West Sea Co. DIVING & SUBMARINES Catalog Page 10

West Sea Company

DIVING & SUBMARINES

Catalog Page 10

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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

10.83 U.S. NAVY DIVER’S PLAQUE. Authentic unit plaque for the "NUWC DIVERS" (Naval Underwater Warfare Command). This colorful plaque is made of hard fired porcelain bearing the command's shield depicting a torpedo, submarine-launched missile, a Mark V and early SCUBA gear. It is inset in a lovely solid walnut backboard measuring 10 inches square. Excellent original condition. Retail $195. 95

The Naval Underwater Warfare Center, headquartered at Newport, Rhode Island, has branch testing facilities in Newport and in Keyport, Washington. Established in 1914, the Naval Underwater Warfare group's mission is to provide testing and evaluation, in-service engineering, maintenance, and repair to insure fleet readiness for undersea warfare.

DETAIL

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

10.78 DIVER'S HELMET LAMP. Unique table lamp in the form of a faithfully reproduced World War II vintage U.S Navy Mark V deep sea diving helmet. The twist switch at the top provides 3 lighting modes: an internal "ambience" light inside the helmet only, the upper high wattage room light only, or a combination of both. The realistic helmet is of all copper and brass construction with glass ports. It features all brass fittings with copper bonnet and breastplate. It is securely mounted to its heavy wooden stand/base, and weighs 16 pounds! This very handsome presentation measures 28 inches tall overall. The helmet is 11 1/2 inches tall and measures 13 inches high with the stand. The base measures 12 inches wide by 9 1/2 inches deep. Outstanding original condition, with a great old age patina! 795

This lamp comes from the estate of former Master Chief Diver Edward R. Reynolds of San Diego, California who served in the Navy during World War II and retired in the early 1970's. This one-of-a kind lamp was presented to him upon his retirement.

To prevent overheating of this enclosed unit it is recommended that a low wattage interior bulb be used. This lamp is equipped with a new 7 1/2 watt bulb on the inside and comes with an additional spare.


DETAIL	HELMET	SIDE	BACK

10.77 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. 3144
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 with rarely-found original tinning in tact on the entire exterior! 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.

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.


LEFT	RIGHT	BACK	TAG	INSIDE	UNDERSIDE

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.