Incidents List
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Year Month Day Surname Forenames Location Contractor Client Depth Type of Diving Details -
1924 9 1 Lovell Reuben UK "A diver for nearly 40 years at Portsmouth dockyard died recently. He brought up 200 bodies from the wreck of the training Frigate 'Eurydice' which foundered near Ventnor in a squall". Papers Past, evening Post, National Library of New Zealand. The training frigate 'Eurydice' sank off the isle of Wight when returning from a voyage to the Caribean with the loss of over 300 lives on 24th March 1878. She was refloated by early September in an extended diving operation using Sieve Gorman divers. -
1924 8 25 Laurentic UK 27 Salvage of Gold bars off the wreck of the “Laurentic�, sunk off northern Ireland (off Lough Sully) in 1917 by a German submarine “Despite the perils attending what is said to have been the greatest salvage feat on record, there was only one accident, in which a diver suffered a broken leg� -
1924 7 3 Smith Cilord USA Military S/S Air US Navy training dive a North Island torpedo base (California? TC), reported as “Hauled up, cause of death strangulation, Navy Board to Review� -
1924 7 0 Cappadona France S/S Air STINGRAY ATTACKS DIVER. Cappadona, the well-known French diver had an astonishing encounter with a stingray while repairing the Toulon-Antibes cable. The stingray has a terrific, dagger-like tail, which is poisonous. When it saw the diver it dashed at him, striking with its tail and cutting the diving suit in many places, bruising Cappadona's body, but, luckily, not cutting the skin. Otherwise, the diver would have been doomed. Cappadona had pulled out his dagger and struck the stingray between the eyes, and as he did so tugged the "haul up" signal. This saved his life, the diving suit being useless owing to the holes. He was unconscious when pulled to the surface. Cappadona states that the stingray is even more dangerous than the 50-pound devil fish. Reported in The Horsham Times, Victoria, Australia -
1924 0 0 US Navy USA S/S Mixed Gas US Navy and Bureau of mines sponsor experimental heliox dives -
1923 6 1 Doe Arnold R USA S/S Air Superintendent of bridges of the state highway department, inspecting the East Haddam Bridge, 'died about 2:30 o'clock this afternoon from an internal haemorrhage' -
1923 0 0 Not Recorded USA Chamber Reported as possibly the first recorded chamber fire, at the Cunningham Sanitorium in Kansas City. The chamber was outside the buildings and heavily insulated to protect the patients from extreme winter temperatures. The nurse inside the entry lock/TUP called "The tank is on fire", the doctor went into the enty lock and saw hazy smoke in the other compartment, he evacuated the pateints and then emptied the other tank. No apparent damage except charring of the wooden floor. They had external naked gas burners under the tanks to keep them warm in winter and it is believed somebody turned up the gas too much resulting in the wooden floor interior scorching. No injuries reported. Sheffield and Desautels “Hyperbaric and hypobaric Chamber fires, a 73 year analysis�, Undersea Hyperbaric Medicine, 1997, 24 (3): 153-164. They missed the fire that killled Anna Crouch 17/11/1922 (TC) -
1922 11 17 Couch Anna USA Rockefeller Institute Chamber Woman undergoing oxygen therapy in a chamber,, fire reported as caused by a short circuit, her bed and bedding erupted into flames. “In the highly oxygenate atmosphere the flames spread so swiftly and burned so fiercely that there was no chance for the patient� A nurse with her in the chamber survived unhurt. New York Times -
1922 9 11 Not Recorded Malaysia FMS Railway Company 12 Caisson Pahang province, about 26 miles from the town of Kuala Lipis, railway construction department building a bridge over the Jelai river, a Philippino diver was working at the bottom of one of the two 40' deep coffer dams when "the whole structure was sucked down below the bed of the river. Mr. Snelling, the diving expert attached to Messrs D. G. Robertson Ltd., was telegraphed for, but although air had been pumped through the life lines for the 96 hours before his arrival, no hopes were entertained of recoverimg the body of the diver". Straits Times" -
1922 8 0 Williams UK "Diver's Accident in Tobermory Bay. While engaged in the search for sunken treasure, Mr Williams, the principlal …" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Evening Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive -
1922 1 19 Rufer Alexander R USA Military S/S Air Aghed 32, diver attached to the local US Engineering corps, fatally injured whilst working on the Ohio river dam 5 (Between Rochester and Freedom, just north of Pittsbiugh, PA, striuck by a wicket being moved into place by a crane. The Pittsburgh Press -
1921 12 20 Torrance Captain william UK S/S Air "Diver drowned. Through air pipe becoming severed, William Torrance, diver, lost his life while…" "Weymouth diver's tragic end. Asphyxiated underwater through air pipe bursting. Weymouth, Wednesday. Verdict of death by asphyxiation was returned today.." "Diver suffocated. Fatal accident in Portland Harbour while diving operations were in progress from the tug..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1921 12 2 Not Recorded Australia Morley Pearling 11 S/S Air Pearl Diver Killed. Further information has been received by the Inspector of Police, Cairns, regarding the recent death of a Japanese diver, aged 20 years, off Thursday Island. The deceased was engaged by the Morley Pearling Co. of Thursday Island, and was diver and captain of a ketch named "Dart." He was at work in six fathoms of water when the spring of the pump burst, and he was immediately hauled to the surface. When his head-gear was removed he was found to be dead. The scene of the fatality was at the fishing grounds, 60 miles from Thursday Island, known as Badu. Deceased was-taken to Thursday Island, where death was declared to be due to suffocation while diving in apparatus. Reported in the Cairns post, Qld. -
1921 8 39 De Gaetano Vincent USA Merrit and Chapman Wrecking Company S/S Air Harlem river, tangled in lines, did not respond to treatment -
1921 6 17 Godfrey Damon S Canada 8 S/S Air Sault Ste Marie, city on the St Marys River, Diver's lines tangled, unable to signal surface, lost helmet seal, gradual flooding of suit, drowned. Reported in the New York Times -
1920 0 0 Cram J H USA Porter Brothers American, sued his employers claiming that he been incapacitated for some time after “his hoses were caught� and his air cut off -
1919 3 27 Thiemann USN USA Military S/S Air American Navy diver, died whilst diving for a torpedo off St Thomas, Virginia -
1918 5 11 Not Recorded USA Military “Plumber� drowned at navy deep sea training school - A training accident, no details -
1917 10 0 Not Recorded UK "Diver's Terrible Death At Avonmouth Docks. Mr. A. E. Barker (City Coroner) resumed an inquest yesterday (18th October 1917) respecting the death of a ..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Western Daily Press/The British Newspaper Archive -
1916 0 0 Not Recorded UK "Fatal Accident to a Diver. A fatality occurred at Chatham…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Manchester Evening News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1916 0 0 USS F-4 USA 93 S/S Air US Navy divers Crilley, Loughman and Nielson dive to 304' on air during salvage of the US Submarine F-4 using an early version of the Mk V Morse and Schrader dress (Without communications) The finalised version was adopted by the US Navy 1917 and used until introduction of the Mk 12 in the late 1970s -
1915 8 2 Carpenter Charles USA S/S Air Highland Park, Pittsburgh, working in a 51� diameter pipe connecting two reservoirs, a cable snapped and an iron gate dropped behind him. After an hour and no response to signals, a second diver investigated, found the gate shut and worked to raise it. This was achieved some 5 hours after he first entered the water. Reported that he had only died minutes before being rescued. Rescue attempt was witnessed by a large crowd, including his wife and sister. Milwaukee Sentinel. -
1915 8 2 Flannigan Harry UK Military S/S Air "Diver meets tragic death. The body was landed at the Royal Navy Hospital, Haslar, yesterday for inquest purposes of Harry Flannigan, a…"Diver suffocated by air pipe entanglement". No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Dundee Courier/The British Newspaper Archive -
1915 6 9 Shaw Gilbert UK Military "Gorton diver drowned. Word has been received in Manchester of the death of armourer and diver Gilbert Shaw of HMS Espiegl.." e (A Cadmus class Sloop launched in 1900, sold in 1923). No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Manchester Evening News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1915 3 25 Murphy James Joseph UK Topsides "Death of well known government diver who died in Dover from pneumonia at the …" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Dover Express/The British Newspaper Archive -
1915 2 23 Hanson Harry USA Merrit and Chapman Wrecking Company 20 S/S Air Aged 48, third dive of the day on the salvage of a scow sunk at the foot of 57th Street, Brooklyn. Reported that he descended, signalled to be lifted but was entangled, hoses kinked and he suffocated though at the inquiry his erstwhile employers denied that his air supply was cut off or that there was any delay in pulling him up and stated that the inside of the suit was dry and receiving fresh air when he was pulled to the surface, Reported in the New York Times -
1915 2 4 Horry Sydney Australia 10 S/S Air Paraphrased from newspaper report:- “BAIRNSDALE, Thursday. A fatal accident happened on the railway bridge construction site to-day to a diver who was working in the Mitchell River. The air pipe attached to the diver's outfit became disconnected, and an attendant named Reid immediately drew him up. On reaching the surface the diver was dead. There was no water in his dress, but the pressure of water at the great depth had killed him. He recently came .from England and had not much experiences of diving, he had no relatives in Australia.� Reported in the Melbourne Argus -
1915 1 14 Robinson John Singapore Topham, Jones and Railton 12 S/S Air English (From Southampton) Aged 32. contracted to Singapore Harbour Board during construction of new wharf (Tanjong Pagar section G-F). During underwater lifting/lowering, the diver stopped responding to line pulls and could not be pulled up. They brought up a second diver (named Harvey who was workling 10' to 12' away) and sent him back down to find what the problem was. Harvey went down and then surfaced indicating that they were to pull the diver up but they could not. Harvey went down again and after a signal they managed to pull the diver up. On getting him to the surface they could see the air pipe was severed (Only held by a strand the spiral internal wrap) about 15' from the diver. They attempted artificial respiration which was further continued by arriving doctors, but no response. The investigation concluded that the air line had been caught and severed by the lifting gear due to the strong tide (slack air line) and that the surface crew probably did not understand the diver's signals. Cause of death was given as asphyxia due to suffocation. The coroner observed that "the deceased was dead when brought to the surface". Straits Times. -
1915 0 0 Pearl divers Australia S/S Air In total, more than 800 divers and their support crews lost their lives because of cyclones between 1882 and 1935. In only 3 years, 1912 to 1915, 93 divers died from the bends. These were boom years for the industry, but the price in human terms was very high.' -
1914 6 21 Cossoboom Canada Quebec Salvage Company 40 S/S Air American, From New York, working on the wreck of the “Empress of Ireland� (Sank in the St Lawrence Seaway after a collision with the loss of around 800 persons) recovering bodies, lost contact with surface, was recovered unconscious to the schooner “Josephine� by a Royal Navy diver from the Cruiser Essex, failed to respond to treatment, died 30 minutes later. It appears he dropped from the superstructure (80' water depth) to the seabed (130' water depth) and was squeezed. Reported in the New York Times -
1914 6 20 Not Recorded France Military “DIVERS NARROW ESCAPE. Buried torpedo nearly kills and then saves him. While a diver was engaged today in recovering a torpedo buried in the mud of the harbour (Cherbourg), the mechanism suddenly started, and the propeller severed the air pipe of the diving apparatus. The diver, with great presence of mind, clung to the torpedo, which bore him to the surface. He was dragged into the boat by his astonished comrades, in an almost asphyxiated condition. After an hour or two he was revived.� New York Times -
1914 6 20 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "Diver Dies from Paralysis". Darwin, 23rd June, "A Japanese diver died from paralysis about midnight on Saturday onboard a lugger in Shoal Bay. He had just previously made three descents, on the last occasion being in the water for 15 minutes". The Bendigo Advertiser, Vic. -
1914 5 24 Not Recorded Australia Topsides "Lugger goes to bottom. Loss of Two Lives. The chief harbourmaster at Freemantle has been advised by the wharfinger at Broome that the lugger 'Eleanor' sank off Wallal after parting her moorings in a south-east gale. Two members of the crew, a Japanese diver and a Malay, were drowned. The balance of the crew, including a white man named Chapman who was in charge of the lugger, were picked up after being in the water 6 hours. Reported in the Kalgoolie Western Argus. -
1913 11 10 Mitchell Joe USA S/S Air Aged 35, diving off the Dredger “Tampa� off Hooker's Point, called out to recover a piece of the dredger's mooring equipment lost overboard but marked by a buoy. Several minutes into the dive, the maker buoy bobbed indicating the diver was using it as a signal line, surface began pulling on his lines but he was entangled in debris. Eventually bobbed to the surface feet first (Had removed foot weights), his suit was full of water, taken ashore but pronounced dead. “It is believed that he drowned head down�. Reported in the Evening Independent. -
1913 9 28 Saunders Australia 27 S/S Air British, reported as the last of the 13 men 'imported from England' remaining working in the pearling industry. After a dive, collapsed onboard the schooner and died of diver's paralysis. Adelaide Advertiser. Perth, Monday - A Broome telegram States that Saunders, the last of the white divers engaged there, died after working a fortnight in 15 fathoms of water. In that time he only brought up three-quarters of a hundredweight of shell, while the Japanese in the same time secured a ton. The Argus, Melbourne -
1913 6 20 Not Recorded Australia Francis and Co. 9 S/S Air "A Diver Drowned in full dress". "Perth, Friday, The Marine underwriters Assiociation, Perth, have received a wire from Broome to the effect that Francis and Co.'s lugger "Myrtle Olga' had capsised and sunk off Tapper's Inlet in 5 fathoms of water. The diver, it was further stated, was drowned whilst in full dress" Reported in the Bunbury Herald. -
1913 3 0 Beeseley Australia Robinson & Norman S/S Air “THE LAST ENGLISH DIVER�. Report reached Broome on Wednesday that diver Beesley working on one of Robinson and Norman's boats, and the last of the imported white divers, had died from paralysis at the Grave Yard, Sygnet Bayy and was buried there. It will be remembered that Beesley resolved, in an endeavor to make a success of his search for shell, to abandon the scientific methods in diving, take a colored tender, and dive for shell in a similar manner to that adopted by Asiatic divers. Reported in the Coolgarlie Miner, WA. NB Was not the ‘last white diver’, as Saunders died 5 months later in September 1913. -
1913 2 28 Putris John Australia S/S Air "South Australia, Two Divers Drowned, Failure of air pumps". "Adelaide, Friday, two divers naned Stevenson and Putris were today drowned at the Wallaroo Jetty Works owing to the failure of thc pumps which supplied air to them". The two men had only been in the water about three minutes when the tender noticed he was not receiving any signals.. Stevenson was brought up and was just breathing but expired immediately, Putris was hauled up dead. Reported in the North Western Advocate and Emu Bay Times. -
1913 2 28 Stevenson Frederick Australia S/S Air "South Australia, Two Divers Drowned, Failure of air pumps". "Adelaide, Friday, two divers naned Stevenson and Putris were today drowned at the Wallaroo Jetty Works owing to the failure of thc pumps which supplied air to them". The two men had only been in the water about three minutes when the tender noticed he was not receiving any signals.. Stevenson was brought up and was just breathing but expired immediately, Putris was hauled up dead. Reported in the North Western Advocate and Emu Bay Times. -
1912 8 16 West Edward Canada The Great Lakes Towing Company S/S Air Married with wife and amily in Port Huraon, Michigan, one of two divers in the waters of Lake Erie, four miles southeast of Port Burwell working under the overturned wreck of a sunken scow owned by the M. J, Hogan Company (Sank in May whilst loaded with stone, under tow by the steamer 'Lakeside'). Air was being pumped into the overturned hull, the two divers 'had gone down to see how work was proceeding when the scow, estimated to weigh 150 tons rolled over on top of them. One diver was pulled out by the combined efforts of 10 men but the body of West is still at the bottom of the lake". The Evening Recors -
1912 7 11 Coem Joseph France S/S Air "Diver killed by pressure. A diver named Joseph Cem has died at Toulon from the effects of too great a…." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Dundee Courier/The British Newspaper Archive -
1912 6 4 Not Recorded France S/S Air "While a diver was engaged in submarine work in the harbour at Toulon on June 4 he was attacked by a giant octopus weighing 135 lbs. The octopus wrapped its tentacles, 25 ft. in length, around the diver, and when the latter was hauled to surface he was unconscious. The diver could not be released until the octopus had been stabbed to death". Straits Times. Another reports states:- DIVER AND OCTOPUS. A Naval Diver at Toulon, in France, was suddenly attacked the other day by a giant octopus while under water in the harbour. He gave the hoisting signal and was hauled to the surface together with the octopus whose tentacles, said to be 25’ long, were wrapped round him. The diver was unconscious. The octopus held fast to the diver until it was stabbed to death. It weighed 135 lbs and the suckers on its tentacles were as big as five shilling pieces. Reported in the Evening News, Sydney. -
1912 5 8 Not Recorded Australia Topsides DIVER FINED. BROOME. May 8 “A white diver recently imported from England for pearling was fined £20, in default a month's imprisonment for having destroyed a leaf out of a ship's diary�. Reported in The Register, Adelaide, SA -
1912 0 0 Nowry RN Australia S/S Air In 1912, twelve ex-Royal Navy divers and tenders were brought from England to take over the diving from the Asians, whose presence conflicted with the “White Australia� policy in force at the time. William Webber, perhaps one of the world’s most famous divers, headed the group. Before the season was over, Webber, the most reliable of all divers, was dead. Another was paralysed, one had suffered partial paralysis, and all had withdrawn from the pearling fleet. The Japanese and Malay divers, and their employers, were jubilant. The Navy divers felt bitter and betrayed. At the subsequent Royal Commission, one of the Navy divers stated that they had been sabotaged, and that they were often taken to areas where the shells were depleted. That may have been true, but the Asian diver had to raise eight times as much shell as the Englishman, for the same wage. Nowry, the second in charge of the Royal Navy divers, recalled “We did well around the Banks group, but at depths I had never reached before, about 170 foot (51 m). I had a good shift and was back on deck, with the next run not being due for another 2 hours. My arms and shoulders began to ache with intense pain such as I had never experienced before. I went down 50 foot (15 m) or so and hung on by shot line. Gradually the pains left me, as the Malay skipper said they would. But I had diver’s paralysis and could not walk. Six months in hospital and I was back on my feet again, feet that could not get me back to civilisation quick enough.� He subsequently died from decompression sickness in Victoria, testing out a new diving suit. Rubicon Research Repository -
1912 0 0 Webber RN William Australia S/S Air "In 1912. William Webber, a darling of the British Diving Fraternity, lasted only 4 months in the waters off Broome before he suscumbed, apparently to the bends" One of 9 British Navy divers sent to Broome to "Claim the industry for the white man" White divers were not wanted, not because of goodwill towards the so-called Asiatics but because they threatened the wealth of the pearlers who could employ Asiatics for a pittance. His family were told his air hose had been cut and believe the master pearlers put a price on his head. Reading Eagle -
1911 6 10 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "A Pearling Tragedy. Four of the crew Drowned. The pearling lugger 'Neptune', carrying a crew five Japanese and one Manila man capsised while pearling off Melville Island this week and four of the crew were drowned including the Japanese diver who was below in his diving dress at the time of the accident. The 'Neptune', which was owned by Captain Edwards, is supposed to have been carrying too much sail at the time. The pearling season to date has been exceeedingly disappointing, (unreadable) water conditions prevailing throughout. Reported in the Advertiser, Adelaide. -
1911 2 1 Caisson incident USA Caisson Newark Bridge construction, lifting failure dropped load of rubble smashing caisson airlocks, 10 fatalities -
1911 1 11 Todd George New Zealand Rise and Shine Dredging Company S/S Air Making an inspection of the Rise and Shine Dredging Company's dredge that sank the previous week off Dunedin. "After he had been down a considerable time, those above realised that he gave no answer to their signals. Then he was pulled up and found to be dead". The inquest recorded a verdict of death from natural causes after medical evidence that his heart valves were affected and he died of the effects of heart disease. Northern Advocate, National Library of New Zealand -
1910 11 0 Josky Australia 33 S/S Air “CASUALTIES. DIVER'S DEATH. PORT DARWIN, November 17.— The body of a Japanese diver named Josky was brought in yesterday afternoon. It was in an advanced stage of decomposition, the man having died from diver's paralysis on Monday last, contracted while diving in 18 fathoms of water�. Reported in The Register, Adelaide -
1910 8 26 Mathewson RN Able Seaman James Edward UK Military 20 S/S Air Diver based at HMS Vernon, diving off the Navy vessel 'Redwing' (Tender, previously the war department's 'Sir Charles Pasley', transferred to the Royal Navy in 1905, sold in 1931) to investigate a seabed obstruction in the solent near the site where the A1 sank in 1904 (First British designed submarine, first of the A class submarines - an enlarged and improved 'Holland' class - sank with the loss of all 11 crew during a practice attack on HMS Juno when the conning tower was breached when she was run over by the Mail Steamer "SS Berwick Castle". She was refloated the same year and returned to service), reached the seabed and the repeatedly signalled for less air, then lost communications. Surface crew tried to pull him up but his lines were fouled (Although only diving in 11 fathoms they had paid out 200' of hose because of high currents and wanting to give the diver freedom to move about). They then manouvred the vessel and freed the lines bringing the diver to the surface 15 minutes later, but he was dead. Believed that his lines caught round the stump of an old mast and in an attempt to free himself had dropped his weights at which time he had floated towards the surface then held upside down by his lines and suffocated from lost air supply. "If he had waited perfectly quiet in deep water he could have been saved". They had a second diving dress on board but only had 50' of hose left so could not reach the diver. Inquest verdict was 'death from misadventure' with the coroner commenting that the diver's shipmates appeared to have done all that was possible in the circumstances. Wanganui Chronicle/Papers Past/National Library of New Zealand -
1910 4 21 Not Recorded Australia Topsides “JAPANESE DIVER'S FATE� Thursday Island, April 21. “A Japanese diver died to-day from an extraordinary accident. His lugger was changing ground and he attempted to cross the bows of another lugger, with the result that the bobstay of the other lugger caught him across the stomach while he was sitting in his diving dress on the deck-house. His spleen was split�. Reported in the Advertiser, Adelaide, SA -
1910 3 3 Deers Louis Australia Freemantle Harbour Trust S/S Air Searching for an anchor lost from the Currie liner "Itonus" diving from the launch 'Penguin'. 'Some time after the descent he failed to respond to signals and was at once raised to the surface. His gear was stripped off and he was seen to be in a bad way. A doctor was summoned who on examination of the body pronounced his life was extinct. The deceased leaves a wife and three children. Reported in The Kalgoorlie western Argus. -
1909 12 3 Not Recorded UK S/S Air "Fatal Diving accident. Engineer's sudden illness underwater. A sad accident which resulted in the …" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Dover Express/The British Newspaper Archive -
1909 9 16 Not Recorded Italy S/S Air "Delayed Dynamite Explosion causes death of three daring men". Ravenna, Italy, Dynamite placed to destroy old masonry in the harbour failed to explode, divers descended to investigate. The charges then exploded, killing three of them. Warsaw Daily Times (Warsaw, Indiana) -
1909 8 3 Hutton Tumbull UK Harbour board S/S Air Aged 60, living at 19 High Street, Burntisland, employed by the harbour board, lost his life while engaged in a diving operation. No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Angus Evening Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive -
1909 7 12 Swee Ong Singapore Sir John Jackson S/S Air Chinese diver, working near Johnston's Pier laying the foundations for a new sea wall for the Teluk Ayer reclamation. An iron ladder used for his ascent and descent became detached and fell on him breaking his back and cutting his head. He was pulled up, his diving dress was cut off and he was taken to hospital where he died. Straits Times -
1909 6 14 Not Recorded "One of two divers salving the Russian drowned yesterday.." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser/The British Newspaper Archive -
1909 3 8 Not Recorded UK Mersey Dock Board S/S Air "Diver drowned. Defective gear. The Liverpool Crown Coroner conducted inquest on Saturday concerning the eath of Mersey Dock Board …. " No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Mancheste Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser/The British Newspaper Archive -
1909 2 1 Crane James UK Topsides Diver James Crane and five others died while trying to remove wreckage of the ketch “Good Hope� on February 1, 1909. The part sunken ketch posed a hazard, Trinity House decided to blow it up from the steamer Argus which reached the wreck on February 1. Conditions were too rough to send down its diver, James Crane, to plant explosives, and instead it was decided to lower and “fire them by electric current,� Diver James Crane and five crewmen used the ship's small boat to reach the site above the ketch and lowered explosives, the fourth charge was to prove disastrous. Unbeknown to the Trinity House men, the ketch Good Hope's cargo was 12 tons of gelignite and three tons of geloxie. The catastrophe left 23 children fatherless. -
1908 12 14 Smith George USA 15 S/S Air Diving off the wrecking steamer W. H. Morse working on the wreck of the H. M. Whitney, the two sailors working his air pump had a fight over who was in charge ending with one unconscious with a fractured skull, the other rowing away. Other crew members turned out, found the unconscious sailor, started pumping but got no response on the diver's signal line. Pulled him to the surface, unconscious, hospitalised but survived. -
1908 11 7 Lund Martin USA S/S Air Headline "Fight with an Octopus". 'A San Francisco diver, had a desperate fight with a large octopus recently while searching the hold of a sunken vessel. Soon after he had descended the octopus seized his leg below the knee with a tentacle five inches in diameter. Almost immediately another tentacle encircled his thigh. The diver chopped frantically at the beast with his knife, and signaled by the lifeline to be raised to the surface. Two more tentacles slid out of the darkness, one of which gripped Lund’s neck. The efforts of the men on the surface to raise him threatened to drag off his helmet, and he was compelled to signal them to desist. Lund, who had only his left hand free, fought like a madman, hacking at the tentacles until he partially crippled his enemy. With a final effort the Octopus drew Lund to its mouth, and the diver repeatedly drove his knife into its head until it was dead. When Lund was dragged to the surface he was in a fainting condition. The octopus was afterwards raised, and was placed on exhibition'. Straits Times. -
1908 9 12 Newton UK Military S/S Air "Navy diver killed, Air pipe cut by warship cable. Navy diver met his death in a strange manner at Cromarty Firth on Saturday. Chief Carpenter…" "..tide, the diver's gear came into contact with the ship's cable, and was completely severed. Newton must have died immediately from...." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Cheltenham Chronicle/Derby Daily Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive -
1908 9 1 McLachlan Alexander Australia Topsides The ravages of the great blow off La Grange Bay have been repaired, and Broome has practically forgotten the incident. Widespread sympathy was ex-pressed with sufferers by the disaster, and in the case of Mrs. McLachlan, whose husband, the well-known Freemantle diver, was drowned off his own lugger, a sum of £200 was promptly raised and placed at her disposal. It came at a time of sore need, as she had just passed through a maternity ordeal, and the loss of the breadwinner was a terrible blow. Most of the vessels lost during the tornado have been replaced, and pearling operations are now in full swing. reported in The Western Australian, Perth. Suspected named report for diver killed in the storm reported in April of 1908. -
1908 9 0 Not Recorded Malta Navy S/S Air DIVER FALLS ASLEEP. An extraordinary story of a diver falling asleep underwater is reported from Malta. Some time ago when the battle ship Dreadnought was there, one of her seamen divers went below to clear her propeller of some flotsam but failed to come to the surface again. Signals by telephone and lifeline were sent to him without avail, and when some brushes and other things came to the surface it was feared that the man was dead. Another diver was then sent below, and found the other man asleep seated comfortably upon one of the giant propeller blades. Reported in The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, NSW -
1908 7 12 Mogg Joseph Australia McPherson 15 S/S Air Paraphrased from a report in the Northern territory times and gazette. “Inquiry held at the Court House into the cause of death of pearl diver Joseph Mogg, The lugger 'Ada' was anchored off Shoal Bay. His only experience was acquired recently in the Arru I Island pearling fleet. Had been down 30 minutes when the first length of piping, directly connected with the pump, burst on deck. It was about four minutes from the time the pipe burst until on diver was on surface, bleeding from his mouth and eats, possibly "diver was little bit alive." One witness stated that he had complained that the length of piping which burst was not good. The owner denied this (the same length of pipe had been used on the previous tide to 19 fathoms and stated that he had 22 years practical experience of pearling, and attributed present mishap to a flaw in the piping. “The life of piping with steel wires was about 4 years, and this piping had only been in use two and a half seasons. A diver who knew his business would at once close the air escape valve in his helmet. If that were done there was, according to the maker's specifications, enough air in the dress to keep a man alive for 15 minutes). The evidence showed that the valve had never been closed, and, in his opinion, “The diver had never tried to come up. In a precisely similar accident which bad taken place at Cape Keith four years ago, the diver had been brought up alive, and practically unhurt, from 21 fathoms of water.� The Jury found "That J. Mogg's death was caused by suffocation through an air pipe breaking, and that no blame is attachable to anybody." Also added a rider to following effect: " We are of opinion that the system of half yearly tests of diving gear should be carried out at Port Darwin under some responsible Government official." (This is the earliest recommendation for 6 monthly dive equipment inspection witnessed by a third party that I have found, pity it took us 70 or 80 years to catch on! TC..........) -
1908 6 0 Not Recorded UK S/S Air "Divers death underwater, fails to answer signal. Caledonian canal fatality. The authorities at Fort william have been appraised of a peculiar fatality which..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Dundee Courier/The British Newspaper Archive -
1908 4 0 Barringarra Australia Topsides Lugger and three lives lost. "Received following wire from Coxswain Fry, Condon:- Postmaster wires lugger 'Cleopatra' wrecked. Diver and two other drowned, four walking to Port Hedland. Constable leaving immediately to search for bodies. Also other wreckage between Condon and Wallal" Reported in the Daily News Perth, Perth after a big storm in late April that caused havoc with the pearling fleet. Is this the first report of the death of McLachlan (reported on storm article on 1/9/1908?) -
1908 2 9 Clarke Benjamin Ceylon S/S Air Aged 42, From Suffolk in England, arrived in Ceylon late 1907 from Dover with is wife and four year old daughter. In early January burst a blood vessel while working underwater on the Colombo breakwater extension and brought to the surface unconscious. After 10 days was able to walk, but had a relapse and died at the British India Hotel. His wife was in the General Hospital suffering from enteric fever during this time. Straits Times -
1908 1 12 Clarke John New Zealand 41 S/S Air Off Aukland, second diver to die (the other was Harper, 1907) working on the wreck of the Eligamite "A telegram from the Elingamite expedition states that the party is returning to Auckland, Diver Clarke having died at 10:30 last night. no further information is given. This is the second diver who has died while engaged in attempting to recover the gold lost in the Elingamite". Hawera and Normamby Star, National Library of New Zealand -
1908 0 0 Haldane John Scott UK Topsides Haldane, in conjunction with Arthur Boycott and Guybon Damant, publish "The Prevention of Compressed Airs", largely regarded as the landmark paper on the development of decompresion tables. Tables based on this paper were later adopted by the Royal Navy and used worldwide. -
1907 11 2 Caley William UK "Hull diver dies mad in the asylum. William Carey, the hull diver who had been engaged in salvage work the…." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in The Hull Daily Mail/The British Newspaper Archive -
1907 8 27 Leverettt UK "The torpedo wreck off Berry Head" " …act of diver Leverett, he died the following day. Yesterday the boat was successfully raised by the Deveonport dockyard riggers..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in TheExeter and Plumouth Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1907 7 20 Trapnell Walter UK Military 45 S/S Air Reported as “A government diver� at an inquest held in Torquay. Diving operation on the wreck of the RN Torpedo boat 99 sunk off Torbay. Became entangled and was cut free by another diver (Leverett) after 2 hours and twenty minutes. Spent 2 hours at 50' 'staging' brought to the surface alive but 'died as a result of his long immersion' in hospital. Reported in the Nelson Evening Mail -
1907 7 4 Tacoben or Jacobean UK "Diver named Tacobean (Faulty Scan? TC) died from sudden heart failure while he was underwater exploring the wreck of the Grosvenor, old..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1907 4 19 Ewing James USA S/S Air Diver from Boston, setting dynamite charges during the construction of the Vaughan Bridge in south Portland. Charge went off underneath him whilst he was still in the water 'which caused his death on the operating table at a hospital two and a half hours later' Lewiston Daily Sun -
1907 1 23 Harper New Zealand 41 S/S Air Off Aukland, attempting to recover gold from the wreck of the Eligamite. ""After three descents and securing 800 sovereigns, died suddenly", reported in the Camperdown Chronicle, Vic -
1906 5 21 Sajidoko Australia S/S Air Japanese, aged about 26, pearling off one of Captain Edward's luggers to the south of Melville island off Cape Gambier, drift diving, airlines snagged on an underwater obstruction and pulled apart at a coupling by the weight of the boat. The diver suffocated before he was hauled to the surface. Reported in the Northern TerritoryTtimes and Gazette -
1906 5 20 Kraming South Africa S/S Air Simonstown harbour, apparently drowned, helmet off (Siebe Gorman?). Captured in colour illustration on the front page of 'Le Petit Journal', now available as a retro-poster (allposters.com). Newspaper report dated 27th June regarding an inquest held in Simonstown into the death of a diver on the breakwater works. "Another diver named MacPhail was down at the same time, and whilst the two men were standing together MacPhail saw Kraming's helmet suddenly fly off. Kraming caught hold of MacPhail and pulled on the lifeline. Both men were drawn up to within 10 feet of the surface when the hauling stopped and MacPhail was forced to let go his hold with the result that Kraming fell to the bottom again and was drowned. It was conclusively proved that the helmet was properly ajusted when he left the boat to descend but there was no evidence to show how it became unfastened. The magistrate, in returning a verdict of 'death by drowning', commented somewhat severely on the methods prevailing at Sir John Jackson's works and expressed the opinion that an extra man should be furnished to each diver and that only reliable men should be employed on the work. It is said that such an occurrence is unparalleled in connection with diving operations". Straits Times. -
1906 4 11 May George Australia Topsides VICTORIA. MELBOURNE. April 12. “George May, a diver, residing at Footscray, was killed last night at Williamstown by being run over by a train. His body was found on the line this morning shockingly mutilated�. Reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner, WA -
1906 1 3 Mathie Jas. UK S/S Air " Diver's tragic death, diver Jas. Mathie, aged 60, while at work in the River Clyde Glasgow, last night, signalled for urgent attention. He…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in Dundee Courier/The British Newspaper Archive -
1905 8 29 Kitson? (John?) Frederick UK S/S Air "Diver dies underwater. While underwater Hartlepool on Tuesday night a diver named Frederick Kitpsn" (Assumed to be a scanning error, Kitson? TC)." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1905 6 4 Hayes Daniel USA S/S Air American, town of Keokuk in Iowa, clearing lake drainage pipe, sucked under the refuse and against a boulder, he and tangled hose trapped by differential pressure at around 15:00 hours on the 3rd of June. Rescued by two government works divers 24 hours later and pulled to the surface "unconscious and almost dying" -
1905 3 16 Beckett Australia Topsides “DIVER INJURED. The work of getting out the propeller of the wrecked RMS ‘Australia’ is proceeding satisfactorily, but during the operation today, a diver named Beckett was washed from the hull into the sea. He was rescued within a few minutes�. Reported in the Border Morning Mail and Riviera Times, Albury, NSW -
1905 1 21 Leach Charles UK S/S Air Described as a 'Shipwright diver', descended to clear potential obstructions prior to placing a caisson next to No 2 Devonport dock gates. His life line snapped, they tried pulling him up by his airline - which snapped. Second diver could not descend as his helmet would not screw down correctly, they found him another helmet but lost 25 minutes. A third diver also descended from the opposite side of the dock to aid in the search. Downed. Married with three children.. Feilding Star, Papers Past, National Library of New Zealand -
1904 12 18 Hatrickichi Sakamoto Australia Topsides Apparently murdered by two Malays. Data to add, TC -
1904 10 16 Baker Frances L USA Merrit and Chapman Wrecking Company S/S Air Niece of a A. P. Baker who died as a result of burns sustained in the sinking of the "Slocum". On his deathbed he told the family that in desperation he had thrown a tin full of valuable papers and bonds overboard. One of the documents was a warrant granted by the British Government for an estate in Scotland valued at $150,000. The girl is reported as being the first to descend in full diving gear (her father was also a diver) to commence the search. The operation was priced at $300 per day. -
1904 7 11 Not Recorded Australia 21 S/S Air “Diver's Terrible Fate. A diver at Boonton, New Jersey, a small village near Paterson, has met with a terrible fate. At Boonton there is a largo reservoir, and the diver was sent down for some purpose to the bottom of the great basin. He caught his foot in some manner at a depth of 70 feet under the surface, and signalled for help. As soon as possible, assistance was sent to him, and diver after diver went down, staying as long as possible in the hope of effecting his release. By Tuesday, the man had been 24 hours under water, and seven divers failed in their efforts to bring him up. Every effort was made to extricate him, and to cut away the obstruction that held his foot, but all the efforts were in vain, and late in the afternoon the signals that the diver had been making grew fainter, and finally ceased� Reported in The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Parmatta, NSW -
1904 6 17 Vessel "General Slocum" USA S/S Air Pleasure paddle steamship, caught fire and sank in east River, New York, 15/6/1904, loss of over 1,000 lives. Two days later, divers recovering bodies were endangered when sister ship, the "Grand Republic" ignored police and harbour official and made high speed close pass almost swamping the rescue boats. Decks full of cheering passengers in spite of groups of relatives on the shore waiting to identify bodies. -
1904 4 15 Ride John USA S/S Air The diver who blocked the valve and eventually recovered the body of William Hoar working upstream of it in the water flow. -
1904 4 13 Hoar William J USA 23 S/S Air Trapped by differential pressure on the mouth of a pipe in the Bointon resevoir (Jersey City Water Supply Co.), they kept pumping air to him for 96 hours. Led to calls for divers to be given telephone communications instead of signal rope -
1903 11 12 Kling A Singapore S/S Air Repair to the bottom plates (a problem discovered on her last voyage to Madras) of the SS 'Zamania' at Tanjong Pagar dock 'diver who went down was seized by a shark. His leg and arm were torn off and he died almost immediately' Straits Times -
1903 10 1 Saki Shiro Australia 26 S/S Air Japanese, aged about 24, pearling grounds at Cape Keith. After a dive lasting about 20 minutes spent 5 minutes on deck before complaining of feeling unwell, died 4 hours later. Reported in the Northern Territory Times and Gazette -
1903 9 1 Clarke George Australia Caisson Sydney, seabed investigation for the proposed North Shore bridge. Three man team working from a bell (Clarke, Dodds, Marling), four hour shift (Midnight to 04:00), at the end of their shift all three complained of feeling unwell, Clarke the worst. Quote:- “About 5.45 a.m. the licensee of the Fig tree Hotel heard someone groaning outside his premises. On investigating he found Clarke lying on the veranda in a critical condition- He carried the sufferer inside. Clarke, however, never rallied, and expired at 8.30 a.m. From the nature of his symptoms it is supposed that he succumbed to excessive air pressure� Adelaide Advertiser -
1903 9 1 Dodds Australia Caisson Sydney, seabed investigation for the proposed North Shore bridge. Three man team working from a bell (Clarke, Dodds, Marling), four hour shift (Midnight to 04:00), at the end of their shift all three complained of feeling unwell, Clarke the worst. Quote:- “About 5.45 a.m. the licensee of the Fig tree Hotel heard someone groaning outside his premises. On investigating he found Clarke lying on the veranda in a critical condition- He carried the sufferer inside. Clarke, however, never rallied, and expired at 8.30 a.m. From the nature of his symptoms it is supposed that he succumbed to excessive air pressure� Adelaide Advertiser -
1903 9 1 Marling Australia Caisson Sydney, seabed investigation for the proposed North Shore bridge. Three man team working from a bell (Clarke, Dodds, Marling), four hour shift (Midnight to 04:00), at the end of their shift all three complained of feeling unwell, Clarke the worst. Quote:- “About 5.45 a.m. the licensee of the Fig tree Hotel heard someone groaning outside his premises. On investigating he found Clarke lying on the veranda in a critical condition- He carried the sufferer inside. Clarke, however, never rallied, and expired at 8.30 a.m. From the nature of his symptoms it is supposed that he succumbed to excessive air pressure� Adelaide Advertiser -
1903 8 20 Santra Hiogo Australia S/S Air Diving Fatalities. BRISBANE. August 21. “A Japanese diver was killed whilst engaged in diving operations in the Missionary Passage, Thursday Island, through a pipe bursting. This makes the third fatality within a week. Reported in the Western Star and Roma Advertiser, Toowoomba, Qld FATALITIES AT THURSDAY ISLAND. The Treasurer has received a notification from the Inspector of Pearlshell Fisheries at Thursday Island, that the ‘Mabel’ had reported that a Japanese diver named Hiogo Santra was killed whilst diving in the Missionary Passage, through the pipe bursting. This makes the third fatality to Japanese divers in a week. A man from the lugger ‘Clifton’ died from paralysis at Kumusi, Missionary Passage, on 14th, and one from the lugger ‘Ivy’ from paralysis at Stephens Island on The 16th. Reported in the Brisbane Courier, Qld. -
1903 8 14 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air Diving Fatalities. BRISBANE. August 21. “A Japanese diver was killed whilst engaged in diving operations in the Missionary Passage, Thursday Island, through a pipe bursting. This makes the third fatality within a week. Reported in the Western Star and Roma Advertiser, Toowoomba, Qld FATALITIES AT THURSDAY ISLAND. The Treasurer has received a notification from the Inspector of Pearlshell Fisheries at Thursday Island, that the ‘Mabel’ had reported that a Japanese diver named Hiogo Santra was killed whilst diving in the Missionary Passage, through the pipe bursting. This makes the third fatality to Japanese divers in a week. A man from the lugger ‘Clifton’ died from paralysis at Kumusi, Missionary Passage, on 14th, and one from the lugger ‘Ivy’ from paralysis at Stephens Island on The 16th. Reported in the Brisbane Courier, Qld. -
1903 8 1 Gunderson Charles USA S/S Air American, repairing a Boat, Reported as “Dashed to River's Bottom. HELMET IS BENT ON HIS HEAD. Accident While Repairing Propeller of the Disabled Eastland. Engines Are Started Up. Hard to Remove Helmet�. Reported in the Chicago Daily Tribune -
1903 6 23 Antisevitch France S/S Air "Death of a diver, Marseilles. While divers were at work on the steamer 'Liban" this morning, one of them, name Antisevitch…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Derby Daily Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive -
1903 5 15 Abdullah Ahamat Australia S/S Air "The Treasury Department has received advice that Ahamat Abdullah, a Malay diver, was drowned at Thursday Island throught the pipeline bursting" Reported in the Morning Post, Cairns. -
1902 8 20 Not Recorded Malta Military S/S Air "A diver's death. How a missing torpedo cost a life. A few days ago, HMS Barham (Third class cruiser launched in 1899, scrapped in 1914) was at torpedo practice outside the harbour at Malta.." . No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Angus evening Post/The British Newspaper Archive -
1902 4 18 Lawson Edward UK Mersey Dock Board S/S Air "Diver drowned. A diver, Edward Lawson, in the employ of the Merseydock board met with a terrible death on Friday. He was searching…." "Diver's Fearful Death. Inquest held at Liverpool yesterday upon Edward Larsen, 38, who met his death..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Cornishman/The British Newspaper Archive -
1901 9 24 Chomatza Australia A. E, Jolly and Co 24 S/S Air Paraphrased from newspaper report at the time in the Northern Territory Times and Gazette “Early this week the pearling lugger "Beryl" returned to port with a sick diver and was dispatched out to the grounds again with a try diver named Chomatza in charge. Strangely enough the same boat again made her appearance in the harbour on Wednesday morning, and the dead body of the try diver, was brought ashore by the crew, and carried to the Japanese lodging house. ~ The 'matter was reported to the police, but it was not considered necessary to hold any inquest. The diving gear was found to be sound and apparently in good working order. According to the crew, the boat was at work off Shoal Bay and the diver, had been down several times in 11 to 14' fathoms of water. He usually stayed down about 15 minutes, but about 2 pm, he gave the signal to be hauled up after being down only about five minutes. He was hauled up very quickly and instructed the tender to take off his dress and after to heave up anchor and go into Shoal Bay. A few minutes later the tender discovered him sitting in his bunk in the cabin, with teeth tightly, clenched, unable M speak. He had not complained of feeling ill and uttered no cry. The tender administered some medicine taken by divers in such cases, but after a comparatively brief interval the unfortunate fellow was found to be dead. There is not the slightest doubt that, many of these diving fatalities are the outcome, of carelessness or ignorance on the part of the men engaged, the implicit instructions given by the best authorities being notoriously neglected in one important particular, i.e., regarding the time to be taken in ascending and descending. As a rule, when divers give the signal to be drawn up, they are rushed to the surface as quickly as two men hauling upon the life line can bring them, and it is this practice, resulting in a rapid change from heavy water to atmospheric pressure, which has caused more attacks of divers paralysis on the local grounds than the depth, which, as a rule, is shallow compared with other places. -
1901 6 14 Anderson Martin USA Rodgers Salvage 18 S/S Air American, reported as asphyxiated, heavy bleeding from eyes nose, probably nicked hose, lost air, squeeze, differential pressure. -
1901 3 28 Not Recorded Australia Topsides “Another Chinaman died of dysentery in Palmerston Chinatown on Thursday night last. A Japanese diver died on Thursday from, we believe, the same cause�. No details. Reported in the Northern Territory Times and Gazette -
1901 2 20 Eulogio Australia Topsides "The diving lugger 'Esme' capsised in a squall near Cairncross Island. A Philippino diver named Eulogio was drowned, but the remainder of the crew escaped. Eulogio was on deck with all his diving dress on except the helmet when the squall struck" Reported in the Brisbane Courier. -
1900 11 23 Not Recorded UK Military S/S Air "Naval diver's death. Diving in support of the Battleship Howe (Admiral class battleship launched in 1885), died shortly after recovering a…" Presumed to be a report on the death of Alexander Virco (TC) No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Portsmouth Evening News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1900 11 13 Roderick John Australia S/S Air "A Death. A well Known Diver, John Roderick, met with his death at Mort's Dock. He was engaged in a .." "..that the diver was in a serious position. He was quickly released, but when pulled to the surface found to be dead, having been.." "A diver drowned, aged 56, a married man with 7 children, employed as a diver at Mort's Dock, Palmain, was working under a steamer yesterday when the air pipe attached to his helmet became jambed and he was drowned" Reported in the Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW) -
1900 8 14 Not Recorded UK "Diver Killed By Sluice Valve. In the Lady Windsor Dep Dock at Barry Docks. On Tuesday, a diver…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Western Mail/The British Newspaper Archive -
1900 5 25 Not Recorded UK "Tragic death of a diver. Last night the steamer 'Fawn', which had been at the steam liner "Dewdrop" of Aberdeen, which was wrecked at the Swarf, Stronsay,..." (Fishing liner 'Dewdrop' went ashore at Linga Sound, Stronsay, in a storm, refloated and put back into service). No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Angus Evening Post/The British Newspaper Archive -
1900 3 5 Obashi Seihachi Australia S/S Air "The Under Secretary to the Treasury has been informed that the lugger ‘Nautilus’, which arrived at Thursday Island on the 10th, reports that a Japanese diver named Seihachi Obashi was drowned near Darnley on the 5th instant through the air-pipe breaking while he was diving". The Brisbane Courier, Qld -
1900 1 5 Helfricht Leopold Christian UK " The sinking of the Patria, Helfricht, a German diver, who was drowned in the sinking of the Patria on Thursday, Captain Spruth, who directed the salvage operation near Deal (Kent) said..." "..Chief diver has been drowned and the body recovered. Two of his attendants were drowned, and two Deal.." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the York Herald/The British Newspaper Archive -
1900 0 0 Virco Alexander Joseph S/S Air Extraordinary death of a diver. … held an inquiry at Wimbledon concerning the death of Alexander Joseph Virco, aged 37 years..." Report dated Saturday 1st December 1900. No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Illustrated Police News News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1899 10 30 Massan Australia 29 S/S Air Paraphrased from an article in the Northern Territory Gazette and Times:- “On Tuesday afternoon the (Sailing) lugger 'Electra' came into port in tow of the launch 'Victoria'. Soon after it was known in town that the diver engaged on board, a Japanese better known as Massan amongst his countrymen, had been drowned. At the inquest, which was held at the Court House, Palmerston, on Tuesday afternoon, it was stated that the 'Electra' was working about seven miles west of the Vernon at about 8 o'clock in the morning when the mishap occurred. A little before eight Massan went down and commenced looking for shell. He had been down about a quarter of an hour when the tender signalled him, but received no answer. This aroused his alarm, and he at once had the diver' drawn up. Massan came up feet foremost, and it was then seen that he had lost his helmet. When drawn up on deck and the dress taken off it was found that he was quite dead. Everything was done that was possible under the circumstances, but all without avail, and Capt. Mugg decided to up anchor and come into Port Darwin. As the wind was not by any means a fair one Mr. C. Hamarau, owner of the launch Victoria, kindly volunteered, to tow the lugger into port. Captain Mugg informs us that the diver was working on a very uneven bottom, the water varying in depth from ten to sixteen fathoms, and it is supposed that in going into a deep hole from the 10 fathom level he slipped and fell, and going down head foremost must have struck the helmet against a rock, knocking it off. The jury found that the deceased came to his death by drowning, and that no blame war attached to any one� -
1899 10 23 Gorry UK S/S Air "Manx boating disaster, death of a diver, a diver named Gorry made a search off Port Erin for the bodies of Mr Hassall a Liverpool Stockbroker, his son and 2 boatmen whose boat capsised on Saturday off Port Erin..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Shields Daily Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1899 8 18 Baldwin William USA 45 S/S Air Second attempt to reach the wreck of the British ship 'Andelana' lying in 190' of water near Tacoma Harbour. “Death was due to some accident in the pumping gear which supplied the air� Reported in the Evening Telegram -
1899 7 17 Richardson UK "The drowning of a Tyne diver. Salvage of a steam wherry ("Borthwick"?) near Breadnell. Yesterday, the body of a South Shields diver named…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Carlisle Patriot/Shields Daily Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1898 12 6 Brennan USA Military Topsides Headline “SUBMARINE MINE EXPLODES. Four Men Killed in Boston - Three of Them Are Blown Into Irrecoverable Fragments�. Four men were killed and several seriously injured at Fort Independence, on Castle Island, in Boston Harbor this afternoon, by the explosion of a mine which had been removed from the channel. Those killed were Sergt. Morris McGrath, Hiram Vaughn, Private Brennan, (a diver.) and a man named Ryan. The accident occurred about 2 o’clock. Vaughn, Brennan, and Ryan had placed the mine on a cart, and started to take it to the place where the other ammunition was stored, when from no apparent cause the mine burst. The horse and cart and the three men were blown to fragments. Sergt. McGrath was standing fully twenty feet away. He was instantly killed by the concussion. His body does not bear a mark of any sort. As soon as possible after the explosion, a careful search was begun by Lieut. Raymond, who had charge of removing the mines, but not a fragment of the three men or their clothing could be found. Lieut. Raymond says that he cannot explain how the explosion occurred. He says that since the order was issued from Washington hundreds of mines have been handled in precisely the same way as was this one and transported over the same road, and no harm had resulted. Ryan was a civilian, assisting in the work. Vaughn was a member of the Engineer Corps. Sergt. McGrath was the keeper of the island, and was well known throughout Boston and its vicinity. New York Times -
1898 10 9 Ker Australia Topsides "A pearl diver named Ker was stabbed to death by a Malay at Ciossack, a northern port" Marlborough Express. -
1898 7 18 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "AnotherJapanese diver has lost his life diving in the deep water at Burke Island' Barrier Miner, NSW, Australia -
1898 5 0 Nanosaki Hinado Philippines S/S Air Japanese diver died from 'paralysis', no details. Reported in the Brisbane Courier -
1898 4 8 Johnson Chief Gunner's Mate USA Military S/S Air Hull inspection dive under the gunboat “Newport�. Reported as “The only exciting incident here today was of a tragic character� “met with sudden death from asphyxiation, exact cause unknown, but it is thought the air pipe became entangled in some way. As he gave no signals he was drawn up, when he was found to be dead�. -
1898 3 29 Richmond? Edwin Arthur UK S/S Air "Fatality to Dock Board Diver. Mr. Samson, City Coroner held inquest today into the death of Edwin Arthur Ruthrrtmd (Assumed to be scanning error, actually Richmond" TC), aged 39, diver..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Liverpool Echo/The British Newspaper Archive -
1898 3 22 Williams Henry Cuba Merritt Wrecking Company S/S Air American, one of the divers on the tug "Chief" died Havana from chronic haemorrhage of the stomach "It was not unexpected. Mr Collins was ill before he left the United States" -
1898 0 0 Campbell George USA Baltimore Wrecking Company Chamber Salvage operation recovering the cargo of the sunken steamer 'Pewabic' in Thunder Bay off Milwaukee. Working from a bell with partner Peter Olsen. Both men drowned when one of the glass ports failed -
1897 12 0 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air “Another Japanese diver in Torres Straits his died from paralysis caused by deep diving.� No details. Reported in the Brisbane Courier -
1897 10 22 Kitchee Australia S. T. Brown 29 S/S Air Japanese pearl diver aged 25, working off Cape Keith from the steam lugger 'Maggie'. Fell ill on deck, was removed from his diving dress and immediately became worse, died some 12 hours later from 'diver's paralysis'. Quote “At that depth the average good diver would not expect to be paralysed� Reported in the Northern Territory Times and Gazette -
1897 7 7 Imoto Australia Topsides The "Torres Straits Pilot" says the lugger ‘Mamoose’, owned by Maeshiba was upset in a squall on the morning of the 7th instant, off the island of Moa, and the men on board were thrown into the water. There were six of them, all Japanese, and the diver, Imoto, was drowned. An inquiry into the matter was held before Mr. Douglas, on Thursday, The North Queensland Register, Townsville, Qld. -
1897 6 5 Jurson A UK S/S Air "Diver's death underwater. A diver named Jutson of Ramsgate, who was engaged for a considerable time on Saturday in operations in…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Hull Daily Mail/The British Newspaper Archive -
1897 4 8 Harvey UK " A diver suffocated on Thursday, engaged in diving operations from the drillship 'Beta' in connection with the dredging of Plymouth harbour, had been under..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Portsmouth Evening News/The British Newspaper named Harvey Archive -
1897 2 25 Olsen Albert M USA Baltimore Wrecking Company S/S Air “A driver in the employ of the Baltimore Wrecking Company, died suddenly yesterday while he was under water in a diving suit in the channel of the Patapsco river, off Sparrow's Point. "Heart disease is supposed to have caused his death� (Quote from his employer......) -
1897 2 0 Madsen C Australia 48 S/S Air Danish, testing new diving gear (Engine driven air compressor ) from the steamer 'Swansea'. Diver keen to get full working depth of 30 fathoms but only had water depth of 29 fathoms. Attempt aborted when current was too strong, relocated inside harbour where there was a maximum water depth of 26 metres. Reduced air supply pressure from 40 psi to 1o 10 psi and then to 4 psi (on instruction from diver). Sank from sight. After no signals for 15 minutes (Although his attendant said he received signals until 3 minutes before he was recovered), he was hauled up (which took another 8 minutes), Unconscious, took another 5 minutes to get him out of his suit which was found to be a quarter full of water. Onboard doctor attending but did not respond. They concluded that 4 psi was not enough to maintain air flow at 26 fathoms (174') and that water had flooded his suit. Nelson Evening Mail -
1897 0 0 Not Recorded USA Tom and James Reid 32 S/S Air Salvage of the Cayuga (Sailing from Milwaukee to Buffalo, sank 10th May 1895 on the Great Lakes after a collision with the wooden lumber hooker "Joseph L Hurd" in fog southwest of Grays Reef light, near the Skillagalee Shoals. No loss of life, both crews rescued by the steamer "Mamola"). Because the "Cayuga" was a new steel vessel, the salvage company spent nearly 4 years and nearly bankrupted themselves trying to salvage her. "One diver was crushed to death so badlythat could not remove his helmet" The wreck now lies in 100' of water still attached to four of the pontoon used in the salvage attempt. shipwreckexplorers.com -
1897 0 0 Olson Peter USA Baltimore Wrecking Company Chamber Salvage operation recovering the cargo of the sunken steamer 'Pewabic' in Thunder Bay off Milwaukee. Working from a bell with partner George Campbell. Both men drowned when one of the glass ports failed -
1896 12 26 Hobbs RN Mediterranean Navy "Death of a Naval Diver. News has been received from HMS Anson (Pre-deadnought battleship commissioned 1889, broken up in 1909 on Mediterranean Station that leading shipwright Hobbs, of that vessel, while diving for a lost anchor..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Worcester Journa/The British Newspaper Archive -
1896 9 30 Storey William - entry 1 of 3 UK John Gibney and Co. Master Divers, Chapel Street, Liverpool 4 S/S Air Aged 53, experienced diver, initially reported as 'Met his death whilst at wotk'. Hornby dock, Liverpool, working on the vessel 'Gulf of Taranto'. He was placing a sealing pad over a valve inlet diffuser on a vessel hull, differential pressure incident (arm pulled into hull when the valve was removed because the diffuser was mounted on the valve not the hull). They managed to pull him free but he was unconscious when recovered to deck, taken to Bootle hospital, but failed to respond to treatment. Coroner’s verdict:- Suffocated. Reported in the Liverpool Mercury. See following two entries below for more detail.<br />http://www.old-merseytimes.co.uk/deathsandinquests1896.html -
1896 9 30 Storey William - entry 2 of 3 UK John Gibney and Co. Master Divers, Chapel Street, Liverpool 4 S/S Air William Storey, the incident:- Liverpool diver William STOREY, of 8 Toxteth St, a man of middle age and great experience, was engaged in the pursuance of his risky occupation when he met with his death under strange and peculiar circumstances. STOREY was working with two other men at the steamship ‘Gulf of Taranto’ lying in the Hornby Dock. The valve in the hull of the vessel required repair, and to enable this work to be carried out it was necessary that a "pad" should be fixed on the hull, so that the valve might be removed for repair without risking the flooding of the ship. This is the work that STOREY had to accomplish. A platform was lowered alongside the vessel, and STOREY, properly equipped in his diving-suit, went below. He signalled to the man in charge of the life-line to lower the stage. The next signal called for the "pad" A few minutes after the "pad" was lowered, yopsides received the signal "All right" which meant that the valve could be removed any moment. On board the vessel was the superintendent engineer of the Gulf Line of steamers, and as soon as the word was received from the divers the valve was unscrewed he called attention to the fact that the "pad" was leaky. Water was spurting in then the next moment a portion of the pad and the diver's arm were forced through the aperture. About this moment STOREY signalled to be drawn up, but the pressure of the water increased tremendously by the suction through the now open valve, jammed him tight against the vessel, and hauling him to the surface proved a matter of great difficulty. Mr M'KAY forced the diver's arm out through the aperture again, but the combined efforts of three men, instead of the customary one were necessary before the poor fellow was got out of the water. Storey was then unconscious and apparently dead, the sleeve of his diving-dress considerably torn, having been damaged by the violence with which his arm had been forced through the valve hole. When his headgear was removed it was found that he had been bleeding badly from the ears. The Bootle Fire Brigade horse ambulance was promptly summoned and STOREY was taken to Bootle Hospital. Upon arrival he was examined by the house-surgeon, who pronounced life extinct. Appearances hardly point to drowning and it seems more probable the unfortunate diver was either suffocated when his dress was torn open at the sleeve, or that the life was crushed out of him against the side of the vessel when the valve was removed without the "pad" apparently being properly secured -
1896 9 30 Storey William - entry 3 of 3 UK John Gibney and Co. Master Divers, Chapel Street, Liverpool 4 S/S Air er was fast in some way, he called the man tending the air pipe even with his help it was impossible to raise the diver. He asked for assistance from a flatman with the combined efforts of the three of them they managed to raise the diver. Witness rapidly took off the diver's mouthpiece and saw STOREY was apparently dead. The deceased was at about 12ft under the water and from the time the signal came to pulling him up only minutes had elapsed. The Coroner elicited the information that the ship's hull was covered with a perforated metal rose, after the style of a rose on a watering can. Witness said, this rose was normally affixed to the skin of the vessel but in the present case it was affixed to the valve, this was important and the diver ought to have been told of it. Had witness known of it he would have used a wooden plug to stop up the hole instead of a pad to cover it. The hole was six inches in diameter. The post mortem results were that the skin of the deceased was a dusky colour. Blood had oozed from the right ear and there was a large bruise on the upper part of the left forearm and elbow. There were no broken bones or injuries that might have caused death. The vessels of the brain were congested but the brain tissue healthy. The lungs were very much congested and there was a good deal of mucus in the bronchial tubes. The small air vessels of the lungs were ruptured by the efforts to inspire. The heart was flabby and rather fatty, the valves being more or less closed, especially the mitrial and aortic. The blood throughout the body was a dark colour, a marked indication of suffocation. The cause of death was suffocation. The Coroner then addressed the jury, summing up the evidence and pointing out it was for them to decide whether any one was criminally liable for the death of the diver, they could express an opinion as to what led up to the suffocation which according to the medical evidence was the direct cause of death, or they could leave that point alone. After deliberation in private the jury found that death was due to suffocation, but how that was brought about they were unable to say. The funeral was reported as:- The remains of William STOREY, Diver, were interred yesterday morning in Toxteth Park Cemetery in the presence of a large number of friends. The deceased who was an experienced diver unfortunately met his death last Wednesday while working on the steamship Gulf of Taranto in the Hornby Dock. The coffin was covered with beautiful wreaths and the brass shield bore the inscription, "William STOREY, died September 30. 1896, aged 53 years� -
1896 7 13 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air Thursday Island (Provincial Press Agency), July 13. "The lugger 'Muriel' has returned to port with the body of a Japanese diver who had died from paralysis while working in too deep water, making the second death from the same cause". Warwick Argus, Qld -
1896 6 15 Ralno Peter Australia S/S Air "Thursday Island, June 15, Peter Ralno, a diver, was drowned today through the air pipe becoming fouled on the bottom". Reported in the Chronicle, Adelaide -
1896 5 19 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air “A report from Thursday Island states that a diver of the lugger 'Elen' has died of diving paralysis, off Darnley Island, making the second death from the same cause on the same vessel within three months�. Reported in the West Australian. -
1896 3 30 Not Recorded Australia Almond Surface Swimmer On board a cutter owned by Mr. Almond, 11 o'clock at night: "Fearing they would be murdered, the diver gave a signal to the Japanese trader and they both jumped overboard. They swam near each other and when the dinghy approached, the men therein knocked the diver with a paddle so that he drowned. As the dinghy approached the trader he dived, and being an expert swimmer he eluded his pursuers and eventually swam to a small island near West Island after about 11 hours swimming". He lived on shellfish for four days until rescued by a Manilla cutter that took him to Thursday Island. "It is quite possible that he and the diver fancied that they were in trouble, but without any foundation for the belief, for it seems clear that the trader avoided the dighy from false fear. An inquiry is being held". Reported in the Argus, Melbourne. -
1896 3 6 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "Japanese Divers - Another killed" By Telegraph to Brisbane, March 6th. "Another Japanese pearl diver near Thursday Island has died from the effects of diving in deep water near Cape Granville". Reported in the Western Star and Roma Advertiser, Toowoomba, Qld. -
1895 12 14 Grant George Australia S/S Air "A diver named George Grant was drowned whilst proceeding with his occupation at Townsville, Queensland, on Saturday. He went down with the faceplate of his diving suit off". Another report says "through his faceplate somehow becoming detached". Reported in the Northern Argus (Clare, SA). Another report states:-A Diver Drowned. BRISBANE, Monday. — A wire from Townsville states that George Grant, a diver, who has been in Government employ for twenty-seven years, met his death very mysteriously on Saturday. He was engaged in clearing the anchor of a punt, and as he stopped down for more than three minutes without making any sign, his mates became anxious, and hauled him up. He was then found to have been drowned. The face-piece, of his diving suit had either fallen off or been, torn away in some unexplainable away. The unfortunate fellow leaves a wife and nine children. He was a prominent member of the local Naval Brigade, and was accordingly buried with naval honors on Sunday. Evening News, Sydney -
1895 12 0 Not Recorded Australia Topsides Thursday island. “A diver named John Anderson reported on Saturday that three mainland natives, who formed part of the crew of his lugger Dart, mutinied when anchored out of sight of all land to the westward of Badu. The balance of the crew was composed of two Malays and one Cooktown native. Just before daylight the three Binghies attacked the two Malays and Anderson with shell-knives. Anderson grappled with his man, and both fell overboard, but Anderson got safely back to the lugger. The Cooktown native assisted the Malays, and eventually the two assaulters were either thrown or jumped overboard. The three natives were evidently afraid to attempt to return to the lugger, and relied for deliverance upon the extremely remote chance of reaching some land. If they were saved it would be little short of a miracle�. The Brisbane Courier -
1895 12 0 Not Recorded Australia 26 S/S Air “The pearling lugger 'Waterlily' returned to port on Saturday with the body of a Japanese diver who had died from the effects of diving in about fourteen fathoms of water off the 'Warrior reef. He was a young diver� The Brisbane Courier -
1895 11 29 Not Recorded UK "The wreck of the Dorian, diver was drowned whilst assisting the work of removing the cargo.." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Shields Daily Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1895 10 21 Not Recorded Divers and Diving. ..before the divers who could reach the treasure room beneath the three decks. Two diver lost there lives in the vain attempt, the .." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Shields Daily Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1895 9 10 Diegon Australia S/S Air THURSDAY ISLAND, Tuesday. “A Manilla diver named Diegon died at Darnley Island from paralysis, caused by diving in deep water. The Northern Miner, Charters Towers, Qld. -
1895 8 0 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "A Japanese diver of the lugger 'Pero' was drowned near Ka Moos reef while diving in fifteen fathoms of water. His diving gear fouled at the bottom. It was blowing a heavy south-east gale at the time". Reported in The Sydney Evening News -
1895 7 19 Chobe Australia S/S Air "A Japanese diver named Chobe died from the effects of paralysis while diving in about 20 fathoms of water". Reported in the Evening News, sydney, NSW. -
1895 7 18 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air Thursday Island, July 18. "A Japanese diver has died as a result of working in water which was too deep" Reported in the Advertiser, Adelaide. Dual report for Chobe on July 19th? -
1895 3 13 Connor? Gibraltar Military S/S Air "Naval diver drowned while searching for an iron chute lost overboard at Gibraltar on the 3rd March" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Portsmouth Evening News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1894 8 28 Not Recorded Australia 13 S/S Air "A Thurday Island telegram states that another Japanese diver has been drowned while working in 7 fathoms of water off Bada Island". South Australian Register. "The air pipe burst, and the diver, being inexperienced, failed to come to the surface, and the tender failed to haul him up until it was too late". The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton. "The pump and piping used were made in Japan" Reported in the Sydney Morning herald -
1894 8 0 Not Recorded UK Military S/S Air "Man of War Diver drowned, ..aid of divers, but several divers sent from various ships of the squadron were employed to search for the torpedo from the Benbow..." (HMS Benbow was an Admiral class battleship launched in June 1885 serving with the mediterranean fleet until 1891, held in reserve until 1894, then served as a guardship at Greenock, scrapped in 1909). No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald/The British Newspaper Archive -
1894 5 12 Gurr (or Gun?) Alfred Henry UK S/S Air "Shocking accident. A man named Alfred Henry Gurr, living in Buckland, who was employed at new harbour works as a diver, met with..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald/The British Newspaper Archive -
1894 5 9 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "Another Japanese diver was drowned at Thursday Island on Wednesday" Reported in the Colac Herald, Vic -
1894 4 0 Lynch Ben Australia S/S Air Thursday Island, April 6. "A coloured diver died at Darnley Island last week as a result of diving in deep water". Reported in the South Australian Register, Adelaide, SA. -
1894 1 22 Nelson David UK S/S Air Yesterday afternoon a diver, named David Nelson, elderly man, residing at Kings Wear met with a singular death whilst engaged in his occupation in Dartmouth Harbour..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1894 0 0 Fairchild USA New York Dock Department S/S Air Killed in an underwater explosion when setting dynamite charges on new pier 14, North River, New York. -
1893 12 9 Gray Thomas USA S/S Air Described as 'an inexperienced diver' working on the wreck of the Pelican off Ashtabula (A schooner that sank in May 1893, of the crew of 7, 3 were lost, two injured). Descended to the wreck at 2 pm, sent up distress signals an hour later, but could not be pulled up. Surface crew telegraphed for a rescue diver. Distress signals ceased around 6 pm. Rescue diver, Edwin Welsh, arrived and went down around 9 pm and found that Gray had fallen though a hatch and become entangled in wires. Recovered to surface but found to be dead. “The air connections were all right and there was no water in his suit. Gray either died of fright or chills� New York Times -
1893 11 0 Corpus Antonie Australia S/S Air "Death of a Diver". Thursday Island, November 6. "A Manila diver named Antonie Corpus died a few days ago from working in deep water at Darnley Island, where the boats are still working, the crews being unaware of the issue of the Government proclamation closing the grounds. He was working as a relief diver on the lugger 'Zanco'. South Australian Register, Adelaide, SA -
1893 11 0 Not Recorded Spain S/S Air Salvaging the wreck of the steamer "Cabo Machichaco" which exploded (Carrying a mixed cargo including dynamite) in Santander Harbour in November 1893. Divers had reported that as they salvaged the cargo they wre getting close to the remaining dynamite but it was supposed that the explosive had lost its power after so many weeks in the water. Three divers were down with a support boat carrying 7 men over the location, around 50 men were working on the nearby docks when the cargo exploded killing the divers and men on the boat, a further 30 were reported as seriously injured. New York Times -
1893 10 20 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "Two divers were brought to Thursday Island from Darnely Island paralysed, but both are expected to recover. A Manilla diver named Leon died there on October 17th, making the fourth victim during the few days. The Hon J. Douglas at Darley, is reported to have issued a notice to divers warning them against diving deeper than 20 fathoms. It is asserted that they frequently go down 30 fathoms for a few moments". Wanganui Herald, National Library of New Zealand -
1893 10 17 Leon Australia S/S Air "Two divers were brought to Thursday Island from Darnely Island paralysed, but both are expected to recover. A Manilla diver named Leon died there on October 17th, making the fourth victim during the few days. The Hon J. Douglas at Darley, is reported to have issued a notice to divers warning them against diving deeper than 20 fathoms. It is asserted that they frequently go down 30 fathoms for a few moments". Wanganui Herald, National Library of New Zealand -
1893 9 5 Buffett Young Australia S/S Air DEATHS AT THURSDAY ISLAND. THURSDAY ISLAND, Tuesday.-A Norfolk Island diver named Young Buffett, died last week. He had open diving off Darnley Island, and when the face of the glass was taken off he stopped the crew from taking off his sand asked to be laid down, as he was dying. He then expired. He went to the Darnley Island grounds strongly against his friends' wishes. Reported in the Australian Town and Country Journal, NSW -
1893 9 4 Hoy George Australia S/S Air or 'Bendigo Advertiser' -
1893 8 20 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air Thursday Island, Sunday. "Another Manila diver has died in the hospitalfrom the effects of diving in deep water" The Argus, Melbournes, Vic. -
1893 8 10 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "Quern Island". Thursday Island, August 15. "Another Manilla diver died in hospital last Thursday through diving in deep water off Thursday Island. He had been an inmate of the Hospital for nearly a fortnight. A second Manila diver is now in hospital paralysed beyond hope of recovery through working in the same locality". Zeehan and Dundas Herald, Tas. -
1893 8 3 Peter Australia S/S Air "A man named Peter, who was known as the most adept diver on the coast, has been drowned in diving dress, whilst engaged in shelling. His life line coiled around a projecting rock and, the boat drifting before he could get it free, the air air pipe broke. The deceased was under 40 minutes before the accident was discovered. Reported in the West Australian, Perth. -
1893 6 22 Kavanagh Lebanon Military "The lost battleship" (Collision between HMS Camperdown and HMS Victoria which sank in 13 minutes near Tripoli with the loss of 358 crew. Appears that divers were involved in trying to close watertight doors on the Camperdown - which survived the collision. "Diver Kavanagh was drowned while engaged in cutting off the dress (Loaded with lead) of…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Coventry Evening Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive -
1893 6 2 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "Death of Another Diver". Thursday Island, Monday (In a paper dated Monday 5th June). It is reported that another diver, a native of Manilla, died Friday night through working deep water off Darnley Island. He belonged to Kell's Station. Several cases of paralysis have also occurred. Evening News, Sydney, NSW. May be a double report of one of the other fatalities? -
1893 5 10 Rosa Ullalio Australia 36 S/S Air Diving off the Thursday Islands from the lugger 'Monday' owned by the Wal Wear Station. After 5 dives removed gear and immediately complained of feeling unwell. Lay in bunk with a cup of tea having a smoke but his condition suddenly deteriorated, became unconscious and finally died. Inquiry concluded that he died of diver's paralysis. Reported in the Brisbane Courier -
1893 5 10 Wahoo Johnnie Australia 36 S/S Air From Honolulu, diving off the Thursday Islands from the pearling lugger 'Premier' After 5 dives on deck, removed gear, but 30 minutes later complained of feeling unwell. In spite of vigorous massage, after about 12 hours became unconscious and died two hours later. Inquiry concluded that he died of diver's paralysis. Reported in the Brisbane Courier -
1893 5 0 Allen Harry Australia S/S Air Native of Norfolk Island, no details , reported as a third fatality in the report of the deaths of Johnnie Wahoo and Ullalio Rosa as “A well known and esteemed diver� who died later that same week, but gave no details. Reported in the Brisbane Courier -
1893 5 0 Madrill William Garvie Australia Topsides Queensland, Brisbane, Monday. "Still another pearl diver has died near Thursday Island after working in deep water there. William Garvie Madrill has been found in a culvert at Ipswich, lying face downwards in a shallow pool of water, with a small stone embedded in his forehead. Life was extinct. Reported in the Barrier Miner, Broken Hill, NSW -
1893 5 0 Mateo Australia S/S Air Reported as a fourth fatality in the report of the deaths of Johnnie Wahoo and Ullalio Rosa as “Late last evening, and after the above was in print, another case was reported, the victim in this case being Mateo, the diver of the 'Myrtle� who died later that same week, no details. Reported in the Brisbane Courier -
1893 5 0 Not Recorded Australia John Tolman S/S Air "Death of another Diver". Thursday Island, Monday - (In a paper on Monday 22nd, so could be 15th? TC) "Another diver is reported to have died through diving in deepwater, but this time the occurrence took place some distance from where the others met their fate. Deceased was working from Mr John Tolman's fleet. Evening News, Sydney. May be a double reoport for one of the other May fatalities? -
1893 4 9 Christianson Captain John USA 60 S/S Air Elliot Bay, Seattle, “He plunged into the waters of Elliot Bay and after 20 minutes returned with the lead line and a bucket from one of the hatches of the tug “Majestic� lying at a depth of 196 feet. He apparently suffered no great inconvenience� -
1893 3 27 George Australia 51 S/S Air Paraphrased from a report in the Brisbane Courier. “A native of Samoa, diving from the pearling lugger 'Rotumah' in very deep water, the line showing twenty-eight fathoms. He had previously been down thrice, and the temptation to go down and gather many more was so very great that George cast aside the terrible warnings which had been given by the fatality with so many previous drivers. George thought he was strong and healthy, and could withstand the pressure of water at great depths. When George rose, to the surface on the fourth occasion he showed signs of distress and asked to have his dress taken off. This was immediately done and he asked for a drink of water and some painkiller. The latter was speedily obtained from the cabin and a few drops of it placed in a cup of water. This George took with the intention of drinking. The unfortunate victim only succeeded in clicking the cup against his tooth. Then he fell back on to the cabin-house in a death like swoon. Poor George never regained consciousness, but about 5 o'clock, or three hours after leaving the briny for the last time, he gave three long gasps and died�. -
1893 2 0 Kenah Australia Trenton and Vandalia Wrecking Co Topsides A fatal accident occurred a few days ago, a man named Kenah, employed by the Trenton and Vandalia Wrecking Company as a diver met his death by drowning. It is thought that he attempted to swim off to the barque ‘Alicia’, but could not manage it, owing to the heavy surf. His body was recovered the following day. The Sydney Morning Herald -
1892 12 31 Fairchild Adoniram USA S/S Air "Diver Killed By Dynamite." ". …to the diver. And reply was received they began immediately pulling up. When the diver was brought to the surface, was found to...." "A Diver Killed. An unusual and painfully sad accident occurred on Friday at New York harbour. While a diver was below placing dynamite in the prepared borings, an explosion took place which was clearly indicated to those in charge of the work." (NB This incident is also reported in early January 1893 but appears to have happened in late December 1892) No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Derby Daily Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive. Dual report for the death of Adrian Fairchild (Same date). Boston Evening Transcript -
1892 12 31 Fairchild Adrian USA S/S Air “Adrian Fairchild, for forty years a diver In the employ of the city was at work on the north bed of the river ramming a charge of dynamite........� No other details, Los Angeles Times -
1892 10 28 Not Recorded Australia Tomlin S/S Air "Cooktown. HMS 'Lizard' arrived from New Guinea where all is quiet. It is reported at Samarai (Island off SE New Guines in the Chana Strait) that one of Tomlin's and one of Clarke's pearl divers have drowned through disarrangement of the gear. Reported in The Norther iner (Charters Towers Qld) -
1892 10 28 Not Recorded Australia Clarke S/S Air "Cooktown. HMS 'Lizard' arrived from New Guinea where all is quiet. It is reported at Samarai (Island off SE New Guines in the Chana Strait) that one of Tomlin's and one of Clarke's pearl divers have drowned through disarrangement of the gear. Reported in The Norther iner (Charters Towers Qld) -
1892 9 23 Jones UK "Extraordinary Accident to a Diver at Cardiff. A diver named Jones, residing in Cardiff, was engaged on Friday in .." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser/The British Newspaper Archive -
1892 8 18 McLean Duncan Australia Stocton Coal 34 S/S Air “Sudden Death of a Diver. NEWCASTLE, Friday – “Duncan McLean, aged 34, a diver by profession, died in the hospital at 7 o'clock last night, having only been admitted at 3 o'clock that day. It appears the poor fellow was engaged at the Stockton Coal Pit to do some work in their shaft. The shaft is 110 feet deep and nearly full of wafer. McLean, who is a good diver, descended the shaft yesterday morning. He stayed down two hours and appeared in good health, when brought to the surface, but after being in the open for a few minutes he was seized with a fit and was taken to Dr. Hester’s surgery. Dr. Hester directed his removal to the hospital and accompanied him to the institution. Everything was done to revive him, but to no purpose, and the unfortunate fellow died as stated�. Reported in the Evening News, Sydney, NSW -
1892 7 9 Robinson William UK Military S/S Air "Diver dies suddenly. An able seaman named William Robinson serving onboard Her Majesty's ship "Cambridge", gunnery ship at Devon Port…. No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Leeds Timesl/The British Newspaper Archive -
1891 12 1 Smith Christian Australia Neil Anderson Topsides "Two divers (double fatality with Peter Rasmossan) were drowned at the pearl fishing grounds near Nadoo Island last Tuesday. "The Dingy in which they left the lugger was subsequently found at sea, bottom upwards".The Advertiser, Adelaide. -
1891 12 1 Rasmassen or Rosmossan Peter Australia Neil Anderson Topsides "Two divers (double fatality with Christian Smith) were drowned at the pearl fishing grounds near Nadoo Island last Tuesday. "The Dingy in which they left the lugger was subsequently found at sea, bottom upwards".The Advertiser, Adelaide. -
1891 11 18 Luke (or Lukes?) Alfred Burton UK S/S Air "A diver drowned, a diver named Luke was examining some damaged moorings in Portsmouth harbour". "A diver named Luke went down to Portsmouth Harbour shortly after 9 o'clock on Wednesday to examine the moorings of the Corporation buoy near Portsea Pier,...". No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Coventry Evening Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive -
1891 11 3 Pelkey Oliver USA 55 S/S Air Diving from the wrecking tug "Emerald" working out of Alpena (Thunder Bay, Lake Huron) searching for the wreck of the "Pewabic" - Lost August 1865 after a collision with her sister vesssel 'Meteor' with the loss of 125 lives, carrying copper (mostly salvaged during the first world war) - They found the wreck, returned to the site and diver entered the water. 20 minutes into the dive his signals stopped. "Six stalwart men were unable to pull him up and as a last resort the Captain ordered the lines made fast to the boat and the tug started ahead. Something finally parted and it was found that his body was yet attached to the lines. A hole in his armour near the hips indicated that water had rushed in and smothered him" New York Times -
1891 10 24 Leest or Lust Frank Australia S/S Air Aged 40, diving operation to raise the launch 'Bluebell" (Sank after a collision with the gunboat HMS Boomerang (British Sharpshooter class torpedo gunboat launched 1889 as HMS Whiting, renamed 'Boomerang' in 1890 arriving Sydney in September 1891 as part of the auxilary squadron of the Australia station). Ropes fouled and it took them 20 minutes to bring him to the surface but "when he was taken on deck he was dead". Reported in the Sydney Morning Herald -
1891 6 18 Luciano Manuel Australia S/S Air ‘A Diver Browned’. Thursday Island, Monday. — ‘The lugger ‘Revenge’, which returned to this port on Saturday evening, brings the body of a colored diver named Luciano. While diving that morning Luciano's piping became fastened to some coral, and when efforts were being made by the crew to release the diver the piping burst. The crew being unable to bring Luciano to the surface, another diver on the lugger ‘Narrellan’ at once went below and brought Luciano to the surface; but the latter was dead, having apparently been drowned owing to the presence of water in the dress after the piping burst. The piping is said to be very old’ Reported in the Evening News, Sydney, NSW -
1891 6 16 Imanuel Australia S/S Air "Another fatal diving accident occurred at Goods Island Station, Torres Straits, by which a diver named Imanuel was drowned through the bursting of the airpipe, through, it is alleged, imperfect appliances". Reported in the Bendigo Advertiser, Victoria. -
1891 3 0 Not Recorded UK "Serious accident to divers who were in a diving bell in Ayr harbour removing an…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Sheffield Evening Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive -
1891 2 11 Francis Cranky Australia Topsides Thursday island, A high tide, two vessels lost, their crews drowned. "Thursday Island, Wednesday, Heavy gusty squalls still prevail here. It is reported that the lugger 'Kingfisher' has been wrecked off Mount Adolphus island and the crew drowned. The 'King Kow' was also wrecked on the fishing grounds near Dalrymple and a diver known as 'Cranky Francis' and three men were drowned. The tide rose yesterday beyond all previous marks". Reported in the Australian Town and Country Journal, NSW. -
1890 8 26 Tanaka Australia S/S Air Japanese, reported as the first dead pearl diver recorded by name in the Broome cemetary. Died of the bends whilst diving off the pearling schooner "Willie" off Ninety Mile Beach (Stretches between Broome and Port Headland to the South). Reported by John Bailey, page 55, in his book "The White Divers of Broome" -
1890 1 9 Brewster David Australia S/S Air "A Diver Suffocated. Melbourne, Tuesday. A diver named David Brewster, engaged on the Portland Harbour works went below today and did not signal for some time. The line man then pulled up and took off the helmet, when he found Brewster dead. The air tube was quite free. It is supposed that the deceased fainted while below and suffocated. Deceased leaves a wife and seven children". Reported in the Evening News, Sydney. -
1889 7 0 Not Recorded UK "The Fatality To A Shields Diver. Yesterday (18/7/1889) an inquest was held at the Police Station , Mill Dam, South Shields, before Mr. Coroner..." "Death of a diver. A fatal accident to a diver is reported from Breadnell..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Shields Daily Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1889 3 13 Not Recorded Malta S/S Air "A German diver drowned. Malta, March 13. The 'Sultan' is still in the same position, but some anxiety is felt on account of the swell.." (HMS Sultan, a broadside iroclad, was launched in 1870, ran aground 600 yards in the Comino chamnnel between Malta and Gozo on 6th March 1889, she slipped off the rocks killing a diver and sank on the 14th March in a gale, refloated by Baghino & C, refitted and served until 1896, in reserve until 1906, renamed Fishgard IV as a training ship). No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Shields Daily Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1889 1 1 Wolter John USA, Philadelphia S/S Air Putting a patch on a vessel that had hit a shoal. Lost air supply (hose came off helmet). Pulled up by deck crew feet first but the two guys were unable to lift him into the boat, dropped him back to the bottom, got more help and dragged him out. When recovered was black in the face and unresponsive, thought to be dead. They unscrewed his face plate, "poured whiskey down his throat and rubbed him vigorously". 15 minutes later he recovered consciousness. -
1889 0 0 Woods James W USA Merritt Wrecking Company 18 S/S Air American, drowned under the wreck of the "Iberia" (Sank three miles off New York, 10th November 1888, collision in fog) whilst salvaging cotton, his helmet flooded through a tear in his suit near his neck. His signal line was tied off to a stanchion some distance from the worksite. Quote from proprietor of the salvage company, Israel J Merritt, who was “of the opinion that the death was due to Wood's own carelessness�. -
1888 9 19 Ker Australia S/S Air 'A pearl diver by the name of Ker was stabbed to death by a Malay at Cossack, a Northern Port' (NB Cossack is a port in Western Australia, formerly a pearling station). Reported in the Archives of the Marlborough Express courtesy of the New Zealand National Library. -
1887 10 19 Cook UK "A Diver Suffocated. A diver, whose name was Cook, was engaged in diving at Devonport on Monday, near Her Majesties ship 'Cambridge'..". No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Sheffield Evening Telegraoh/The British Newspaper Archive -
1887 10 7 McGuire George Australia Topsides MURDERED BY NATIVES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) COOKTOWN, October 8. Nicholas Minister arrived at Somerset last night, nearly killed and not expected to recover, he, with a diver named George McGuire, having been attacked by a boat's crew of natives of Cape Sidmouth. McGuire was killed in the attack. Later news from the Paterson Telegraph Station says that the cutter is now off Mount Adolphus. Minister, with a Malay and woman, were in the boat at Somerset. The four natives attacked them while asleep, killing the diver and wounding Minister, not seriously. The natives cleared out. Reported in the Brisbane Courier -
1887 8 1 McGhee Charles UK S/S Air "A diver suffocated. While a marine diver named Mchee was working at the wreck of a sunken yatch - the Cyrene - off Greenock this morning, the air...", "A diver drowned, the air pipe broke, and insensible when brought to the surface, dying…." "While Charles McGhee was engaged in passing chains round a sunken wreck off Greenock this morning, the air..." (The yatch was in a collision with another yatch - the Lorelei - against whom they were racing in the Firth of Clyde on the 9th of July 1887) No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Sheffield Daily Telegaph/Shields Daily Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1887 0 0 Tester Spain 49 Diver engaged to recover the last box of treasure (9 of 10 had been salvaged in 1885) from the Spanish steamer 'Alphonso XII' which sank of Point Gando, Grand Canaria in February 1885. Salvage team was using Heinke equipment and had been on site four months, the deceased had made about 60 dives but on his last dive stayed down some 36 minutes and after a 10 minute break went down again for a further 10 minutes. At first seemed well but then complained of pain in his left arm. Taken ashore and 'the usual treatment in case of pressure attacks was resorted to". Not withstanding all the efforts to relieve him, he expired after suffering considerable, on the evening of the following day. Papers Past/The Aroha News (New Zealand) -
1886 11 0 Not Recorded New Guinea "A party of pearl divers have been murdered at Johannes Island, near New Guinea. Six soldiers at Cairo, finding an unexploded shell, struck it with a hammer, causing a detonation..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the North Devon Journal/The British Newspaper Archive -
1886 9 29 Boys Thomas UK Wear Commissioners S/S Air "Accident to divers. One man suffocated. At South docks Sunderland, this morning, three men were engaged in diving operations,…. " "Accident to a diver. An inquest on the body of Thomas Boys, who was drowned at Sunderland on Wednesdsay in diving operations was held..." "..diving bell accient, sates that divers were wrking for the Wear Commissioners in damming the old entrance to the South Dock...." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Manchester Evening News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1885 9 25 Gregory George RN UK Military 15 S/S Air "Fatality to a diver, George Gregory of HMS Revenge. Was drowned last evening whilst engaged in examining some moorings 8 fathoms deep". No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1885 7 16 Not Recorded UK "The Late Fatal Accident at Portsmouth Harbour. A diver went down this morning at the entrance of No 1 dock near…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Portsmouth Evening News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1885 5 20 Larsen Ole Denmark S/S Air Aged 38, Salvage of the steamer 'Oresund', found dead on the wreck trapped by metal lying on his left arm. When recovered to the surface, it was discovered that his helmet had a hole in it and he is presumed to have drowned as a result of it flooding. Buried on the 25th May at the Fejo Parish Church, the day before his third child, Ole Laurits Larsen, was baptised there. Fejo archive at niwich.dk -
1885 5 4 Maynard Richard Australia S/S Air Yesterday the inquest on the body of a diver named Richard Maynard, who died in the Sydney Hospital on Monday afternoon, was resumed concluded at the Coroner's old office, King-street, before the City Coroner, Mr. H. Shiell, J.P. It will be remembered that on Monday last the deceased was employed at the Circular Quay searching for some cargo which had fallen overboard from a vessel. After he had gone down into the water, another diver, named Henry Christian, happened to pass by the spot where air was being pumped down to him; and, noticing that something seemed to be wrong with the air-piping, he informed those in charge of the fact, and tee deceased was brought up to the surface. The man was then in an unconscious state. He was taken to the Sydney Hospital and attended to by Dr. Lowes, but he died shortly after being admitted to the institution. The medical evidence showed that death resulted from cerebral congestion and asphyxia. After hearing the evidence of a number of witnesses, the jury returned the following verdict: "We find that the deceased died from the combined effects of cerebral congestion and asphyxia, the result of the absence of sufficient air to maintain life whilst carrying out his occupation as a diver." The jury also appended the following as a rider to their verdict:-"We desire to add that we consider it to be the positive duty of all vendors of diving gear, and persons letting such gear for hire, to see that it is in sound order." The Sydney Morning Herald -
1884 7 26 Moreton UK S/S Air "A diver drowned in the Firth of Forth setting up moorings for the Lord Waeden. Intelligence was received at Sheerness Dockyard on Saturday that a riggers diver….. ." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in The Lancaster Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1884 5 0 Gurr (Or Gun?) Alfred Henry UK "Dover. Shocking accident. A man named Alfred Henry Gurr, living in Buckland, who was employed at new harbour works as a diver, met with..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald/The British Newspaper Archive -
1884 3 5 Not Recorded UK "Fatal accident to a diver. A fatal accident occurred of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, on Wednesday afternoon. It appears that the tug Tydemoth, of Portsmouth, having on board.." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Gloucestr Citizen/The British Newspaper Archive -
1883 8 0 Scott James UK S/S Air "Fatal accident to a diver" "…to be dead. The deceased was an experienced man diver, William Rowers stated that he was acting as signalman to the deceased, and it was..." "Fatal accient to a diver. On Monday evening (6th August 1883), Dr. Wynn Westcott, the deputy coroner for Middlesex, held inquest at the Three Compasses Tavern, High Street, Hornsey, concerning the death of James Scott, aged 40..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Alnwick Mercury/Tamworth Herald/The British Newspaper Archive -
1881 10 28 Macpherson Thomas UK S/S Air "A diver suffocated on Friday. A diver named Thomas Macpherson of 1 Castle Street, Hull died under… " No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in The Derby Daily Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive -
1881 10 0 Fletcher George UK S/S Air “SAD DEATH OF A LIVERPOOL DIVER. The Liverpool coroner held an inquest yesterday upon the body of George Fletcher, 37 years of age, a diver residing in Toxteth Park. On Saturday last deceased was engaged to dive in the Salthouse Dock for a case of hardware that had fallen in the dock. The man who engaged him, whose name was Slack, was blind, and was the maker of the diving suit which was fifteen years old and had not been used since 1880, when the deceased used it in the Brunswick dock. In overhauling the apparatus on Saturday the deceased had found one of the tubes leaky and had it repaired. The helmet was also made water-tight with tallow instead of a “washer�. The dress then seemed to work all right, and the deceased want down in it, but soon afterwards came up, and said he felt “scared� He nevertheless went down again, and the men in attendance received a signal from from him for “slings� to be sent down to him for fixing to the hardware case. Soon afterwards they felt the deceased fall down. He was quickly hauled up out of the water, and his helmet removed, but be was then dead. The jury found a verdict of death from suffocation, caused by defective diving apparatus. Reported in the Manchester Evening News -
1881 9 1 Duggan Walter? Ireland S/S Air Reported Tuesday 30th August and Thursday 1st September, but death probably occurred Saturday previously. Diver was 'engaged in examining the mooring tackle of the lightship off Daunts rock south of Queenstown.....". "Diver died from exhaustion in a harbour , made three descents from the Trinity steamer 'Alert' and on coming up the last time…." "Died in most distressing circumstances" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Portsmouth Evening News/Aberdeen Evening Express/Cornishman/The British Newspaper Archive -
1880 1 7 Not Recorded UK S/S Air London Times article on divers recovering bodies after the Tay Bridge disaster (Reproduced in the New York Times 26/1/1880) -
1879 7 30 Jenkins James Walter USA S/S Air Recovering an anchor lost from the “Barbarossa� in a collision with the “Italy� some weeks earlier off New York Harbour, pier 1, North River. Assistant called attention to blisters in the air pipe, but “Jenkins only laughed and said the pipe would probably last as long as he would�. Assistants protested that the hose was unsafe “but the daring engineer would not hear of it and went to his death with apparent gaiety� He had reached seabed when the pipe burst on deck. Pulled up immediately. “Upon removing the helmet the man's face and head presented a horrible appearance, being swollen to fully twice their normal size and purplish black. The tongue, swollen, discoloured and protruding was nearly bitten in two, blood trickled from the nostrils and ears, the arms were extended and rigid while the spasmodically closed fingers had buried their nails deep in the horny skin of the palms of the hands. Gasped once and expired with a long gurgling sigh�. Unemployed for two years, desperate to support his family, basically, a quick dive for "cash in hand" of 10$. reported in the New York Times. -
1879 6 30 Clifford Paul Louis Australia 5 S/S Air Aged about 25 or 26, described as a powerful young man, engaged as a diver at the wreck of the barque 'bells' (Having presented himself as an experienced diver), completed three dives but on entering the water on a dive at around 2pm seemed to go the opposite way to where he had been instructed to go. Apparently signalled he was coming up followed by 'less air'. Did not surface and after 15 minutes the crew pulled him to the surface but he was dead. "It is supposed that deceased must have given a wrong signal and so come by his death". Reported in Papers Past, The Star. -
1879 3 24 Manchester Horace USA S/S Air Drowned, after the event, it was claimed that �the diver who was drowned on Monday deliberately committed suicide on account of financial and domestic troubles which had been preying on his mind for a long time" -
1879 2 5 Not Recorded France S/S Air "..submarine diver who died on the fifth day of February 1879 by being drowned at sea on the coast of France." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Liverpooll Mercury/The British Newspaper Archive -
1878 9 0 Thomas Thomas James UK S/S Air "The diver engaged on the wreck of the sunken German ironclad, the Grosser Kurfurst, who died the other day through remaining…" (The Grosser Kurfurst was an ironclad turret ship that sunk off Folkstone 31st May on her maiden voyage with the loss of around 270 of the 500 men onboard. Turned to avoid fishing boats and was rammed by accompanying vessel SMS Konig Wilhelm). Inquest was opened at the town hall, Folkstone on the 29th August. No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Alnwick Mercury/The British Newspaper Archive -
1878 8 27 Not Recorded UK Military S/S Air "..body of a diver who died from syncope while engaged in diving practice from the gunnery ship 'Excellence' in Portsmouth Harbour, the..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Bristol Mercury/The British Newspaper Archive. Presumed to be another report into the death of Jeremoah Shanahan(27/8/1878) -
1878 8 0 Shanahan Jeremiah UK "Fatal Accident to a Diver, an inquest was opened at the town hall, Folkstone, on Tuesday, on the .." "Inquest at the dockyard into the death of a diver". No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Portsmouth Evening News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1878 6 27 Shervell Henry New Zealand "Henry Shervell, a diver, was committed for trial today for stealing guns from the wreck of the Ann Gambles" Evening Post, National Library of New Zealand. (The 'Ann Gambles' was an iron barque built in 1862 by Harrington and Williamson. She sailed from Gravesend in England in January, was lost in heavy weather at the entrance to Bluff Harbour on the 16th May 1878, the crew were all saved. An Inquiry suspended the master's certificate for six months after concluding that he had been reckless in attempting to enter the port at night without a pilot). -
1878 0 0 Steele H USA 20 S/S Air English, aged 40. Had previously assisted in recovering treasure from the �City of San Francisco� and raised schooner “Mabel and Edith� in 1877. 15 minutes into a diver was recovered to surface by tenders as they received no signals. Unconscious, died 15 minutes later. The owner of the apparatus, A. W. Von Schmidt, found that the diver neglected to close the end of a hose. “The apparatus is for two divers and when used by one only the other end should have the cap screwed on. After reaching a depth of 11 fathoms he received no fresh air and had only the air in the helmet to breathe�. -
1877 12 18 Not Recorded UK "Shocking Accident To A Diver. Strange fatality occurred at Her Majesty's Devonport Dockyard yesterday. A heavy spar…." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Manchester Evening News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1877 7 5 Littlebody William UK Dalton Le Dale Waterworks 36 S/S Air Described as "a big stout man of about 18 stone weight", diver fron Tyne dock, diving in a pilot shaft at the Dalton Le Dale Waterworks, South Sields, (10' diamter, 312' from top to surface of water then to worksite a further 120' underwater to replace a plug). Reported as entering the water at 11:00, stopped responding to line signals some 3 hours later, could not be pulled up. Rescue diver Harry Watts, then aged 51, employed at the time by River Wear Commissioners, was recruited to help, dived at 9 o'clock in the evening and located the body head down under the working stage. Described in "Life of Harry Watts, 60 years a Sailor and Diver" by Alfred Spencer. The book, published in 1923, contains the following comment: Mr. Davis, Managing Director of Messrs. Siebe, Gorman & Co., Ltd., who kindly went through these chapters on diving with a view to correcting them, in commenting on the Dalton incident, says : - " You describe Watts as having been fully dressed before he went over the edge of the well. . . . Nowadays, we would, if at all possible, rig up a stage just above the surface of the water, where the diver would put on his heavy gear (boots, weights, and helmet), and thus be saved the labour of carrying all this deadweight. It is quite possible that Watts did carry this weight from the ground level to the water, and, in that case, all the more credit is due to him." -
1877 6 0 Not Recorded UK "A diver suffocated. A diver engaged at Holyhead harbour met with fearful death last week. A number of men have been for employed a wreck.." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Edinburgh Evening News/The British Newspaper Archive -
1877 1 29 Robertson John UK Topsides Steam ship 'Alexandra', built in Stockton on Tees in 1863, en route from Cadiz to Dublin via Liverpool, with 420 tons of wine. Reached Liverpool and discharged 100 tons of wine, sailed for Dublin on the 3rd of January. 08:00 drive shaft broke, continued under sail, caught in a storm which left him with only fore and aft foresails, was being pushe onshore, dropped port anchor which immediately parted, starboard anchor jammed, ran aground in Clogher Bay. Cargo was discgarged by the 12th January, on the same day, the salvage vessel 'Seamen' arrived from Adrossan with three steam pumps and repair crew, including the diver and tender, and temporary repairs made including installing the three pumps on frames in the holds.before two tugs - "Kingfisher" and "Challenger' out of Liverpool - arrived to tow her to Belfast for overhaul with the salvage steamer "Seamew" attached to her stern by a tow rope to steady her during the tow and the three steam pumps running to keep her afloat. Floated off and tow started 10:00 on the 29th JanuaryAlso onboard was a repair crew including diver John Robertson and his attendant from Greenock. Caught in further bad weather from 18:00 hours, the pumps could not keep up, headed for sheltered water and situation improved, continued the tow but vessel began listing to starboard, then settled to the stern and then sank in under 5 minutes. It is thought that 7 persons were lost in the sinking - a shipright, a carpenter, 4 labourers from Clogher Bay and the diver, Anderson. Salvage Captains criticised for taking the vessels into heavy weather away from sheltered water. Plimsol.org/Old Merseytimes.co.uk -
1876 12 0 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air Cape Verde Islander, one of two pearl divers killed in December working out of Somerset (North Australia, on the York Penninsula). "He was walking along the bottom when his when his life line became entangled around a large piece of cup shaped coral, the only obstruuction for a considerable distance. The boat to which he was attached was drifting with the tide as he walked on, and, the life line getting foul, the boat was anchored as it were.The strain thus brought on the life line would appear to have drawn the diver down to the coral, thereby creating such alarm as to cause him so far as to lose his presence of mind as to cut the line. He might just as well cut his throat as by his thoughtless act he transferred the boat's strain from the rope to the air pipe, which was soon pulled out of its socket on the helmet" When the body, sometime later, was recovered, "It was on it's back and a knife firmly clutched in the right hand. No blame appears to have been attached to the boat's crew". Grey River Argus, Papers Past, National Library of New Zealand. -
1876 9 20 Parker George UK S/S Air "MELANCHOLY DEATH OF A DIVER" An inquest was held at the Union Tavern on Thursday before the Borough Coroner (W. H. Payne, Esq.) on the body of George Parker, a diver who died suddenlythe previous day having remained underwater for hour and a quarter. The evidence went to show that deceased was subject to heart disease and vomited nearly every time before and after he ..." No other details. Reported in the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald/The British Newspaper Archive -
1876 4 23 Thomas George UK "Accidental Death of a Diver. In London last Thursday (2nd March 1876), Mr. Payne, the coroner, held an inquiry at the Essex Head, Essex Street, Strand, regarding the death of George Thomas.." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Tamworth Herald/The British Newspaper Archive -
1876 0 0 Fleuss Henry UK Rebreather Development of the firsrt working self contained oxygen rebreather using compressed oxygen and a closed circuit and caustic potash to absorc CO2 -
1875 10 4 Grelee Harry W USA 4 S/S Air Town of Lowell, swept under a projecting timber by fast current, air hose kinked, signalled surface that he was in trouble but they were unable to pull him out. 'His lifeless body was extricated and brought to the surface by his brother'. Reported in the New York Times. -
1875 8 12 Tippett John Hicks UK 9 S/S Air EXTRAORDINARY DEATH OF A DIVER. The diving cutter ‘Sir Francis Burdett’ has arrived at Hull with the body of James Tippett, diver, aged 37, The crew have been engaged for some time in preparations to blow up the steamer ‘Shamrock’, sunk at the entrance to the Humber in 30 feet of water. Yesterday morning Tippett went down under water fully dressed, when those on the cutter felt convinced something was wrong. He was hauled onboard but was found to be dead. The glass at the front of his helmet had been broken by some means and so had let in the water. He must have been dead long before he was got on board, Reported in the Bradford Observer -
1875 6 7 Keith William UK 8 S/S Air "Death of a diver underwater by drowning (Special Telegram) William Keith, 35 years of age, a professional diver (Or divers labourer) residing in Torry, employed by the Aberdeen harbour board, at the point of the pier laying some moorings. Descended in his diving dress on Saturday about noon, and reaching the bottom, depth 25'..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph/Dundee Courier/The British Newspaper Archive -
1873 7 21 Not Recorded UK Tyne Commissioners "Fatal Diving Bell Accident. On Monday night a fatal accident took place.." A diver drowned in Shields Harbour on Monday owing to the diving bell capsizing." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in Staffordshire Sentinel/The British Newspaper Archive -
1872 12 10 Collins USA S/S Air American, formally a member of the 99th Regiment of New York Volunteers, searching for a propeller lost off a Navy steam launch at Norfolk, Virginia. About 1 o'clock a diver by the name of Collins met his death by suffocation while engaged in diving. Pulled to the surface and found to be dead. New York Times -
1872 10 16 Gascombe Australia S/S Air Rockhampton, Queensland "Gascombe, a diver, died in the water at Rockhampton, of apoplexy" Timaru Herald, Sydney Morning Herald -
1872 8 12 Not Recorded UK S/S Air "Diver drowned at the Aberdeen Beakwater. One of the divers at the new breakwater, Aberdeen,…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in Dundee Courier/The British Newspaper Archive -
1872 6 25 Warner George UK S/S Air Melancholy Fatal Accident to a Diver. It in our painful duty this week to report one of those melancholy accidents, which fortunately are not of frequent occurrence, viz., the death by drowning of a diver, named George Warner, while following his occupation. It appears that the unfortunate young man was on Tuesday last engaged at a ship sunk off Dungeness, and while searching in the cabin for a sum of money amounting to about £800, supposed to have been left there; the air pipe suddenly burst, the result being, of course, that the communication of air to the deceased was instantly cut off. Mr. Philip Warner, a brother of the deceased, was attending him, by whom the bursting of the pipe was felt, and he immediately took measures to raise him to the boat; this was accomplished in about a minute and a half, and on his being dragged on board he exclaimed “ Oh, my poor head; I am dying' and then breathed his last. The body was taken to Dover, where an inquest was held, the jury returning a verdict of “Accidental Death." On Wednesday the corpse was brought home to Whitstable for interment. The deceased was a very steady young man, and his untimely end in lamented by a large circle of friends and relatives. He was a son of the well known diver, Mr. Philip Warner, who, as many of our readers are aware, was employed for several years in the construction of the harbour of refuge at Alderney. Deceased was twenty-six years of age, and was, we understand, shortly about to be married. Reported in the Whitstable Times -
1872 4 15 Siebe Augustus UK Augustus Siebe, designer of the 'Standard' diving dress died. He left his Company to his Son-in-Law, Willian Gorman, and the Company changed it's name to Siebe-Gorman, remaining in trade until 1998 when it was sold to Norcross, Norcross sold the company in 1999 at which time the company was renamed AMtec (Air Master Technology). AMtec stopped trading in 2001 and the owners sold the name to a Malaysian concern making breathing apparatus trading as "The Siebe Gorman Company (Malaysia)" -
1872 4 13 Hooper Chile S/S Air "Telegraphic News. Hooper, a diver of Liverpool died suddenly at Pichidangui whilst raising the cargo of a sunken vessel at Cape Horn. The Pacific Steam Navigation... " No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in Manchester Times/Birmingham Daily Post/Leeds Mercury/The British Newspaper Archive -
1872 3 29 Seaman George USA S/S Air 40 years old, living on Staten Island, working off the wrecking schooner 'Thomas Kivlin' at work at the foot of 65th Street, North River, was suffocated by the bursting of the air pipe. Seaman had been underwater for some time, and, as soon as it was discovered that the pipe used for conducting air to the diver had burst, he was hauled up, but when he reached the surface and was relieved of his diving suit, all efforts made to resuscitate him proved futile. The remains were removed to the morgue. New York Times.