Posted on 05/25/2009 6:32:37 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
“He is too good to be trapped like that,” the young mill worker asserted. “I won’t give up hope until officially notified of his death.”
Her trousseau has been bought. In addition to a diamond, she said, Shirley had given her a wedding ring, with the words:
”Keep it. It will be safer in your possession than mine.”
The story of Swede Monsen, inventor and advocate of the rescue bell, is amazing - chronicled in “The Terrible Hours”, about this rescue and the events leading up to it. “Hero” is overused these days, but it fits this rescue team.
Colonel, USAFR
there was a really good book about this a few years back. i cant remember the name. i ll try and find it
found it. real good read.
the terrible hours by peter maas
Please add me to your Ping list!! Fascinating... thanks.
In the early 50s I served on a couple of WWII fleet boats that were similar to the Squalus. “Green board, pressure in the boat.” was a listened-for report by the Chief of the Boat.
When we dove, the auxiliaryman hit the hammer valve and bled a bit of 3,000-lb air into the boat - just enough to move the needle on the barometer. If the needle held, we were airtight.
There was a board to indicate whether a hatch or valve was open: Red open, Green closed. All of this came about because of the Squalus tragedy. She dived with the main induction valve open (it fed air to the diesels and was wider than a garbage can). No “pressure in the boat” routine in those days.
Nowadays, I understand the nuclear boats do a “straight board” routine as the colors were replaced with Os and Dashes.
Another good book, this one about salvaging the S-51, (sunk with all but three hands in a collision off Block Island, NY) is “On The Bottom” by Cmdr. Edward Ellsberg. Hard-hat diving in the ‘20s by guys who clanked when they walked, as well as a Can Do inventiveness that was typical of Americans in those days.
“All green?”
“All green.”
“Dive. All dive!”
Thanks for sharing your memories. And thanks for doing the dangerous work back then.
Homer_J_Simpson
REMF
1970-73
You are added. Thanks for your interest.
There are some interesting events to cover the next two months. In August things start to heat up.
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