Diver No. 1- Ready!

Chapter Two: FIRST DIVE

My team of Ensigns Malone, Lt (jg) Fergerson, Eckberg, and Lt. Watson, and myself, were told to report to the Diving Float on the 1600 to 2400 shift for training in Diving. It was cold, cold, cold on the river. The tide was washing in chunks of ice from the frozen tributaries further up that fed the North River. We had to put on long underware (sic), artic (sic) weather clothes, and extra wool mittens to keep warm. With the tide, there also drifted in the stinking brown mess from sewers and the white rubbery contraceptives dumped in thousands of toilets. I could not believe that we would be diving in such a cold stinking mess, but there were already divers in the water and as they came up they would be hosed off. We were waiting for these divers to finish before our turn came. Meanwhile, Lt. Mahan, the Diving Instructor, was explaining all the rules of diving that we had already heard in the classrooms, and further precautions that must be taken. Finally he asked for volunteers to make the first dive in our group. I had gone into the shack for a cup of hot coffee. When I came out of the shack with the coffee, I saw some Waves on the dock and waved my hand about the same time Lt. Mahan asked for volunteers. Next thing I knew a couple of sailors grabbed me and sat me in a chair and began dressing me in the diving suit. The only suit available was No. 3. Before I go further, I want to explain that there were three sizes of diving suits. No.1 for short to medium, No 2 for medium to tall, and No. 3 for extra tall. Since I had barely met the height requirement for the Navy by standing on tiptoes, I should have been put in No. 1 The canvas suit was pulled over my body, and it bulged out all over; then heavy iron soled shoes weighing 35 pounds each put on and laced, then a 25 pound brass breastplate placed over my shoulders and bolted to the suit, then 100 pounds of lead weight placed around my waistline with the folds of canvas suit sticking out all over, then the 75 pound brass helmet screwed on to the breastplace (sic) and the airhose and lifeline tied in place. Altogether I had about 250 pounds on my 150 pound body. When I tried to get up I couldn't. I was bent over double with my helmet hitting my knees, and I could not lift my legs. Two of my teammates grabbed my arms and helped drag me over to the ladder and the descending line with was a long rope that went down to the bottom. When I was able to get on the ladder and halfway in the water, my Tender, Ensign Fergerson, closed and locked my face plate which was the last communication I had with my buddies and fresh air. I thought this might be my last day on earth and said a little prayer. Over the telephone, I heard, someone say, I was Diver No. 1 and was I ready. I replied "aye, aye" although I wanted to say "no, no". He then told me to swing my legs over the descending line and ride it down to the bottom. No way. My legs were too heavy with the shoes. I tried several times but I just did not have the strength. Lt. Mahan, then called on the phone and told me to put my arm over the descending line and ride it" (again, that is where the page, and the chapter, ends)