Incidents List
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Year Month Day Surname Forenames Location Contractor Client Depth Type of Diving Details -
1927 7 29 Hashimoto Hijiro or Bijiro Australia 33 S/S Air "Diver Drowned. Through an air pipe bursting 80 feet from the pump, a 46 year old Japanese diver with 26 years of experience was drowned at Broome, W. A. He was working at 18 fathoms and it was ten minutes before he could be brought to the surface". Reported in the Advocate, Burnie, Tasmania. -
1927 6 7 Not Recorded Italy Military S/S Air "..Diver suffocated, arrest follows tragedy of torpedo search, Rome Tuesday. An under sea tragedy is reported in a message from Fiume today...." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Bristol Mercury/The British Newspaper Archive -
1927 5 25 Harrison Edgar USA S/S Air American, from Catalina, speculative search for Aimee Macpherson (faked her own disappearance, but at the time was presumed missing/dead and there was a $25,000 reward for finding her. She had actually run off with her boyfriend). Water pressure acerbated appendicitis and he died. Macpherson re-appeared from the desert, initially claiming kidnap. Harrison's widow tried to sue Macpherson. -
1927 5 4 Madden Charles Australia S/S Air “DIVER COLLAPSES. When he was being brought to the surface after working on a pile cylinder under water at the George's River bridge yesterday afternoon Charles Madden, aged 30, collapsed. The St George District Ambulance was called and first aid rendered. It was found necessary, however, to take the man to the St. George District Hospital. He was suffering from diver's palsy�. Reported in The Sydney Morning Herald. -
1927 1 28 Romans Louis Australia S/S Air Described as a native of Switzerland, aged 28 drowned at Darwin Jetty. Employed as a diver to fix some piping underwater, "his air pipe became fouled and the diver was dead when hauled up". The Brisbane Courier. Later reported that his airlines were severed by sharp oysters shells on the piles. Later reports went:- “CARELESS DIVER. At the-inquest into the death of the diver, Louis Romans, who was asphyxiated owing to the outlet valve in his helmet being out of order, it was stated that, the gear was in shocking condition. Despite frequent warnings, Romans persisted in using it. The coroner found a verdict of accidental death brought about by deceased's carelessness. Reported in the Northern Star, Lismore, NSW. -
1927 1 0 Not Recorded France Military 37 S/S Air “NAVAL DIVER'S FATE. While searching for a torpedo which had sunk to a depth of 120 ft near the Salins d'Hyeres, near Toulon, a naval diver fainted. He was at once hoisted to the surface, given medical aid and rushed off in a tug to the land, but he died later in hospital�. Reported in The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder, NSW -
1926 11 0 Not Recorded UK S/S Air “How diver met his death. A Manchester ship canal accident� “How diver lost his life in Manchester Ship canal was described at the inquest in Irlam yesterday (29/11/1926)� “Diver's strange death� No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in The Post (Lanarkshire)/Aberdeen Journal/The British Newspaper Archive -
1926 10 15 Archers J M Australia S/S Air “STINGRAY ATTACKS DIVER, An incident, unprecedented in the history of Broome (W.A.) pearling, occurred last week, when J. M. Archers, a diver, was attacked while diving by a 3 cwt stingray, which drove its serrated barb right through his thigh and out at the buttocks through his diving dress and three flannel garments. He was grievously wounded, and suffered agony before the pain was alleviated at the hospital. The poison had now worked towards his spine. This is the first time a diver has been attacked though bathers along the coast are frequently whipped by sting rays' tails�. Reported in The Horsham Times, Vic -
1926 9 25 Lee John UK 21 S/S Air "Accident to diver. While working on a wreck in Morecambe Bay yesterday, Jihn Lee of Weast Hartlepool..." "Diver's Ordeal. Broken helmet 70 feet below surface interviewed yesterday in Fleetwood hospital, a diver named Lee who almost…" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Aberdeen Journal/The British Newspaper Archive -
1926 7 13 Williams Irving USA 15 S/S Air Described as a native of Kennebunk, working near Harpswell attempting to raise the power sloop 'Bradley A' which went ashore 10 days earlier on Bold Dick, a rocky pinnacle near Ragged Island in Casco Bay with the loss of three of the four crew. Reported as drowned at work, apparently an incident involving his air lines (being tended by his brother) which parted, but no details . Reported in the New York Times -
1926 5 24 Devine John USA 12 S/S Air American, aged 40, New York East River, "Friend by mistake cut off his air hose" New York Times. Another report indicates "His lead soled boot was trapped in a cofferdam frame, his airline twisted and tangled, he died a divers death 30 feet under the East River this afternoon". He was recovered to the surface by fellow diver Alexander Hansen but was dead. Survived by 5 children. They were working on the installation of filter screens on the two water inlet tunnels supplying water to the new Edison Company plant being built at the end of fourteenth Street. Montreal Gazette -
1926 4 0 Not Recorded Australia S/S Air "A message from Broome statyes that a Malay, who was unacustomed to pearling work, decided to try his hand at diving. He went below and 12 minutes afterwards was dragged to the surface dead. He had shut of the air supply in order to sink to the bottom and failed to turn it on again". Northern Star, NSW, Auistralia -
1925 12 19 Parsons William UK S/S Air Reported as "Death of diver during tests at Collingwood docks, Liverpool" "Divers tragic Death. Death drom misadaventure was the verdict at Liverpool. Saturday on William Parsons, Liverpool, who died after...." "Death from misadventure was the verdict at Liverpool.." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in The Post (Lanarkshire)/Aberdeen Journal/The British Newspaper Archive -
1925 11 0 German Divers S/S Air "German Divers, ..expert divers who claim to have made underwater examinations at a depth of 500 feet. They were out last night with the British Naval..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Western Daily Press/The British Newspaper Archive. (Yeah, right, 1925, on air, 500' Propaganda! TC) -
1925 10 0 Not Recorded UK S/S Air ".. Weymouth diver's death. Crushed by motor engine. A fatal accident occurred Thursday afternoon…"No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Western Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1925 9 24 Okuna Nizo Australia S/S Air Japanese pearl diver aged 33 or 35. “Drowned on the sea bottom�. "Was drowned while pearling near Broome owing to his air pipe snapping on a reef" The Wyalong Advocate and Mining, Agricultural and Pastoral Gazette, NSW, Australia. “JAPANESE DIVER DROWNED� PERTH, Wednesday.— “A Japanese diver named Nizo Okuna, about 35 years, was drowned on the bottom while engaged in pearling 80 miles from Broome in consequence of the snapping of the air pipe attached to his diving suit. Okuna’s line fouled a reef in a heavy sea and broke and then his air pipe went. The diver, later, floated to the surface dead. Another diver saved his life by rising before the reef was encountered�. Reported in The Register, Adelaide -
1925 7 5 Woodhead Australia S/S Air Photograph of a diver in standard gear with the caption "Geraldton's Official diver, Mr. Woodhead, who is seen here in his armour about to descend. He is the first diver in Geraldton to be equipped with the latest telephone apparatus". Reported in the Sunday Times, Perth, WA. -
1925 3 0 Suketaro Yamakado Australia S/S Air PEARL DIVER SUFFOCATED. PERTH, Tuesday. A Japanese diver, Yamakado Suketaro, lost his life while working on a pearling lugger at sea 200 miles from Broome. He was lowered to the bottom in a diving suit, with an air pipe and life line. When the line was severed by coral rock the air pipe was fully extended, and as the lugger turned to give aid the pipe broke about 100 feet from the engine. When the body was recovered it was found that the Japanese was suffocated inside the diving suit. Reported in the Argus, Melbourne, Vic. Inquest returned a verdict of accidental death. The Age. -
1924 10 22 Gunn Morrison UK S/S Air "Diver drowned in Lyness harbour, ex petty officer Morrison Gunn of Victoria Sreeet, Kirkwal..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Derby Daily Telegraph/The British Newspaper Archive -
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 -
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' -
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 -
1919 3 27 Thiemann USN USA Military S/S Air American Navy diver, died whilst diving for a torpedo off St Thomas, Virginia -
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 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 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. -
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 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 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 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 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 -
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 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 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 -
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 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 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 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 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 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. -
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 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 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 -
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" -
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 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 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 -
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 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 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 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 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 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�. -
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 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 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. -
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 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 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 -
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 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 -
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 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 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." -
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 -
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 -
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 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. -
1868 9 9 Burton Charles New Zealand 27 S/S Air Diving from the SS 'Lady Bird' assessing the wreck of the SS 'Taraniki'. Apparently entangled and Helmet came off, drowned. Excellent contemporary article of the fatality in the Wellington Independent and description of the subsequent salvage operation in Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961. The inquest (described in some detail in the Wellington Independent) 'was held at the Crown and Anchor Hotel before L. Boor Esq., Coroner, and a respectable jury', after mature deliberation, they gave the verdict "Accidental death by drowning whilst in performance of his duties as a diver at the wreck of the Taranki". After being submerged for over a year, she was refoated being towed into Wellington harbour by the 'Ladybird' on the first of October 1889. She finally ran aground and broke in half in November 1878 on Karewa Island with no loss of life -
1867 10 28 Holt James UK River Tyne Commssioners S/S Air Sudden Death at North Shields. -- On Saturday afternoon, Mr James Holt, the River Tyne Commissioner' diver, died at his residence, in Rudyard Street, North Shields, of concussion of the brain, brought on, it is supposed, by the arduous nature of his vocation, after a, brief illness of twenty-four hours. Deceased, who was a native of Whitstable, had been in the employment of the Commissioners for the long period of twenty-one years, and was much respected for his genial and affable disposition by all who knew and came in contact with him. Shields Daily Gazette -
1863 4 16 Not Recorded Richard UK S/S Air "A diver has been drowned at Lowestoft by water getting into his helmet while working at a wreck in the bottom of the sea" No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the John O' Groat Journal/The British Newspaper Archive -
1862 12 19 Barrett Lucas Jamaica S/S Air English, Aged 25, The first director of Geological Survey of Jamaica. He used mollusc shells for fossil dating, Started collecting living shells underwater from the Port Royal Cays, south of Kingston Harbour. On his second dive collecting shells on a reef, closed air valve and inflated suit to surface, floated to surface some distance from his boat, dead before brought ashore. J B S Haldane suggested that this rapid ascent was the cause of death due to a pulmonary air embolism ('the bends'). A shell, now in the natural history museum in London, found on his body is one of only two known specimens of a smooth shelled micromorphic brachiopod 'Argyrotheca woodardiana'. -
1859 10 0 Alward Maurice UK S/S Air "Shocking Death of a Diver. On Tuesday an inquest was held at the town hall by R. J. Emmerson and a very respectable jury, touching the death of Maurice Alward, a ..." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Kentish Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1859 10 0 Not Recorded UK S/S Air "Shocking Death of a Diver. During survey last week of the wreck of the Robert Garden, schooner belonging Dover, recently run down off the South Foreland by collision with the ..." "Last week, at Ramsgae, Maurice, a diver..."No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Dover Express/The British Newspaper Archive. (Possibly dual report for the death of Maurice Alward?) -
1859 3 17 Not Recorded UK S/S Air "Diver drowned whilst a boat's crew were engaged about the wreck of the barque Saxon King off Stranraer" "Diver Drowned. ...the diver, when they found him quite dead. The air pipe had got entangled among the steps of the ladder and air supply had..." (The Saxon King left Samarand with a cargo of sugar for the Clyde but ran aground on rocks off the South Rock Lighthouse (Off Ireland) on the 10th of January. She was refloated after three hours and made for the Clyde where she anchored off the Corsewall Lighthouse (Near Stranraer) where she foundered and sank). No other details (Pay for access archive). Reported in the Cambridge Chronicle and Herald/The British Newspaper Archive -
1858 7 23 Affer UK S/S Air "Death in a Diving Aparatus. On Friday, a mason, named Affer, employed as a diver in building the new admiralty pier at Dover, lost his life by opening a valve in his diving dress. The unfortunate man had gone down for the ...." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Sherbourne Mercury/The British Newspaper Archive -
1857 5 20 Barnicoat RE Edward Sgt. UK Military S/S Air "Death of a diver. A melancholy accident occurred on Wednesday morning to a colour sergeant of the Royal Engineers at Chatham named Edward Barnicoat...." No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Royal Cornwall Gazette/The British Newspaper Archive -
1857 5 15 Not Recorded UK S/S Air "Naval and Military Intelligence. An experienced diver who died under mysterious circumstances while occupied in diving for the purpose of recovering a 32 pounder ..." Suspected duplicate report of the death of Edward Barnicoat (20/5/1857). No other details (Pay for access archive) Reported in the Caledoian Mercury/Belfast Mercury/The British Newspaper Archive -
1854 6 1 Tope, First entry, the incident John USA Wells, Gowan and Green 12 S/S Air We learn that Mr. John Tope, one of the divers employed by Messrs. Wells, Gowan & Green, in their operations on the Lake, lost his life while experimenting with a sub-marine armor, a few days since. The circumstances attending this lamentable casualty, as related to us by Mr. Green, are substantially as follows: It appears that Mr. Tope was desirous of testing a sub-marine armor preparatory to commencing operations on the wrecks which the Company design raising this Summer, and on Friday afternoon last, in company with three others, started from Cattaraugus Creek in a small vessel of about twenty tons burden, and proceeded some distance from the shore, where the water was about forty feet deep. Mr. Tope descended into the water three times. The first and second time he went down some fifteen or twenty feet, each time signalizing to those above to raise him. In both instances he remarked that the foul air did not escape fast enough to allow him to breathe freely. Previous to going down, the third time detached the spring from the valve which allows the impure air to escape from the helmet, and desired the man who held the signal line to observe carefully when he should reach the bottom, (some forty feet) and be prepared to answer his signals. He then entered the water, and had descended about thirty feet, when those above thought the armor felt unusually heavy. The signal line was immediately jerked to ascertain whether anything was wrong, but receiving no answering signal, the diver was immediately raised from the water. New York Times -
1854 6 1 Tope, Second entry, incident response John USA Wells, Gowan and Green 12 S/S Air On opening the helmet, the unfortunate occupant of the armor was found to be quite dead, presenting a horrid spectacle, blood oozing from his eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Detaching the spring from the escape-valve prevented the air from inflating the armor below the neck of the diver; and when it is recollected that at the depth of thirty feet the pressure of the water is equal to fifteen pounds to the square inch, and hence there must have been a pressure of at least ten tons upon the lower extremities of the diver; and this tremendous pressure forced the vital fluid to the head, bursting the blood vessels, and thus causing immediate death. Not more than a minute and a half elapsed from the time he entered the water, to the time he was hoisted upon the deck of the vessel. The pressure of the water upon the lower part of the armor, on his two previous trials, caused a slight rush of blood to the diver’s head, causing a dizziness, which he imagined was produced by foul air, and he insisted upon descending again with the spring detached from the escape-valve, which be said would allow a free current of air to pass in and out of the armor; but a moment’s reflection will convince anyone that this alone was the cause of the melancholy casualty. The apparatus he used on this occasion was in complete working order, and one of the most perfect ever manufactured. New York Times -
1854 6 1 Tope, third Entry, the investigation John USA Wells, Gowan and Green 12 S/S Air The deceased was a diver of five years’ experience on the Atlantic sea-board, and recently came here from Boston, where he leaves a wife and four children to mourn his death. Those who were with him during the day say that he appeared to have a premonition that some catastrophe would happen to him but could not be dissuaded from trying the experiment, in which he acted on his own responsibility, Mr. Green being in this city at the time. The accident at the wreck of the Erie last year, when Macdonald lost his life, was similar to this, though the victim in that case had but little experience as a diver. Too much care cannot be observed by those who follow this hazardous business. It requires cool judgment and great presence of mind on the part of the diver. Mr. Green informs us he has often experienced the same sensations while in the water, but always rose promptly to the surface until the dizziness had vanished and the armor thoroughly inflated. As long as the air circulates throughout the armor there is no danger to be apprehended. The body of the deceased below the neck appeared as if the blood had been entirely forced out of it, presenting an appearance as white and clear as a piece of sculptured marble. Since writing the above, we learn that Mr. Tope had connected a length of gutta percha hose to the helmet at the place occupied by the escape valve, one end of the hose, remaining above the surface of' the water. This was an improvement of his own which he desired to test, and before going down the last time he had taken the valve out entirely, though he was told frequently that such an experiment would prove fatal to him, and was warned by Mr. Green not to attempt it. On learning of the accident, Mr. Green had the body brought to this city, and Messrs. Wells & Gowan deposited it in a metallic burial case, and Mr. Wells proceeded with it to Boston last evening. The unfortunate man was held in high estimation by his employers, and his loss is deeply regretted. New York Times -
1853 0 0 MacDonald USA S/S Air Reported as having died in an incident similar to that of John Tope who died a year later in 1854. The accident at the wreck of the 'Erie' last year, when MacDonald lost his life, was similar to this (Tope), though the victim in that case had but little experience as a diver. Too much care cannot be observed by those who follow this hazardous business. No details, but presumably another squeeze. New York Times -
1837 0 0 Siebe Augustus UK Siebe Ltd S/S Air Augustus Siebe designed the first completely sealed (watertight) diving dress. Though there were many refinements, the overall design was largely unchanged until replaced by SCUBA and modern surface supplied helmets in the 1960s. First used by the Royal Navy in 1840 to continue salvage of the "Royal George", the "Siebe Improved Diving Dress" was then adopted as the standard diving equipment for the Royal Engineers leading to setting up of the first Navy Diving School in 1843 -
2013 7 16 Robles Aller Fernando Spain Trabajos Especiales Maritimos 20m S/S Air Information received points to him cleaning rubbish/silt from outside dry dock gates at Armon Shipyard, Gijon, with a pump so they could open them to launch a couple of new boats, possibly a differential pressure incident. Spanish newspapers report that when his topside tender noticed a lack of bubbles and comms response he jumped in the water, in addition, there was also an Engineer supervisor and two labourers who helped in the rescue. Witnesses say that during CPR he bled from mouth and ears. An ambulance was called and attempted to resuscitate him. After an hour of attention by the EMTs, he was declared dead. -
2013 7 13 Wilkinson-Lowe Richard James Boris Germany RS Diving 20m S/S Air British, Aged 26, Riffgat Windfarm (15 km NorthWest of Borkum Island), diving from the 4 point moored vessel 'Union Beaver' (Built 1991 as the 'Salvage Chief' by Fulton Marine, Ruisbroek, Belgium, 56m long, Belgian Flag, IMO No 8918564, Owned and operated by URS Salvage and Contracting (Smit Transport, Belgium), installing 6 ton mattresses over cables, appears to have had a concrete mat dropped on him. Reported by Radio Bremen -
1982 4 27 Rivera Anibal Argentina Comex S/S Air Got into difficulty while underwater, vomited and subsequently drowned. No other details. PC -
1967 0 0 Maclean Edward (Ted) Australia Divcon 130ft S/S Air Ashmore Reef, NW Australia, Water depth 130ft Died in Deco Chamber , Combination of Missed Deco and heat exhaustion. Incident happened late 1967. Drill Barge Investigator owned and operated by Zapata. <br />longstreath.com -
2013 6 14 Gabon Sigma Diving Systems 3-6m S/S Air French National, aged 28. Working on an old unused jetty to remove sheet piling with exothermic rods in the harbour of Port Gentil. Diver trapped in sand, buried up to chest. Had to be lifted out with crane using chain brothers around his chest. Not breathing on recovery to surface, revived and medivaced to Johannesburg, then later, on to France. No details known of his current condition. Various emails. -
2014 3 17 Khater Youssef Saudi Arabia Subtech 29m S/S Air Egyptian, aged 26, diving off the Zamil 403 (57 metres long, 4 metre draught, Bahrain flag, built 2012, China), four point moored, in the Persian Gulf, north of Al Jubail , lost communications, stand-by diver found him on the seabed with his helmet off, did not respond to treatment. Longstreath. Leak investigation on a live 12" water injection pipeline at between 800 and 900 psi. "The diver successfully attached the marker buoy to the pipeline but it became fouled under the vessel. In order to free the buoy the diver was asked to move it to the far side of the leak. At the time of the dive, visibility was reduced as it was approaching sunset; the diver used his hat-mounted light to navigate. In addition, the tremendous noise of the leak on the live pipeline severely hampered voice communications between the diver and diving supervisor. Once the diver had detached the marker buoy he started to move along the seabed beside the pipeline. He was on the same side as the leak. The diver appeared to look down at some debris and, as he stepped over this material, he was struck by a jet of the high pressure water coming from the damaged pipeline. All communication with the diver was instantly lost. The standby diver was deployed immediately using the second diving basket. Within 5 minutes he had located the stricken diver who was lying on the seabed. The dive helmet (KM37) was no longer on the diver's head but was lying beside him with the neck dam still attached. Both divers were recovered to surface. All attempts to resuscitate the injured diver failed; he was later pronounced dead by a doctor who had been helicoptered offshore. IMCA SF 6/14 -
2014 5 30 Lee Min-seop South Korea S/S Air Aged 44 or 46 (Conflicting reports), killed in an underwater explosion whilst cutting an access hole into the hull of the capsised ferrty 'Sewol' that sank off southwest Korea on the 16th April during the search for bodies. Second diver to die on this operation (Lee Kwank-wook, 6th May), "A boom and a moan were heard, the diver was pulled to the surface, he was bleeding and unconscious, given CPR and transferred to hospital but declared dead there". Lee entered the water at around 1:50 pm to cut open the stern of the hull from the fourth deck, but as the operations drew to a close at around 2:20 p.m., a problem arose with the sound of crashing. At the crashing sound, two other divers at the scene pulled Lee out of the water but he was found to be unconscious with blood running from his nose and eyes, officials said. The chief neurosurgeon at Mokpo Hankook Hospital, said an X-ray and CT scan of Lee showed that both of the diver's lungs had been damaged by external injuries. "We suspect that he died from tension pneumothorax," the doctor said, referring to a condition in which the amount of air in the chest increases markedly. At the time of his death 288 people known to have died, 16 still missing. Reported by the BBC et al. -
2013 12 1 Argoncillo Alex UAE Scamp / Gubunco 60m S/S Air One of two divers employed by Scamp Middle East reported as having died in November/December 2013 (The second was not named but was initially reported 'not diving related' but no details, waiting on clarification from Scamp. Later reported that the other death occurred on November 14th and was diving related). Philippino, Vessel husbandry job off Fujairah, unclear whether he got entangled in a brush cart umbilical or his diving umbilical was caught in the vessel propellor. No details, his best friend, Alex Tejedar, died in Italy in April 2013 (Costa Concordia salvage works, but death was not diving related). PC. Another report states that the incident occurred on surface supply when the divers umbilical caught in cleaning chariot brush, diver surfaced and removed band mask, chariot started to pull diver under water, standby diver launched ( in SCUBA) and gives second stage to diver in distress, diver bites off 2nd stage, rescue abandoned, diver pulled under water and drowned. PC -
2013 10 23 Guidry Earl USA J & J Diving 5m S/S Air Aged 40, Port Sulphur, Louisisana, airlifting 10 feet below the mud line, he was found with his helmet off, not wearing a bailout, Facebook/Longstreath. Contractor fined $7,000 by US dept. of Labor "Employer did not ensure that an adequate safety assessment was made of underwater conditions prior to a diving operation". No real details. -
2015 2 18 Castro de Melo Airton Brazil S/S Air Aged 39, From Amazonas province, working at Porto Cai N´água (On the Madeira river in Rondonia), pulled to the surface with a head wound. Reported as either struck by a submerged tree trunk or more likely an injury from the cross river ferry cable he was working on. Reported by Alerta Rondonia -
1993 10 13 Locke Stewart UK J Allan Diving Services 3 S/S Air Hired by Customs and Excise to recover £20 million worth of drugs (Cannabis) from the yatch 'Ambrosia' beached on Scotstown beah (Peterhead, Scotland). Diving contractor was fined £1,200 after some kind of legal deal. Allegations during the inquiry that he committede suicide by cutting his umbilical, Sherriff determined it was accidental death with the most probable cause being that he got into difficulties and was forced to cut his umbilical and ditch his helmet. Diving conditions in the rough shallow water were described as 'hazardous'. Criticism by the Sherriff for it only a 3 man team (the diver, a supervisor who doubled as stand-by diver and an unqualified tender), lack of involvement/supervision by Customs and Excise, lack of communication with a police diving team on site. Widow intended to sue (defunct) diving contractor and Customs and Excise. No further details. Reported in the Herald Scotland -
1993 10 16 Roussy Eduardo Canada Oceantech (Quebec) 5 S/S Air Aged 26. Air diving quals from Fort William in 1992, also CSWIP 3.1. Accident occurred 15th October, Inspection dive at the Scott Paper plant on Crabtree dam, uncontrolled ascent and then swept over outfall, helmet still on and lifeline intact but umbilical severed, recued (It took between 5 and 10 minutes to pull him back to the dive site) but died in Montreal General hospital the next day (Life support removed as he was brain dead). Coroner criticised lack of planning, method of work, lack of co-ordination, inadequate risk assessment, lack of emergency response procedures. Cause of death recorded as asphyxiation/acute anoxic encephalopathy following severed umbilical, no physical injuries. No stand-by dressed in. Nobody realised umbilical severed and helmet was left on (disorganised rescue resonse, rest of team not familiar with the helmet locking system and couldn't unclamp it). Coroner noted that "everybody acted in good faith even though they did not know what to do (Factory workers helping out) which unfortunately resulted in a death that could have been avoided if the helmet had been removed quickly". Also home modified Dive Dynamics helmet - had a cross connector added so baliout gas would flow out into the umbilical as well as the hat (No check valve). Quebec Coroner's Report -
2015 7 15 Seabrook Luke Canada Pauls Diving Services S/S Air Aged 39, From Dartmouth in Nova Scotia, undertaking an inspection dive on the Annapolis tidal power plant. Lost contact about 13:00, pulled from the water at 14:40. Tangled, recovered by stand-by diver. Had to battle Bay of Fundy tides (was working bay-side of gate in the causeway). CBC News -
2016 7 15 Pereira Fredson Leal Brazil 8m S/S Air Aged 33 from Itaituba, Pomba river in Cataguases, around 11:00, working in a trench (gold prospecting, they suck a trench through the mud to get to the river bed gravel to test for gold deposits), 100kg stone dislodged and landed on his back, found pinned under the rock, mouthpiece out, drowned -
2021 3 3 Gockerell Anthony Glen USA Grayzone Seafood and Trade LLC 23m S/S Air "Aged 35, father of four, wife expecting another, geoduck harvesting in the Dungeness West geoduck tract in the Strait of Juan de Fuca 6 miles East of Ediz Hook. Air line entangled at around 08:30, pulled to the surface by deck crew and given CPR during transit to Port Angeles where fire department medics continued treatment as he was transferred to the Olympic Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead at 09:46. Reported by the Peninsula Daily News.Accident Investigation. OSHA Summary Nr: 133933.015 Event: 03/03/2021 Employee Is Killed After Drowning During Clam Harvest Dive At 8:30 a.m. on March 3, 2021, an employee was finishing a 70 foot dive to harve st geoducks (clams) and had just completed a 10 foot rest to slowly equalize pre ssure before returning to the boat. The air line the employee was using became t angled and he was unable continue his ascent. During the time he and his coworke rs (the boat crew) were attempting to free his air line, his mask came off causing him to drown." -
2020 10 27 Paxton Alex USA Georgia Power S/S Air "Aged 31, Oliver Dam near Columbus, reported as drowning, 'had to be rescued and transported to Piedmont columbus regional Emergency Room, pronounced dead', possibly Differential Pressure but no details, reported by WTVM OSHA summary stated t 2:30 p.m. on October 27, 2020, Employee #1, Coworkers #1 and #2, and their supervisor, divers employed by a civil engineering construction company, were engaged in a diving operation at a lake dam. They were assigned to conduct inspections and repairs to several gates and chains. During a solitary dive with an umbilical supplying breathing gas and video, Employee #1 climbed down a long ladder to the water's surface. He then descended into the water, sliding down the chain with his right hand while feeling the side of the dam face with his left hand to guide his way down. At a depth of approximately 15 to 20 feet, his left hand came into contact with a 10-inch hole in the dam's face that led into a Penstock Pipe. Differential pressure caused the employee's left arm to be sucked into the pipe up to his shoulder. He cried out and then went silent and unresponsive. The dive supervisor attempted several times to communicate with Employee #1 but received no response. The supervisor instructed Coworker #1, the backup diver, to go into the water. Coworker #1, after reaching Employee #1, reported that Employee #1 remained unresponsive with no signs of breathing. Coworker #1 was unable to free him from the pipe. Several dam employees were called to the scene, and one of the dam operators closed a valve which released the diver from the pipe. Coworker #1 brought Employee #1 to the water's surface, where he was attached to the emergency retrieval system, removed from the water, and placed on the main deck where emergency medical technicians were standing by. Employee #1 was transported to the hospital, where he was declared dead. The subsequent investigation reported that mechanical asphyxiation may have been the cause of death. At no time had Employee #1 lost air. OSHA concluded contractor complacency, lack of knowledge of site, lack of risk assessment, no LOTO, did not verify valve closed, ineffective use of flowmeter, client complacency, lack of knowledge of own systems (Did not know which valve to close), flawed LOTO procedures (Logbook showed valve closed but it was not)" -
2021 12 12 Sawiran Herman Indonesia 11m S/S Air Palembang, South Sumatra. Family diving team of two bothers and a brother-in-law (the victim) led by father installing a PDAM pump (high volume unit weighing 3 tons). Diving on an air compressor with a 100 metre hose hookah set up to check pump status. Hose went tight then broke, stand-by dived in. Diver had gone head first into the pump, head and torso missing, hips and legs recovered to surface. Divers questioned why the pump was running whilst they were doing the inspection. Reported in Indonesian Press. -
2021 7 15 Wood Jaxxyn Lee USA Bulldog Diving S/S Air "Aged 19, inspecting inlet pipes at the LG & E Mill Creek Power Plant (A 1972 coal fired power plant set in a 544 acre site on the Ohio river supplying power to Louisville, Kentucky). Initial press reports stated 2 man team, 'lost communications' and 'sucked into a pump'. Reported by 14 News, houston Chronicle and others. Later social media reports stated 4 man team (Including the diver's brother) which exceeds the minimum OSHA 3 man team, pump LOTO but adjacent pump running in next bay. Appear to have windows between bays that should have been blocked by power plant personnel (part of LOTO procedure). Diver was in water in zero visobility to confirm stoppers in place prior to commencing debris clearance, umbilical sucked through open window trapping diver. Unclear if he had a bailout but body not recovered for several hours. OSHA questioned contractor's umbilical management, LOTO verification, zero flow verification, clients LOTO and stop logs. Accident Report Detail. Accident: 137498.015 - Employee Is Killed On Dive After Being Pulled Into Pump. Report ID: 0452110 -- Event Date: 07/15/2021. On July 15, 2021, an employee performing underwater diving operations at a elect rical generating station inspecting pipes and clearing debris from a pump basin. Coworkers for the power company reported to the dive crew that the stoplog gates ""should be in place"" but they were unsure. The employee verified that LOTO was performed on the two pumps in the immediate work area and the employee entered the water to check for the presence of stoplogs and water flow. The employee mistakenly verified that stoplogs were down and that there was no water flow or cur rent present (which was incorrect). The employee then continued his work and returned to the water to make a last check of the area. During this final check, the employee's umbilical was caught in a current caused by a pump in an adjacent bay that was still in operation. The current pulled the umbilical into the pump, which in turn, pulled the employee into the pump, killing him." -
1998 7 0 Rig 'Glomar Arctic IV' Rig Disaster Semi Sub, explosion, 2 fatalities -
1992 9 29 Rig 'Blake IV' Rig Disaster Jack Up, Blow out, caught fire -
1992 8 7 Rig 'Marlin 3' USA Rig Disaster Jack Up, Hurricane damage -
1968 8 0 Rig 'Little Bob' USA Coral Drilling Rig Disaster Jack Up, drilling off Louisiana, fire. -
2012 4 5 Craig Ryan USA Triangle Diving, Bermuda 3 Rebreather Aged 25, Canadian, described as an experienced commercial and technical diver, working as a diving instructor in Bermuda, died whilst using a closed circuit rebreather in 9' of water off Grotto Bay. The owner of triangle Diving Bermuda - his employer - is quoted as saying "Technical divers are used to losing people. We're on the cutting edge, exploring new frontiers and with any type of new frontier you will always have losses. We are experts in technical diving and have all the certifications, but accidents can happen". Bermuda Sun. -
2011 8 2 Marzouk Ismail Egypt Blue O2 60 Rebreather Aged 33, IANTD technical diving instructor working out of Hurgada died on a deep wreck dive (90 metres?) dive off Marsa Alam with three British tourists, apparently stopped breathing at 60 metres (suspected oxygen toxicity) and dropped into the depths, the three tourists surfaced without incident, instructor's body not recovered. Family raising questions about about lack of any SCUBA/Sports/Tourist/Technical diving standards or enforcement in Egypt. Wife and baby daughter. A second fatality - that of a Russian diving instructor - was reported on the same day but no detailed reports located to date. NB, Tourist diving instructors - esppecially technical diving - appear to have a very high fatality rate but are not generally reported. Reported by ahramonline -
2010 11 29 McCarthy Peter Joseph Thailand 80 Rebreather British, aged 47, diving instructor, disappeared on an 80 metre deep dive into the mouth of a submerged volcano off the Thai island of Koh Tao with a party of eight other British and Italian divers at about noon, local time, on Monday. The other instructor on the dive told Thai media that Mr McCarthy did not come up after the nine man hour-long dive. Each of the divers had two hours of oxygen. The other divers used up their remaining oxygen in searching for their instructor, reports said. The instructor was described as a very experienced technical diver - expert in a specialised type of scuba diving that uses a mix of gases to allow divers dive go deeper and for longe (Technical diving). The original diving group consisted of the two instructors, four men and three women. Mr McCarthy had a diving licence issued in the Gulf of Thailand province of Chumpon. Daily Mail UK -
2010 9 10 Lower Rob USA Self Employed 23 Rebreather Aged 29, professional rare fish collector (selling to the aquarium trade) reported as diving to 75m to 100m on a daily basis.. Diving for Masked Angel Fish, a rare species off the island of Kauai. Mild DCS symptoms from a dive the previous day to over 90m depth, he dived to 75m without a viable dive computer (Dive computer failed a few days prior to the accident, reported that the replacement computer either did not support a fixed PPO2 or was not available - conflicting reports). Replacement computer would not have his very high tissue compartment loadings in any case. Surfaced from the 75m with DCS symptoms which became worse on the boat, flown to a chamber and recompressed, stopped breathing in the chamber and failed to respond to reatment. Reported Cerebral Embolism. Reported that he had been tol that his dive practices were extremely hazardous but chose to dive when he knew he did not have adequate decompression data and was already suffering from DCS, also reported to have claimed he could "feel the nitrogen coming out of him", so did not need a deco computer. Reported by reefbuilders, hawaiiskindiver etc -
2010 7 29 Dobrajc Ziga Italy 4 Rebreather Aged 31, Slovenian biologist working at the Piran Marine Biology centre, diving on a 'Trieste HBY' rebreather off Miramar, injured in the same incident that killed Samo Alajbegovich on the 25th July. He was recovered from the sea unconscious by rescuers 10 metres from the shore in less than 4 metres of water. On life support in hospital for 4 days, declared brain dead, life support switched off. Reported in Slowwwenia.enaa.com -
2010 7 25 Alajbegovich Samo Italy 7 Rebreather Aged 41, Slovenian biologist working at the Piran Marine Biology centre, diving on a 'Trieste HDT' rebreather off Miramar, body located in 7 metres of water 200 metres from the beach location where his diving partner, Ziga Dorajc was pulled alive, but unconscious (He subsequently died in hospital), from the water 4 hours earlier. Reported in Slowwwenia.enaa.com -
2010 7 21 Wesley Skiles USA 21 Rebreather Aged 52, Professional underwater photographer and explorer of underwater caves in Florida, diving 3 miles off Boynton Beach, found unconscious on the seabed by colleagues, did not respond to treatment. Gainsville Sun -
2010 5 25 Costa Dr. Paolo Italy 107 Rebreather Aged 60, dive team of 4 people filming for Rai 3 programme "Geo and Geo" on Sardinia (Oliena, Nuoro) in an underwater spring (Su Gologone). Reported as becoming ill (Heart attack) during the ascent, failed to respond to treatment. A companion who assisted him up was treated for omitted decompression. Vip.it -
2009 12 7 Azoulay Sgt. Gal Israel Naval Commando 3 Rebreather Aged 19. Night training dive for Israeli Naval Commando, simulation of combat dive in enemy port. “The dive was a group exercise, carried out in pairs, simulating a combat dive at an enemy port. The divers had completed similar exercises dozens of times since the beginning of the course. The exercise was supervised by Navy commandos on boats as well as on the beach, and an ambulance and a medic were standing by. The dive was supposed to last two or three hours, and each diver was to take turns being the lead diver. Some 90 minutes after the dive began (Around 02:00), when Azoulay became lead diver, he stopped responding to the routine once-a-minute check. When his partner realized that he was not responding, he carried him to the surface and fired a flare gun to mark their location. Within seconds, a boat arrived and Azoulay was given CPR. He was pronounced dead on shore 40 minutes later.' investigation by Israeli Defence Force concluded that he died from oxygen poisoning. One press reports that this was the first fatal accident in training for the unit since 1995, another states that an 18 year old soldier from the same unit was killed during a training exercise designed to “test underwater breathing about three years ago� Jerusalem Post -
2009 9 19 Gunderson Jerry USA Rebreather Paraphrased from press reports:- “Aged 75, started diving for golf balls in 1953, when he was 19. His passion for diving for golf balls led to the founding of a chain of seven golf-supply stores, was found dead in the centre of the lake at the Deer Creek Country Club in Deerfield Beach on Saturday. Drowned. One of his sons died while diving for golf balls in a lake 27 years ago. "I lost my brother to the water, too," said Jerry Gunderson's other son, Marc, 53 who used to dive for golf balls himself. Jerry Gunderson started retrieving, collecting and reselling golf balls soon after his first dive as a teenager. At first, it was the simple act of fishing out the golf balls in a Lake Worth course in the 1950s, washing them, and reselling them. But he went on to build a Deerfield Beach-based chain of golf-supply stores called International Golf. He sold the business a few years ago and worked as a freelance diver for smaller companies. -
2009 6 20 Terzuoli Joseph USA 70 Rebreather American, aged 46. Ran a wreck diving company diving from the 50' diving boat 'John Jack', took a party to dive on the WW1 wreck of the 'Texel'. Diving solo, SCUBA rebreather, apparently caught in fishing lines. Recovered by crew members. Had started diving again even though he had had a triple heart bypass in April, two months earlier. -
2009 5 24 Spencer Carl Greece 120 Rebreather British, aged 37. National Geographic Expedition filming the wreck of the 'Britannic' (Sister vessel to the 'Titanic'). British Hospital ship sank by a mine in 1916 with the loss of 30 lives off the Greek island of Kea. Reported to have surfaced rapidly, unconscious, flown by military super puma to Athens Naval Hospital, but did not respond to treatment -
2009 5 5 Smith Dewey USA Aquarius Underwater Laboratory Rebreather American, aged 36, Scientist working at the Aquarius underwater laboratory (Florida Keys), operated by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, (part of NOAA) at the laboratory (a teaching facility), 'assisting military divers with a saturation mission', found unconscious on the seabed, did not respond to treatment, autopsy reported as inconclusive. -
2005 8 21 Tychansky Gerry Canada CJ Productions Rebreather Aged 43, during filming of low budget horror movie "Marina Monster" at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. He was pulled lifeless from the water after towing a film prop shaped like a shark. Natural causes, heart attack, coroner indicated natural causes but also concerns with equipment maintenance -
2004 7 27 Londo Luigi Italy Geomar 14 Rebreather 34 year old, off Trieste, three divers together off a small boat free swimming clearing pipeline outlet, died during the dive -
2003 12 6 Norwood Michael Palau TV 76 Rebreather British TV presenter filming a documentary in the series “ Deep Sea Detective�. Technical dive on the wreck of the second world war wreck of the USS Perry off Palau. Ran out of gas, attempted sharing, lost consciousness, failed to activate reserve, did not respond to treatment. -
2001 7 24 Murray David UK RN 81 Rebreather Diving from the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre at Kyle of Lochalsh, RN "Could not reveal the nature of the men's dive" Aged 28, a member of Fleet Diving Unit 3, based at Horsea Island in Portsmouth for just 6 weeks, failed to surface and was reported missing on the morning of July 24. His body was recovered that afternoon. The cause of the incident was not reported pending a Board of Inquiry. -
1972 5 8 Stein Wendel Edward 'Del' British Virgin Islands 27 Rebreather Aged 24, diving from the oceanographic research vessel 'Neap Tide' off Peter Island. Reported as 'surfaced around 5 o'clock after apparently having trouble with the rebreather pack he was wearing' USCG flew in a doctor by helicopter from the air and sea rescue base on Puerto Rico but he was pronounced dead two hours after surfacing. No details. Reported in the Virgin Islands Daily News