DIVING THRILLS IN WAITEMATA

Northern Advocate, 28 November 1936, Page 6 (Supplement)

DIVING THRILLS IN WAITEMATA

can expect thrills in all ’ sorts of places. In tropical waters they may run foul of an octopus or with huge, man-eating sharks cruising in the vicinity. The giant clam may prove a death trap, for once its shell closes upon a foot, escape is difficult.

But in the quiet calm of the Waitemata Harbour, a diver might expect his trip to the bottom of the sea to be a mere picnic by comparison with other descents. It proved otherwise for First Class Diver William McKean the other day, when he was making a dive for the benefit of spectators at the Devonport Borough Council Jubilee celebrations.

Many people had gathered to watch fifteen-stone McKean don his diving suit and slip to the bed of the harbour, 18 feet below, near Calliope Wharf His equipment weighed 210 lbs. To see the diver walk down the steps, to watch the green waters close over his helmet, and trace the route he followed by a line of air-bubbles on the surface, was all interesting enough; but the thrill for the crowd came when it was seen that the pipe-joints had parted in the tubing through which fresh air was pumped to the man below. Quick as thought a sailor clapped the ends together, gripping them with all his might, while the diver was hauled speedily to the top. Never Happened Before. “What’s the matter?” he asked, as the glass port of his helmet was unscrewed. McKean grinned as he learned what had happened. “ ’S funny,” he said, “I’ve been down dozens of times before, yet this had to happen when I was giving an exhibition.” The diver said that he had to hold his breath for a time, and towards the end was contemplating cutting the weights that held him down. Fortunately, the air line, had broken above the water, otherwise First Class Diver McKean might have found himself in a really serious predicament. As it was the prompt action of the surface crew saved the day, and what might have been a trag- 1 edy, proved only an additional thrill for the spectators. In cases of emergency, it is sometimes possible for divers to inflate their suits - with air, and thus shoot rapidly to the surface. Self-contained Suits. Some diving suits used in comparatively shallow water are self-contained, oxygen being carried in containers strapped on the diver’s back. An American scientist, investigating the sea-bed in quite shallow water, went below in an ordinary bathingsuit with a special helmet over his head. In this case air was pumped to him from above.

The ordinary diving suit is constructed of waterproofed material, with copper and glass helmet, but for very deep dives, strong metal suits are used to, withstand the pressure of the water. /