West Sea Co. DIVING & SUBMARINES Catalog Page 10

West Sea Company

DIVING & SUBMARINES

Catalog Page 10

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10.70 SUBMARINE BINOCULARS. Very rare World War II vintage U.S. Navy submarine conning tower binoculars known as “Torpedo Forward Control Binoculars.” This extremely heavy optical device bears the brass maker's tag reading "U.S. NAVY - BU. OF ORD. TELESCOPE MARK 91 MOD. 1 WT. 40 SER. NO. 1687 BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO." To combat the effects of sea water, the body of these binoculars was made of solid stainless steel -- a very, very scarce commodity during the war and its use is indicative of the importance placed upon them! These gas-filled binoculars consist of two heavy cylinders each measuring 4 inches in diameter. Each is connected to a thick common rod with two stout mounting plates having four points of support.. The rod allows the binoculars to pivot independently of each other to adjust for interpupilary distance; the angle of which is indicated on a scale above. The distance is adjusted by a retractable lever on the objective end. Each objective is fitted with a spring-loaded lens cover which snaps open and shut. In addition, built into each cover is yet another spring-loaded filter for daylight viewing in haze or bright sunlight. The field produced by the large objective lenses and internal prisms is wide, clear and highly magnified. Prominent cross hairs, much like the submarine's periscope, are visible in the field. To the viewer's right is a lamp housing for illumination of the cross hairs at night. A prominent toggle switch operates the lamp. The oculars are protected by their original rubber eye cups which are in exceptionally fine original condition. This remarkable unit comes complete with its original machine-dovetailed wooden storage box. The stout box has a hinged lid with retainer chain, snap closures, and substantial bail carrying handles on either side. It measures 14 1/2 inches long by 14 inches wide and 9 1/2 inches high. The binoculars measure 11 inches long by 10 1/2 inches wide at the widest and 5 1/2 inches thick. The entire assembly weighs 53 pounds. The box is in excellent original condition with minimal surface wear only. The binoculars themselves are virtually perfect -- as last used in World War II! 995

Bausch and Lomb company was founded in 1853 by Germans John Jacob Bausch and Henry Lomb in Rochester, New York, specializing in optical devices and surgical instruments. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Lomb enlisted and rose to the rank of captain. He returned to Rochester in 1863 and the following year the firm became "Bausch and Lomb, Optician." After the Civil War, interest in spectacles rose rapidly. The company enlarged its factory in 1868 and changed its name to the "Vulcanite Optical Instrument Company," reflecting the popular use of vulcanized rubber in making spectacle frames. The name changed back to the "Bausch and Lomb Optical Company" in 1876. After World War II it became "Bausch and Lomb, Inc."

When Bausch's eldest son Edward entered the firm in 1875 a decision was made to branch out into optical instruments, beginning with the microscope, for which there was a growing demand. Bausch and Lomb added photographic lenses to their line in 1883 and began the manufacture of shutters in 1888. By 1903 Bausch and Lomb was making some 20 million spectacle lenses a year, and had manufactured 500,000 photographic lenses and 550,000 shutters! With such a tremendous output, it is easy to see why Bausch and Lomb was an integral part of the photographic and optical industry in America from the late 19th century onward. Among the companies using their components were Eastman Kodak and Graflex. To this day Bausch and Lomb products continue to be revered for their precision and quality.

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INBOX

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BOTTOM

OCCULARS

OBJECTIVES

NAME PLATE

10.06 DIVER’s BOOTS. Genuine pair of American hard hat diver’s boots. This matched set was made by the “Diving Equipment Supply Co. DESCO Milwaukee, Wis.” as stamped into one of the toes. These heavy duty boots have thick canvas uppers attached to wooden soles with bronze treads. The toes are of solid bronze as are the grommets holding the cotton rope laces. The heels of these boots are trimmed in leather. Each boot measures 13 ¾ inches long by 5 inches wide and 12 inches high. 22 pounds total. Outstanding original condition exhibiting actual use but no abuse. 495

PERSPECTIVE

TREADS

MAKER

10.88 DIVER’s LAMP. Genuine hard hat diver’s flashlight or “torch” made by the prestigious deep sea diving company, “Siebe Gorman, London” as impressed on the side. This heavy, all brass light has a bull’s eye lens with watertight construction. To prevent the lens from being damaged there are four heavy brass nibs around its circumference. The body of the lamp is marked “SIEBE, GORMAN & CO Ltd., LONDON” with identifying serial numbers. 11 ¼ inches long by 3 3/8 inches in diameter. This lamp is complete with all of its original internal components, and no doubt will work with the proper batteries. 395

COMPONENTS

PERSPECTIVE

SIGNATURE

10.03 SUBMARINE BADGE COLLECTION. Rare, complete collection comprising submariners’ badges from every nation which incorporated dolphins into their design. There are a total of 12 badges representing 10 countries. They are (left to right, top to bottom): United States, Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Taiwan, United Kingdom, South Korea, Canada, United States (enlisted). Some of the badges are sterling and at least one is marked “Gold Filled.” Three have cloisonné inlays and the U.S. enlisted emblem is embroidered gold thread. More importantly all of these badges were actually worn by men in their respective services and were collected by a U.S. submarine skipper during his commands from the early 1960’s. Complete with the rare reference book by Pete Prichard, “Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World, An Illustrated Reference for Collector,” 1997, Schiffer Publishing Co., Atglen, PA. 135 pages, hard cover with dust jacket and protective slip cover. Profusely illustrated with over 400 full color plates. Included is an interesting illustrated history of the origins of the U.S. submariner’s badge. Note that of the three badges pictured on the cover, 2 are included in this collection. Nicely framed under glass in a 12 /12 by 7 /12 inch displayable format. A genuinely rare offering. 695

BOOK

PLATE ONE

PLATE TWO

10.94 MARK V DIVING HELMET. This is it! The ultimate! Offered here is the very sought after, and by far most collected hard hat diving helmet ever -- an authentic World War II era U.S. Navy Mark V. But even more special, this is a scarce example by the Miller Dunn Company of Miami, in its original tin finish! The front of this handsome helmet bears the embossed lead breastplate maker's tag reading:

UNITED STATES NAVY
DIVING HELMET
MARK V MOD. 1
SERIAL NO. XXX* DATE OF MFG.
MILLER-DUNN CO.
MIAMI, FLORIDA

This helmet is made of heavy spun copper with cast brass fittings and thick glass ports. The interior is tinned and the bonnet has air channels leading from the air intake goose neck over the three ports. The phone communicator gooseneck contains its original components with cap and the fittings for holding the transducer are present. The chin button is in place and functions properly. On the exterior, all fittings are original and in tact. Each of the four brales bear serial numbers matching that of the breastplate tag. The entire unit, weighing 50 pounds, is in excellent totally original condition! There are of course the expected minor dents and dings in the top of the bonnet from actual diving!

* For the privacy and security of the ultimate purchaser, the serial number of this helmet is being withheld.
The now legendary Miller-Dunn Company of Miami is shrouded in a good deal of mystery, even though it is documented that the company produced hard hat diving helmets over the course of more than 30 years. Begun in 1915 as a partnership between a plumber and machinist the company was best known for its shallow water "Divinhood" designs which were patented in the United States and abroad. In his monumental reference book "Helmets of the Deep" by Leon Lyons, 1988, Leon Lyons, Hollywood, Florida, Mr. Lyons writes on page 133, "The number two and 3 styles are most popular among collectors of nautical antiques. They have such a strange look about them. One should also mention the Mark V as a much sought-after helmet."
Of the 4 major producers of the Mark V helmet, before and during World War II, Miller-Dunn's output was the smallest. Added to the fact that only a handful of this little known company's helmets now survive, the example offered here is made all the more desirable.

BACK

LEFT

RIGHT

DETAIL

TAG

INSIDE

10.95 EARLY HARD HAT DIVER’s BOOTS. Very scarce, early 1900’s diver’s boot with leather uppers and brass fittings. This original old matched pair has bronze toes with wooden insoles and lead bottoms. The leather ia in a remarkable state of original preservation. Of great significance is the fact that the right boot is marked on the bronze toe “ARS 33.” It is also stamped “R” designating the right boot. In total this set weighs more that 40 pounds! In Leon Lyons’ground breaking work, “Helmets of the Deep,” 1988, Leon Lyons, Hollywood, Florida, an identical pair of boots are depicted on page 330 described as “2. American – A. Schraders Son.”

USS CLAMP (ARS-33) was a Diver class rescue and salvage ship acquired by the U.S. Navy soon after America entered World War II. CLAMP was launched October 24, 1942 by the Basalt Rock Co., Napa, California, under a U.S. Maritime Commission contract and was commissioned as a U.S. Navy vessel on August 23, 1943.


Career (US)
Ordered:	as HMS Atlantic Salvor (BARS-3)
Laid down:	3 February 1942
Launched:	24 October 1942
Commissioned:	23 August 1943
Decommissioned:	6 May 1947
Struck:	1 July 1973
Fate:	as of September 2010 in storage at MARAD Suisan Bay RRF.
General characteristics
Displacement:	1,630 tons
Length:	213 ft 6 in (65.07 m)
Beam:	39 ft (12 m)
Draft:	14 ft 4 in (4.37 m)
Propulsion:	diesel-electric, twin screws, 2,780 hp
Speed:	15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement:	120
Armament:	four 40 mm guns, four .50 cal machine guns

Charged with the task of aiding stricken vessels, CLAMP sailed from San Pedro on September 30, 1943. After a brief period at Pearl Harbor, CLAMP arrived in the Ellice Islands on November 8th. From this base she conducted combat salvage operations supporting the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.
On November 10th CLAMP came under Japanese air attack five different times, but sustained no damage. She performed salvage operations on LST-34 off Tinian and assisted USS HOEL (DD-533) off of Betio Point on December 2nd. At Midway CLAMP conducted salvage operations on USS MACAW (ASR-11) from January through February 17, 1944.
Thereafter CLAMP began working in the Marshall Islands into April. She investigated sunken Japanese vessels for salvage value off Saipan in July and in the process captured 10 prisoners. She returned to Pearl Harbor for overhaul in November 1944.
CLAMP arrived at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. She engaged in salvage work during the invasion and capture of that island. In early March she sailed to Leyte via Saipan, Guam and Ulithi, joining the salvage and repair group which cleared for the March 21st invasion of Okinawa. From March 31st through April 5th 1944 CLAMP provided emergency assistance to the famous heavy cruiser USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35), which had suffered a brutal Kamikaze attack. Upon completion of that duty, CLAMP steamed to Ie Shima on May 12th to inspect two damaged destroyers.
From late 1944 well into1945 CLAMP underwent overhaul on the West Coast. On November 5, 1945 she sailed for Pearl Harbor, remaining there until March 6, 1946 when she put out for Bikini Atoll to provide towing, diving, and demolition services in connection with the auspicious Operation Crossroads atomic tests. CLAMP returned to San Francisco via Pearl Harbor on October 22nd.
On May 6, 1947 USS CLAMP was placed out of commission in reserve at San Pedro, California, and was struck from the Naval Registry on July 1, 1973. As of February 2008, CLAMP, a heroic war veteran, is now laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet in Suisan Bay, Benicia, California.
USS CLAMP received four battle stars for World War II service.

BOOTS

MARK

SIDE

SOLES

10.93 SIEBE GORMAN DIVING HELMET. Scarce, especially fine English-made deep sea hard hat diving helmet. This 12-bolt, 3-light commercial helmet was made by the legendary diving equipment manufacturer, Siebe Gorman of London, England as identified on the embossed brass maker’s plaque riveted to the breastplate which reads, “SIEBE GORMAN.” The handsome spun copper and brass bonnet has a simple front port which threads on with a leather gasket and 2 prominent lugs for turning. The 2 oval side ports are protected by raised brass grills of traditional form. A spitcock is located on the diver’s left and an air supply gooseneck with non-return valve is at the rear of the bonnet. A second gooseneck with cover marked “TELEPHONE” afforded communication with the surface. An exhaust valve with 8-point handle is positioned abaft the right port light. The large brass neck ring is of the interrupted thread design seating the bonnet on the breastplate with a leather O-ring. A small pivoting “keeper” at the back of the neck ring assures proper alignment. The breastplate has 2 front lugs and 4 brails consecutively numbered and stamped “SIEBE GORMAN & CO LTD” in front. The interior of the helmet is tinned with air channels running above each port. An air release valve operated by the diver’s head is located behind his left ear. This helmet is in an unbelievbly wonderful state of original preservation, given its age. As such, it is priced accordingly. Cicrca 1920. 46 pounds.

Diving pioneer August Siebe was born in Saxony in 1788. He was educated in Berlin and apprenticed as a fine caster of parts for instruments, guns and watch making. In 1816 he moved to England and became a British subject in 1819. His initial work was as an inventor and fabricator, including a breech-loading rifle, paper making machine and a carbon arc lamp. However it was his invention and production of the first commercially viable diving apparatus in 1837 that brought him fame. Up to that time, divers had used crude “open” systems which were awkward and dangerous, requiring the diver to be vertical at all times. Siebe introduced a “closed” diving dress with hard hat which allowed the diver freedom of movement without regard to position. Virtually every hard hat made since has relied upon Siebe’s original design. Siebe was soon joined by his son-in-law William A. Gorman to form the company Siebe Gorman, which produced all manner of diving equipment. Augustus Siebe died in 1872. But his legacy lived on in the company that bore his name well into the 20th century.

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DETAIL

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RIGHT

10.91 HARD HAT DIVING EMBLEM. Highly sought after, authentic World War II vintage diving emblem. This authentic relic of hard hat diving consists of a very heavy solid cast bronze plaque of a U.S. Navy Mark V helmet flanked by stylized dolphins. Such a configuration is the mark of a First Class Diver. The casting is done in high relief and shows crisp detail. 11 ½ inches wide by 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 10 pounds! Nice age patina to all surfaces. Excellent original condition. 495

These emblems were mounted on the diving locker of an ARS (Submarine Rescue Ship) or one of the many shoreside diving lockers on U.S. Naval bases throughout the world.

MAKER

10.89 HARD HAT DIVING PUMP. Genuine first half of the 1900’s American shallow water diving pump made by the “MILLER-DUNN CO. MIAMI FLA.” as cast in relief on the cylinder heads. This model “NO. 1A” consists of twin vertical brass cylinders connected to a pivoted rocking beam. The beam and cylinders are connected to the cast iron bedplate which was attached to a wooden mounting board during actual use. The cylinders pivot on their mounts, as does the rocker arm. Pistons with leather seals within the twin cylinders pumped air to the diver by means of a rubber hose connected in series to the sides of the cylinders. Stressing simplicity in their design, Miller Dunn made the coupling to fit a common garden hose! The brass coupling and hard rubber gasket are both still present on this example. In the top of the rocking beam a slot is provided for the insertion of a long metal handle. It was held with a set screw which is still present. This pump was designed to provide air to a diver wearing one of Miller-Dunn’s three famous “shallow water” helmets. A shallow depth was considered to be one atmosphere of pressure or approximately 30 feet. As configured this pump stands 14 ½ inches tall, 12 ½ inches long, 5 ½ inches wide and weigh 28 pounds. It is in excellent “as last used” condition, still retaining its original haze gray paint and still pumping air! 795

The now legendary Miller-Dunn Company of Miami is shrouded in a good deal of mystery, even though it is documented that the company produced hard hat diving helmets over the course of more than 30 years. Begun in 1915 as a partnership between a plumber and machinist the company was best known for its shallow water "Divinhood" designs which were patented in the United States and abroad. In his monumental reference book "Helmets of the Deep" by Leon Lyons, 1988, Leon Lyons, Hollywood, Florida, Mr. Lyons writes on page 133, "The number two and 3 styles are most popular among collectors of nautical antiques. They have such a strange look about them.”


MAKER	BACK

10.85 HARD HAT DIVING PUMP. Authentic first half of the 1900's American diving pump made by "MORSE DIVING EQUIPMENT CO., INC. BOSTON, MASS. U.S.A." as cast in relief on the body of the pump. On the reverse side is cast the model number "No. 15." This twin cylinder shallow water pump is made of solid bronze mounted to an oak platform. The one-man reciprocating pump is operated by a steel handle with a perpendicular oak grip. As configured it measures 31 1/2 inches long on the oak base and stands approximately 46 1/4 inches high. The pump itself measures 20 1/2 inches long by 8 inches wide on the base. The entire unit weighs 54 pounds! Matching serial numbers on the pump and rocker arm. The genuine quality handle is a faithful replacement.

In the catalog of Andrew J. Morse & Son, Inc. Edition 5M, copyrighted in 1937, page 15 through 17 are devoted to this pump and the shallow water diving helmet associated with it. It is described as, "The No. 15 Pump has two cylinders which are single action, and as shown by the illustration, are made in one bronze casting. The discharge valves and the hose outlet are connected by brass pipe, so arranged that the cylinder heads may be easily removed. The results of tests made show that our Shallow Water Outfit is entirely satisfactory provided the depth of the water does not exceed 36 feet." The price of the pump in 1937 exclusive of additional equipment or fittings was listed at $100.


PERSPECTIVE	PUMP	DETAIL	MAKER	NUMBER

10.80 EARLY SUBMARINE PHOTOGRAPH. Very scarce, pre-World War II black and white photograph entitled "Officers & Crew of U.S. Submarine Pike" lower center and dated "Dec 11, 1937" lower right. This very crisp image shows no less than 49 officers and men of this famous submarine posed on the main deck and abaft the conning tower. Each crewman wears the old style Navy flat hat with the name "USS PIKE" on the hat band. This "Old Navy" submarine still bears the bold, outdated designation "P2" on the side of the conning tower with running lights just forward and portholes on the navigation bridge! Aficionados of early submarines will be particularly interested to note the sub's superstructure and periscope are clearly visible as are its searchlight and anchor lamp on the conning tower. This photo was taken before the invention of the snorkel. The image measures 7 3/4 by 9 1/2 inches and is housed under glass in its original simple wooden frame with stiff red board backing measuring 9 by 10 3/4 inches. Outstanding original condition. 195

USS PIKE (SS-73) was laid down on December 20, 1933 by the Portsmouth naval Yard in Kittery, Maine and launched on September 12, 1935. She was commissioned on December 2, 1935. PIKE was the first all-welded submarine. Her welded hull allowed PIKE to submerge to much greater depths than previous submarines, while providing greater protection against depth-charge attacks. She had a length of 283 feet, a beam of 25 feet and displaced 1,934 tons.

After shakedown in the Atlantic, PIKE departed Newport, Rhode Island for San Diego. During 1937 and 1938, she participated in maneuvers near Hawaii. During 1940 and 41 she served with Sub Squadron 5 along the China Coast from Shanghai to Tsingtao.

In response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor she put to sea on December 8, 1941 to guard sea lanes between Manila, Hong Kong and Australia into early 1942.

On her fourth war patrol from Fremantle, Australia she sailed north of the Palau Islands and Wake Island, before reaching Pearl Harbor in late May. After an overhaul at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, she was again in service in December guiding bombers to Wake Island. During an attempted attack off the coast of Japan on January 14, 1943 she escaped a severe depth-charge counterattack. In April she fired torpedoes at targets off Truk, and shelled Satawan Island.

On August 5, 1943 PIKE sank the 2,022-ton Japanese cargo ship SHOJU MARU near Marcus Island. After that success, she departed Pearl Harbor arriving at New London, Connecticut on November 3, 1943. She remained there for the duration of the war as a training vessel at the Submarine Base.

USS PIKE was decommissioned at Boston on November 15, 1945 and became a Naval Reserve training ship at Baltimore in September 1946. Upon completion of those duties, she was stricken from the Naval Register on February 17, 1956 and sold for scrap.

PIKE received four battle stars World War II service.


DETAIL	SUPER DETAIL	BACK

10.76 SUBMARINE CLOCK. Genuine deck clock from a Cold War era Soviet nuclear submarine! This fine quality, precision timepiece has a white enameled dial with Arabic numerals, simple black steel hands, minute chapter and large seconds sweep. The 12 o'clock position is marked by the distinctive Red Star and the 6 o'clock position is marked by the classic Naval symbol, a fouled anchor. The dial is decorated with the image of a nuclear submarine conning tower and dive planes and the word (translated) "Komandirskie." This indicates the clock was made for officers (kommanders), and was a prominent fixture in the Officers' Quarters. The bottom of the clock is signed in Cyrillic, "Made in U.S.S.R." The high grade movement was built in typical Soviet style -- like a truck! The heavy stainless steel plates house a large brass spring-barrel with a classic overwind protection feature known as a "Geneva stop" and a jeweled lever escapement. A Fast/Slow lever is present at the 12 o'clock position, concealed when the bezel is closed. The hinged bezel is nickel-plated brass affixed with 6 screws and when closed it seats on a rubber gasket with an airtight fit. The contoured clock case is cast aluminum with the bezel opening on the right. It incorporates a clever locking device which is operated by the winding key. The back of this clock is complete with it original bulkhead mounting plate which allows it to be easily removed using the spring-loaded tab seen at the top. The mounting plate is 9 inches in diameter. The clock itself is 8 1/4 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep. Outstanding original condition showing actual use but no abuse. An excellent timekeeper. Complete with the original winding key! 895

Upon the demise of the former Soviet Union in the 1990's a number of so-called "Russian submarine clocks" came onto the commercial market. Those clocks were newly made to be sold for profit. They were not designed for, nor did they ever see actual use in the Soviet Fleet. This earlier example is an actual Soviet submarine clock that has seen military service, dating from the 1960's.


PERSPECTIVE	DIAL	COMPONENTS

10.21 Authentic U.S Navy hard hat Mark V diving helmets for sale in quantity from salvage.

ANSWERS TO AUTHENTICATION QUIZ
IN "FEATURES" ARTICLE

"The U. S. Navy MARK V,
Diving Deep Into Authentication"

The genuine Mark V helmet is on the right.

1. Center and left helmets have been chemically darkened, including all exterior fittings. The copper shells of original Mark V's were coated with tin, but ususally the fittings were not tinned.

2. The faceplate wing nut does not seat "within" the grooved faceplate prong of the center and left helmets, as it does on the genuine Mark V.

3. Brale lug nuts are the same on the center and left helmets. On the genuine Mark V, the lug nuts at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions have an enlarged flange to prevent pinching of the suit at the joints.

4. No mounting plate for sacrificial zinc in between the faceplate and left (diver's) port on the center and left helmets.

5. The genuine Mark V has breastplate eyelets, whereas the center and left helmets have breastplate lugs or nipples.

6. The shape of the genuine Mark V breastplate describes a deep arch. The breastplates of the center and left helmets are squared off and not as deep.

7. The breastplate studs on the reproduction Mark V's are riveted to the breastplate. The eyelets on a real Mark V protrude through the breastplate and are secured from the backside NOT with rivets.