EXAMINATION OF HOLMGLEN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29067, 2 December 1959, Page 16

EXAMINATION OF HOLMGLEN

R.N.Z.N. Divers’ Programme (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 1. The Royal New Zealand Navy diving team selected to examine the wreck of the coaster Holmglen will start deep-sea training off Great Barrier Island on Monday. At present, only one of the four men expected to dive to the Holmglen is qualified to work at deep-sea depths. By the time the team returns from the Hauraki Gulf on December 15, the other three men will have been trained up to the required standard. Normally to reach this standard the men would have to do a four-months course in Britain. All of the men in the team are divers with various diving qualifications. Those not required to descend to the Holmglen will attend those who are and handle the vital equipment. The diving tender Manawanui and the fleet auxiliary Tui will be used during the working-up period. If the weather remains good and the training proceeds satisfactorily the ships and divers will sail for Timaru on December 17. The officer in charge of the party, Lieutenant T. H. Wickman, R.N.Z.N., and Petty Officer F. W. Brady, an Englishman on loan from the Royal Navy, are the only members of the party who have done a deep-sea diving course in Britain.