for a dive. fish for Sub-Lieut. K. F. Crumplin's 26 tropical fish from 12 different colourful species, caught in Singapore a not very important item, but a aspect are the supply of crayfish to fish tank. His 40-gallon tank holds section tries hard to remove itself —

43

Diving Officers.

propeller to the

"CENTAUR'S" DIVING

Centaur's

Tiderreach's HEN is the next diving trip ?'

to

is the constant question put

Having reached 75 feet with his air the bottom and 18i hours on decom-

that was recovered was a length of

While securing the line his buddy ran out of air and surfaced on his water torch. By this time the water made for the surface, struggling hard. left surface, and swimming a few placed the body between his legs and two minute emergency. Dalrymple compression. After all this effort all feet. Now it was time for the S.C.U.B.A. divers to take over. line and the drowned boy's under- The first two divers were selected, disturb the mud, they started their and called for slack on his life-line. search. After six minutes Dalrymple located the body on a steep incline level was down to 173 feet and on Tuesday 10th at 1730, down to 159 feet above the bottom so as not to

up 9,186 minutes for the four months The 24 qualified divers have clocked R.F.A. ended 15th June, 1964, an impressive to be completely renewed. This task

total for an operational carrier. The greater part has been `Exped' diving, most interesting was the sealing of was carried out in a force 4 to 5 wind hull to enable the stern gland packing in Aden Roads, and to put it mildly the attendant motor cutter broke although the team has successfully was exciting diving, particularly when four hours of hammering steam being violently sick. The job took carried out a number of tasks. The The R.F.A. crew at the time were

loose and threatened to overturn. gland packing into the gaps, placing wooden bungs in the inspection holes

and final sealing by the liberal use of www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Two men,

The first diver in the Navy Mark

diving once more. Dalyrmple and Godown, made the bottom they found heavy silt, jagged freezing water. When they reached touched, the stirred-up silt made

initial dive in S.C.U.B.A. into the from leaving surface, they were

visibility zero. After eight minutes slate and mud. As soon as it was out decompression stops on the way.

given the signal to surface, carrying

V gear, with all his 215 lb. of equip- ment was then prepared, and at mid-

day entered the water. Once on the

bottom he settled down on his hands

20 minutes after leaving surface he rest of the day and on the 3rd, 4th, began his ascent, taking 40 minutes S.C.U.B.A. divers to keep him warm. search controlled from the surface. 5th, 6th and 7th September, during he was constantly massaged by Standard divers were used for the and knees to do the job by feel, his for his decompression, during which

which time 9i hours were spent on

42

With underwater closed

Arriving at 0900 on Sunday they

On Tuesday a unit from the U.S.

Upon which the local authorities

power supply at the site initially prohibited this. On Monday morn-

expense of the latter and the lack of

in pairs searched the ledges to 150 feet, then swimming at that depth towed magnets and grapnels. By nothing. other than the loss of bottom — so operations were ceased ing, therefore, the S.C.U.B.A. divers until the following Sunday.

several grapnels — fouled on the

0100 on Tuesday they had achieved found to their delight that prepar- the quarry, but also that the Federal Government was going to take over

ations were being made to pump out when the depth was reduced to

200 feet. However, In the mean- grapnels and magnets until Monday time, the Unit carried on with' towing night when, still without success, they returned to Telford.

pletely. Navy arrived and took over com- pin-point the body, then grapnel for

circuit T.V. camera's they hoped to to 216 feet but the exposed sides of

ous signs of caving in. At this stage it. By Thursday the level was down the quary were now showing danger-

not justify the hazards and difficulties

whole thing off. the Navy decided that the end did of the operation, so they called the had been thoroughly overhauled and the equipment checked; and on Saturday 31st August, preparations again. By this time the compressors were made for Deep Diving. A called in the Telford Unit once compressor and other equipment, maintain suction. For this, heavy

jetty had to be made to take the earth movers were employed to and the pumps had to be lowered to

At 0930 Sunday with the depth now gouge a piece out of the side of the quarry. By midnight all was ready.

at 207 feet the Unit commenced www.mcdoa.org.uk tele-watchers are happy again — THE PEACEFUL DEEP they sit around watching the fish in full glorious colour, but no sound ! ULL fathoms ten the colours The ship has been fortunate F change enough to borrow M.F.V's at Singa- From richer hues to dull toned pore and Hong Kong for diving trips of up to four days duration. These greys. have been very popular and good Yet, beneath the surface still there diving conditions have been found lies, near Raffles Lighthouse, Singapore, and Lung Shun Wan Hoi (Rocky Beyond the tempest of earthly ties, Harbour to you) on the east side of A peace of mind undisturbed, the New Territories, Hong Kong. 'Cept by noise of a fishy herd. The problem of the supply of h.p. air has been solved by borrowing air This solemn peace is more profound bottles from the Flight Deck Engin- Than that upon the ground is found. eers which with care can give five Swept to and fro in the briny deep S.A.B.A. recharges per bottle. Div- Softer than the deepest sleep, ing was also found good at Pulau Tioman and Subic Cay, but Changi, Goes shadows bold drifting, cold and Singapore was a failure apart from grey. providing a service to the local police The diver plunges down to ask, by recovering the bodies of two drowned children. Garbed in rubber suit and casque, Future diving prospects are un- What mysteries here can be released BRICKWOODS kn own, but we are unlikely to find From this peaceful, ocean deep. such a good spot for crayfish as J.H. Mombasa. GOLF FOOTBALL SQUASH HOCKEY FENCING

Tel. PORTSMOUTH 20611 FISHING CRICKET EXTRACT'S Sportsmen shop at Story of a Life by KONSTANTIN PAUSTOVSKY (Harvil) INDOOR BOXING GAMES Uncle Yusia . . . was sent to top of it, and it was clumsily kicking THE SOUTHERN Moscow to do guard duty during the out at them with its enormous BOWLING coronation of Nicholas II. His leaden boots. One of the soldiers squeezed a ribbed rubber tube near WEIGHT SPORTS particular outfit was on duty on the quay of the Moskva outside the the copper head, and the monster, TRAINING Kremlin. giving a hoarse rattle ceased to SHOP CAMPING resist. My Uncle realised that the Early on the morning of the monster was a diver and shouted at ATHLETICS Personal attention coronation he saw his men rushing the soldier, but by the time they had 48 ELM GROVE FIRE ARMS down to the river bank where a from unscrewed the helmet the diver was violent scuffle had broken out. dead. Peter Anderson SOUTHSEA Clutching his sword, he hurried after JUDO Neither my Uncle nor his men had Ken Edwards HANTS TENNIS them. been warned that divers from A terrifying creature with a copper Kronstadt were that morning search- ing the bed of the river for terrorist's BADMINTON RUGBY UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT head was rolling about in the mud, entangled in tubing. The soldiers bombs. After this incident Uncle had knocked it down and piled oh Yusia was discharged from the army. 44 www.mcdoa.org.uk 45 trials

Vehicle

fisheries

Westons Westons

submarine equipment

Remarks

man

buoyancy ment trials ation for power U./W. 1,500 lbs. 1965 tember 1st 1964 special equip- for crew (2) sengers

systems tract work. cable to surface verted Trieste I

marine Research

Undergoing sea Experimental Uses Hexane for On lease to In design phase

Can carry 40 pas- Currently on sea Sea tests Bathyscapth, con- Research on

Launch date, Sep- Converted Sub- Little known Completion early

Archaelogy explor- On lease to Can carry 1,000- Used to evaluate Similar to Sports- Requires single Can carry 400 lbs.

450 lbs. allowed

For charter or con-

2

9 7

5 5 2 9 5

1 6

......

46

— 10 . 16

75 15 35

.

2 3 1.6 3 1 1 950

210 1 160

1

11

1,500

Weight

(Tons)

150

600 600 600 200 600 600 650

300

300

6,000 2,000 1,000 2,000

1,000

1,000

2,000

Max.

Oper- ating

(Feet)

Depth

20,000

20,000

36,000 15,000

12,000 35,000

Woods

47

Industries,

Station, China Lake

Builder I Owner

Inc. Autonetics Div. China Lake U.S. Navy

Hole, Oceano Lake

Japan

•

U.S.N. Ordnance Test Stn.

A. & J. Picard and U.S. Navy North American Aviation,

Portsmouth Navy Yard for U.S.N. Ordnance Test French Navy U.S.N. Ordnance, China Perry Submarine Builders Litton Lear Siegler, Inc. U.S.S.R. American Sub. Co. Univ. of Pa. Perry Submarine Builders French Navy Westinghouse Elec. Capt. J. Cousteau (French) G.D. Electric Boat Swiss Exploration American Submarine Co. Shin Mitsubishi Shipyard, G.D./Electric Reynolds Int. Hydrotech Co.

Japanese Fisheries

—555

Sub.

Vehicle

The following is a comprehensive list of underwater vehicles throughout

Model 600

D.R.V.

Dolphin A.S.G.G. Moray T.V.-1A. Beaver Deep Star Under Design :— F.N.R.S. — 3. American Auguste Piccard Denise Under Construction:— Kuroshio Ashers Cubmarine P.C. 3B. Deep Jeep Yomjuri Benthos V. Trieste II. Cubmarine P.C. 3X Sportsman Alvin Severyanka Star I the World. Aluminaut Archimedes Submaray www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Conventional ballast tanks are

One of the unfortunate by-prod-

It is of interest to note that the

vented when submerging and the vessel takes on negative buoyancy and begins to submerge on an even keel

programmed depth unaided, but

at the rate of 3 ft. per second. It is designed to reach equilibrium at the be obtained by vertical propulsion. ascent or descent from 500 to 1,000 feet above and below this depth can On completion of the dive, shot ball-

ast is jettisoned and the vessel ballast tanks can be blown to obtain assumes positive buoyancy', using ascent if necessary. At the surface,

maximum buoyancy. In the event of keel can be jettisoned for rapid

an emergency a 4,4001b droppable

ascent. ducts of our space age research is the frontiers to conquer. This is of

general illusion that we have no new of the surface of the earth we live on course quite untrue. Three quarters `bottoms' of the oceans. The liquid is virtually unexplored, unknown, the moon than we do about the

and ignored. We know more about rewards. challenging as outer space and almost Swiss, the French and also the Japan- certain to bring greater economic space of our planet is as equally ploration of depth. It is also sad to ese are actively progressing the ex- note that the U.K. have not yet of the fact that historically we are a entered the exploration race in spite

seafaring nation.

. verticle propulsion to assist in the

46

Exploration

Deep Sea Research and

scientific laboratory sub-

g

ny day now the world's first deep

marine will start its three mile divin

There is no doubt that the 'Alum-

The construction of the `Alumin-

The `Aluminaut' is designed to be

Ocean. The `Aluminaut' which is the deep diving research and exploratory journey into the depths of the Atlantic

before and almost twice as deep as of 15,000 feet. This is many times A submarine designed and built by in- dustry in America has a diving depth where the remains of 'Thresher' lie. It navigational and oceanographic deeper than any submarine has been

will be fitted with the most modern navigation around the peaks and equipment. Sonar will be used for

High powered lights are fitted for ob- mountains that line the ocean floor.

will record oceanographic data. servation, photography and televis- up bottom samples and instruments ion. Remote manipulators will pick

play a key role in man's efforts to

inaut' is only the forerunner of fleets of deep sea research submarines farm the sea, mine it, and harness its in the future. It will most certainly energies.

forged aluminium cyclinders each 40 inches long and 97 inches in dia- performance allows it to explore the aut' is unique. It is an assembly of meter, fitted with end pieces. It has

a safe diving depth of 15,000 ft., a self propelled range of 80 miles and a 32 hour routine diving time. This very bottom of 60 % of the ocean

areas of the world. towed to its operational site by a depot ship which will maintain it on

site. work done.

The Establishment was constituted

(3) To maintain records of the

Arms Experimental Wing was formed known as the 'School of Musketry'. ment of the Enfield rifle, a Small Arms. In 1938 a Joint Services con- War 1854, which saw the develop- Even in those days trials were under- ference was held and decided to form to all Clearance Divers) and was taken, as the first commandant, a Colonel G. C. Hay received a warn- History instruction of detachments under his correctly, that history often repeats itself. Shortly after the Crimean at Hythe to carry out trials of Small command; this would seem to prove, in 1853 at Hythe in Kent (well known ing not to let trials interfere with the if my diving memories serve me

49

I

"The Lone Ranger"—alias the Venerable Mr. Mac

"THE LONE RANGER"

orates of Armaments.

nition for the Service Inspect- To provide experimental range ment. To prove weapons and ammu-

facilities for weapon develop-

AVING retired from the R.N. on 20th September 1963,

joined the Civil Service as an

(2)

(1)

Inspector of Naval Ordnance on 18th November 1963. In June 1964 whilst undergoing training for an Inspector of Naval Ordnance I received a

Defence and Experimental Estab- Establishment and an even briefer `pier head jump', and was seconded lishment at Pendine, Carmarthen- for duty with the Ministry of H lowing is a brief history 'of the

shire, on 16th June 1964. The fol- summary of the work executed there. Functions of the Establishment www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

WILLIAMS.

P.

MR.

Santos

L.S. Lewis

A.B. Bennett A.B. Woonough A.B. Wilson A.B. Clark A.B. Rhodes A.B. Denton A.B. Elder A.B. Pert

A.B. Gomez

A.B. Ribiero A.B.

I have recently heard talk about a

The Constant Volume suit as you

To C.D.*

Portuguese C.D.:

distinction between this and air the blood from the lungs, which are were formed in the blood. The embolism — where bubbles get into

damaged by failing to breath out severe case of Bends in which bubbles but the basic treatment for both is during ascent — is difficult to make when first confronted with a case,

immediate recompression. Sir, please tell me if this suit is an adapted `constant volume suit', could you Mark 1, or something different ? rubberized fabric, and undersuits. pressure equal to that of the water. these prevent air pockets, etc. The Incorporated in the suit are five non-return valves — one in hood, Yves Cousteau, and his team. The his nose into the suit thus keeping the two on either ankles and forearms— suit consists of a tight coverall of diver as he descends blows through pressed air breathing apparatus. describe was designed by Jacques- The hood is designed with a detach- able front glass and mouth-piece

connection, suitable for any com- This suit has many advantages in- cluding warmth.

48

Promotions and Advancements

P.O. C. E. B. Smith P.O. R. Lees L.S. R. Frazer L.S. G. R. Jordon L.S. D. E. Hodge L.S. D. Vaughan

Firstly, what percentage of cigar-

Two questions mainly connected

In answer to the above questions:

Second : 'Explosive Decompres-

To C.D.II

Your Questions Answered ette smoke is carbon monoxide and with the medical side of diving: from his lungs by deep breathing at what depth would the carbon mon- if a diver failed to clear the smoke oxide effect his reactions. The other question refers to an article published

First, the traces of carbon monoxide decompression, would you please guishing the cigarette before diving, in another diving magazine. This article reported a case of explosive explain this ? through them, and thus after extin- pressed air used by the diver, in no Co is left in the lungs to exert a which are present in cigarette smoke lungs is bound to the blood passing

are of no immediate danger to divers. Any Co breathed into the toxic effect at depth. The danger quantities possibly insufficient to be toxic on the surface but which exert rapid release of pressure. In this case exists when Co is present in the com- a coal-gas effect under pressure. sion' is a term used to denote a very

it would appear that there was a

www.mcdoa.org.uk an Inter-Services Small Arms Estab- (2) Pyrotechnics and Grenades. lishment and this was opened at Foulness as a Ministry of Supply (3) Static and Dynamic Proof of Establishment early in 1940. With Guided Weapon Warheads. the threat of invasion imminent the Establishment moved to Pendine in Trials June 1940 and during the War Experimental Firings and Tests of undertook firings of larger calibre Weapons, Equipment and Ammu- weapons and unguided rockets there- nition on behalf of the Ordnance by relieving some of the pressure on Board, the Three Armed Services and the Artillery Experimental Estab- the Ministry of Aviation, the Director lishment at Shoeburyness. In 1948 of the Royal Armament Research Pendine became an experimental and Development Establishment range for all kinds of weapons no (Fort Halstead), the Royal Aircraft longer being restricted to Small Arms Establishment (Farnborough) and work. The military staff which had Civilian firms covering the following originally been mainly recruited from field :— the Small Arms School Corps, was now augmented by the Royal Art- (1) All Small Arms, Artillery illery and other corps. In June 1961 Equipment up to 120 milli- the coming of age of the move to metres, Mortars and Infantry Pendine was celebrated and in those Anti-Tank Weapons. 21 years the scope of the Establish- (2) Static and Dynamic tests of ment has increased beyond the unguided Rocket Mortors, widest imagination of the founder Heads and Fuzes. members. (3) Static tests of Guided Weapon Warheads and Components. Firing Ranges There are at present 27 firing Location ranges, many of these with permanent buildings and ample instrumentation The Establishment is situated on the North side of Carmarthen Bay. facilities. Included in these ranges The diver is wearing an Under- It is 18 miles from Carmarthen town Dunlop have for many years produced are the Long Test Track (3,000 feet) and nine miles from the nearest water Swimmer's Dress made and the Short Trest Tack (660 feet). from rubber-proofed crimped railway station at Whitland. The various types of underwater equipment The two test tracks are used mainly knitted nylon, and is using for testing guided missile com- land area consists of a strip of coast SABA (Swimmer's Air Breath- line some six miles in length and ponents in simulated flight and for ing Apparatus). for the Admiralty, playing a leading part about half a mile wide. Most of the miscellaneous trials, as for example The suit is manufactured by testing aircraft ejection seats. area is composed of sand dunes, or Dunlop General Rubber Goods in the design and development of marshy land with a foreshore strip Division of Manchester, and of firm sand drying out to widths of apparatus for different specialized the breathing equipment by Present Activities between half and one mile at low Dunlop Aviation Division of tide. It is an ideal place for carrying Coventry. branches of underwater operations. Work undertaken at Pendine can out beach assault training, so, how be summarised as follows:— about a visit as a change from Proof Firings carried out on behalf Hythe! of the Inspectorate of Armaments Pendine Sands gained fame in the DUNLOP and the Naval Ordnance Inspect- `Roaring Twenties' as a motor racing ion. track, and even I as a 'wee' boy in the (1) Ammunition Proof up to 120 far Northlands of God's own country

CFH/AV/24 millimetres. Mortars and (Scotland) knew and read about Anti-Tank Weapons. Pendine Sands. Between the years 50 www.mcdoa.org.uk 51 After

Iveston

Operating

*

*

the Naval Wire-

*

*

the wreck of what is

Le Provencal.

*

*

Mauritius,

Sirus,

143/144 Fleet Street, London,

The discovery was made by a com-

14th Century Wreck Located . . .

New Naval Minehunter . .

Entries from all countries are

Government of Mauritius.

of the hull may have broken up. declared an historic relic by the

To protect it from wilful plundering

in the future, the wreck is to be

pump housing were reported to be

many cannons were still lying on the and planking nails indicate that some

the after part of the vessel was burried in mud and sand, but hull and deck, the presence of hull fasteners

the wreck off Grand Port. Much of in a reasonable condition. While

Warship H.M.S.

water Group and from the French Island of Mauritius in the Indian bined group of amateur divers from from a vessel of the Mauritian Naval Volunteer Force, the divers located Frigate

the same name, sunk in action off the Ocean. less station, the Mauritius Under-

recently at Portsmouth of the new Within a week of the launching

almost certainly the 36 gun ship of

Ruddle, R.N. with a complement in-

and three C.D*'s.

cluding one P.O. C.D. 1, one C.D.2 Devonport as a coastal minehunter. Forth, commanded by Lt.-Cdr. Mark recommissioned on October 16th, at

based at Port Edgar in the Firth of being refitted and converted from a She will join the First Minehunting Squadron in December and will be

coastal minesweeper H.M.S.

E.C.4.

Festival of Underwater Film, c/o

obtained from : The International

welcomed and entry forms can be

Triton,

53

The

Britain's leading

York . . .

Triton,

Britain's First

black and white prints; (2) colour

The Film Festival will be held at

The categories concerned are:

Gold, silver and bronze medals,

This Film Festival is being spon-

An International Festival of Under

Kingston New

Brighton, on March 26th, 27th and

prints; (3) colour slides; (4) 8mm/

best entries taken in British waters.

29th, 1965. the University of Sussex, near

16mm cine-films (amateur); and

Aqua Club. (5) 8mm/16mm tine-films (commer- cial). Special prizes will go to the

panel of representatives from the Worthing Branch of the British Sub- (a)

newspaper, television and film in-

prizes and special trophies will be

dustries in the U.K.

of the films.

awarded in five separate categories, journal for skin diving and marine been exposed underwater and 50 and the contest will be judged by a 1965. All photographs must have sored by science, and the Brighton and

water Film is to be staged for the first time in Great Britain in March,

medicines. Underwater Film Festival

variety of products . . . cheese, ice

Edelstein hopes to see a three-year

marine farming and exploration corp. cream, custards, hand lotions, cough a day. Irish moss is used in a wide

of Irish sea moss. If all goes well the could gather up to 10 tons of moss

this year on Jones River could add dream come true with the gathering the world's population in years to

come may live off the sea. Morris launching of the 'Sea Farmer' in May an important phase to the theory that

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

guns in

Anson.

*

Anson's

*

Parachute jumping

MAC.,

Yours aye, `The Lone Ranger',

(during recreational diving)

*

My best regards to all my friends,

Auchter Muchty Ecclefechango

Mr. Roland Morris, of the Admiral

'Parascuba.'

the sand dunes where it remains to this day. In July 1931 Amy Johnson

panse of flat sands being ideal for Pendine Sands on her famous East to West Atlantic flight, the long ex-

(Mrs. Mollison) took off from the unduly long take-off necessary

on such a pioneering flight.

you at the Divers' Dinner.

any, and looking forward to seeing

Go Goch.'

than 100 lives, and the disaster in-

to invent the rocket rescue line by means of which many seaman's lives have since been saved. Divers from Culdrose

spired Henry Trengroves of Helston

two groups of four protuding from the sand on the sea-bed. The first

spotted eight of the

back by the weather.

attempt to salvage one was beaten

Benbow Restaurant, Penzance owns

the salvage rights from the

with scuba equipment is catching on

aims were for the recovery of

in a big way in the States. Its original

warfare. Civilian groups now are

astronaut cannisters, demolition work and some special forces of the U.S.

Army use parascuba for guerrilla using this method of getting to their

diving sites. In the clear waters it

of reefs and wrecks . . . (problem

enables positive and direct location How to get back).

52

The

87 m.p.h.

.

146.16 m.p.h.

174.88 m.p.h. 150

Culdrose.

News Bulletin

A cannon weighing

At the 18th General

at Looe Bar, Portleven,

Sunbeam Sunbeam

Thomas (Baits) 169.3 m.p.h. Thomas (sass) 171.02 m.p.h.

Napier

(not the last of the name)

1924 ... Malcolm Campbell 1926 ... Malcolm Campbell 1926 ... J. G. P. Thomas

1926 ... J. G. R Thomas

1927 ... Malcolm Campbell On 3rd March 1927, Parry Thomas

Lifesaving Film wins International

Much credit must be given to the

'Culdrose' Divers salvage 'Anson'

The rusty barnacle-encrusted gun

on Pendine Sands:- 1924 and 1927 the wolrd's land

speed record was broken five times

His racing friends buried his car in

was killed on the sands while trying

to regain the world's speed record.

Resuscitation' won the major award.

Many countries were represented and

Assembly of the World Medical Award . . . the Royal Navy film 'Emergency

Royal Naval Medical School and in in all 119 films were shown.

Association, held this year at Helsinki

particular to Surgeon Captain

Stanley Miles, who was the technical

advisor.

Anson,

recently raised to the surface from between three and four tons was Cannon . . . the wreck of the 19th century H.M.S.

Anson

Cornwall.

was brought out of the water by

divers from R.N.A.S.

sank in 1802 with the loss of more www.mcdoa.org.uk End of an Era Obituary

IR ROBERT DAVIS, Life Presi- GEORGE HALLUM ALFRED CHARLES BARKLEY dent of Siebe Gorman, retired in SJune of this year, a few days It is with deep regret we have to Those of us who were fortunate before his 94th birthday after serving announce the passing of 'Nutty' enough to serve with Able Seaman for 82 years with the company. Sir Hallum. Although he had been out Barkley cannot help feeling shocked Robert, an Honorary Doctor of of the service for some time he still at the news of his untimely death. Science of Birmingham University maintained contact with us, and he, In every way, he was such a larger and a Fellow of the Royal Society of being a publican, the Diving Section than life character that it is difficult Arts, joined Siebe Gorman as an were easily able to keep in contact to imagine that `Flintstone' is with us office boy of 12 in January 1882, and with him. no more. rose to become a chairman and To all who knew him, he will surely Physically he was one of the managing director before being made be remembered for his cheerful toughest men I have ever known and Life President in 1959. manner and his skylarks. One of to this was added a depth of character Inventor, author, scolar and phil- of all British collieries. Modified these which I remembered was during which knew no fear. anthropist, Sir Robert has devoted versions of the `Proto' remain the a security exercise, some Royal Apart from his tough exterior, no one his life to studying the physiology of statutory breathing apparatus used Marines were to raid Vernon one who knew Barkley or had seen him respiration and to devising means of by the National Coal Board, South evening and all sentries were closed either at a Christmas party or singing enabling man to exist in irrespirable African Chambers of Mines and up at their posts. All was quiet until in the galley of a minesweeper on the atmospheres, both below water and Mining Organisations and Fire Ser- `Nutty' and another Diving character roughest of days could doubt the on land. His work earned him the vices throughout the British Common dashed across the quarter deck with real warmth of his personality. His title 'the father of British Diving'. wealth. `Nutty' yelling 'come on Sarge'. overwhelming sense of fun and cheer- Knighted in 1932 by H.M. the late The early developments pioneered Needless to say whistles blasted off fulness always won through to make King George V for his work on by Sir Robert Davis have influenced everywhere, and sentries were seen him one of the most likeable people submarine escape and diving, and in the design of self-contained breathing running to and fro in a general state in any community. of confusion. 1934 awarded the Thomas Grey apparatus for the last 50 years and At the end of his life, he was beset Prize by the Royal Society of Arts this is undoubtedly his greatest single One of his contributions to diving, with a series of misadventures start- for a series of papers on 'Deep contribution to the field of industrial many years ago, occurred when he ing with the tragic loss of his eight Diving and Underwater Escape'. Sir safety. had a class of Shallow Water Divers month old son through meningitis. Robert is an internationally known His other contributions to indust- at Horsea Island using Salvus. He This was followed by his own tem- figure in both diving and industrial rial safety include the development of had seven flaked out during one porary blindness through an em- safety. industrial gas and dust respirators, forenoon, this was duly reported and bolism only to be followed in turn by Although Siebe Gorman had been protective clothing and compressed shortly after the Diving Section an accident to his back when he was established in 1819 principally as air breathing apparatus. changed from Commercial to Med- run over by a gemini dinghy. ical Oxygen. diving engineers, as early as 1879 the In the field of diving he has been To many, these setbacks would have founder's son, Henry Siebe, in con- responsible for most of the develop- `Nutty' will be remembered by been too much to bear. junction with another British inven- ments in British diving equipment many of us as one of the true charac- Our sympathy at this tragic time tor, H. A. Fleuss, had developed the over the last 60 years, and he worked ters of the branch and we mourn goes out to Mrs. Barkley and her first really practicable self-contained very closely with the Admiralty his departure. two children, with her we mourn closed circuit breathing apparatus Experimental Diving Unit during The fund organised by C.P.O. the loss of a good man, one whom using compressed oxygen. The World War II on the development of Foggin, raised £101. we will not forget and whose passing equipment was used at the specialised equipment for under- leaves a gap that will never be filled. Killingworth colliery in 1880. water warfare. N.W.P. In 1902 Robert Davis revived Sir Robert at 94, retires possessed interest in the principles used by with the same drive and resilience A fund has been started, to help Fleuss and Siebe and together with which have characterized his whole Mrs Barkley and children. Postal Fleuss developed and manufactured life. Orders and Cheques should be made the first `Oroto' oxygen breathing out to Lt. C. L. Lawrence and apparatus, which in 1906 was a- Reproduced by kind permission of crossed Barkley Fund, dopted for use in the rescue stations Siebe Gorman Newsletter. 55 54 www.mcdoa.org.uk TAS/SL.356

Photo by Courtesy of A.T.V.

Anchor & Hope Lane, Charlton, S.E.7

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Portsmouth.

Vernon,

H.M.S.

R.N. Diving Magazine,

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54

Royal Naval Divers' Association

For all R.N. Divers and Ex-R.N.

We can also offer you the very

Blazor badge now available in Divers including Commonwealth Navies, the R.N. Divers Association

price of 30/-.

popular divers tie, motif is of alter-

superior gold and silver braid at a

helmet embroidered in yellow silk, price 15/—. nate underwater swimmer and divers choice of blue or maroon (Terylene),