Vintage Diver

On a recent trip to Tarpon Springs Florida, I had the opportunity to engage in some diving nostalgia. There I had the opportunity to see a diver reenact the sponge dives of yesteryear by donning a hard hat diving system and go searching for sponges in the local waters. Afterwards the diver was available for pictures, a dramatic figure wearing his copper helmet. Often I would wonder what it would be like to don such historic dive gear myself, and walk across the ocean floor. Recently I began to hear about vintage dive rally's being held in the region. I promised myself, that should the opportunity arise, I would try to attend one such event and see for myself what it was like to go hard hat diving. This past summer I did just that.

For the last few years, Bob Rusnak of the Northeast Diving Equipment Group and member of the Historical Diving Society has been organizing vintage dive rally's throughout the region. For certified divers it has meant an opportunity to come and try out the groups impressive collection of vintage dive equipment. This past June the dive site was a location many TSSC divers are very familiar with, Brownstone Quarry near Hartford CT. A scenic flooded quarry surrounded by towering brownstone cliffs, it has only been open for the last few years. It is a fitting place to try historical diving equipment, as the quarry is now designated a National Historic Landmark. My day began by arriving at the quarry and introducing myself to the rally team. The set up was impressive. The group had created a dive station complete with underwater communications between themselves, the hard hat divers, and support rescue divers. I learned I had two options to choose from that day, a Russian helmet model system and the Mark V diving system. But I really only had eyes for the Mark V.

Visually hard hat diving equipment is impressive. As a result, hard hat diving systems have become the must have amongst nautical antique collectors. Of course, at the top of the list for every serious vintage dive equipment collector is the classic U.S. Navy Mark V diving helmet. The Mark V is one of the best known diving helmets in the world. A marraige of form, function, and aesthetics; it was the U.S. Navy’s primary diving apparatus from its creation in 1915-1916 until it was replaced in 1983. This remarkable piece of equipment went virtually unchanged for nearly seventy years and was used for combat salvage operations in every theater of action. The helmet was produced by the Diving Equipment and Salvage Company (now known as DESCO) for the U.S. Navy from 1920's until replaced by the Mark 12 surface supplied system in the late 1970’s.

My education that day began with an orientation on the ins and outs of the Mark V dive system. All prospective divers were instructed in the workings of the gear. This particular rig included a chin operated purge valve and a spitcock to allow a little water in ( for clearing foggy windows or taking a drink in fresh water). The helmet was mounted to a collar, which in turn was bolted to the suit itself. I soon learned that this would be hands on learning. Each person who wanted to dive also had the opportunity to help dress and tend waiting divers before they suited up themselves. This allowed prospective divers to have a more complete understanding of the equipment prior to their individual dive. Soon I was engrossed in the task of strapping the leather laces and belts of my fellow divers. Canvas clad feet were slipped into brass boots. Legs were laced in the back to avoid over inflation once below the surface. I was told that the total system weighed about 180 pounds. In fact, each lead boot was about 17 pounds. As I got the hand of managing this equipment, I could definitely see that ergonomics and comfort were definitely not in mind during the design phase of it.

Finally it was my time to don the Mark V. Tenders surrounded me as the gear seemed to engulf me. First I slipped into the rubberized canvas drysuit through the neck hole. Then I slid my hands through the thick rubber wrist seals. My attendants began the task of strapping laces and belts. The collar was attached to the suit via 12 brass wing nuts. I began to feel the weight on my shoulders by now slightly. My tenders next had me stand, as the leather harness and lead weights were added. These would help my center of balance underwater. So far, so good. It was now time for the helmet. The brass helmet was carefully lowered onto my head, bayonet locked, and the air and communication lines tied into place. As the faceplate was closed, I finally had the view of the world early helmet divers must have had. I felt as if my view of the world was somewhat narrowed, through the thick latticed windows.

As I was donning my gear, a muskrat swam across the quarry surface, viewing the proceedings with curiosity. I viewed this encounter as a good omen as I was guided into the water by my safety divers. It was a strange feeling as I entered the water. I somewhat felt like a clumsy giant robot. Their was no sensation as the water closed over my helmet. I almost didn't realize I was completely submerged, about 10 feet, until my safety diver pointed to the surface. I began to relax as suddenly I came to the realization that I was quite buoyant in the water, and felt less like the clumsy robot I was while on the surface. I was able to control air flow by a knob at the left side, which was quite loud. At one point I shut off the air flow for a few moments. The only sound was a peaceful silence, punctuated by the resonace of my breathing in the metallic helmet. The communication system was easy to hear and the support team checked often to see how I was doing. Visibility in the quarry was only about ten feet. I began to imagine what it must have been like to have had to use this suit day in and day out; collecting sponges, rescuing men trapped in a submarine, or salvaging a shipwreck. I was told later by surface support people, that I spent most of my dive laughing with glee. Apparently my mirth was relayed to the surface support people via the com link.

Too soon it was time to retun. As I walked to the shore, I once again began to feel the full weight of the gear with each step. I was lead out by two support divers. Once on shore, the helmet was removed, and I had the opportunity to have a photograph taken in a dramatic "victory pose". I had a very exciting dive that day. It was a great new way to to explore the underwater world. My heartfelt thanks to Bob Rusnak and all the many hardworking volunteers that day. I definitely plan to try this again. For more information see http://www.hardhatdivers.org/ .