DIVERS IN PERIL

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1932, Page 14

DIVERS IN PERIL

SALVAGING THE M2. TRAPPED BY FOULED GEAR. London, Dec. 10. The ten months’ salvage operation in an unsuccessful attempt to raise the submarine M2 have resulted, declares tire News-Chronicle, in the birth of a new naval arm, the M2 divers using their experience to train a new corps. ' The' divers made 1300 separate descents during the operations, usually remaining 90 minutes under water, and taking a further 72 to rise to the surface, thus avoiding too sudden changes of pressure. The longest dive lasted 340 minutes. The live’s of the men were in constant peril, divers being trapped on the seabed when the gear fouled. One was held a prisoner upside down until comrades dived to release him. Others were carried by dangerous tides under the ship, and one was using a new oxy-hydro flame cutter when it exploded. He had a miraculous escape, although his diving suit had to be cut off him.

The hull of the M2 was sealed with tons of cement -.-