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Submarine Researches by C A Deane
Submarine Researches by C A Deane
Submarine Researches, by the famous diving pioneer Charles A Deane, was first published in 1835. Now it has been republished, as the second monograph from the Historical Diving Society. It is a limited edition of 750 copies, and is notable in three ways.
To start with, it was the first book ever to be published about diving using the helmet and dress, with air pumped down from the surface. This apparatus, with little modification, was to become the familiar hardhat gear used throughout the world.
Accompanied by extensive notes, Deane describes some of the salvage-diving operations he carried out successfully for the Navy and for commercial and civil-engineering interests. The illustrations are of underwater work, including that on HMS Royal George, in the London docks and on the foundations of Blackfriars Bridge.
The second point of note is that John Bevan writes a fascinating introduction in which he describes Deane's life and his death in depleted circumstances, as well as covering the career of his younger brother John.
Third, there are two absorbing accounts from survivors of the sinking of the Royal George, which went down at Spithead in 1782. Of the 800 men and women on board, only some 150 survived.
Bernard Eaton
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| Submarine Researches by C A Deane (Historical Diving Society, 01737 249961). Hardback, 86pp, £18 |
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