CLASSIC DIVE BOOKS
Locality -
Local histories often provide an excellent source of information on
commercial diving, particularly in standard dress. Whereas the text may
not be extensive in some, they are a worthy inclusions here as the information
itself is often detailed and of course relevant to the commercial needs
of the location. And the photographs are extremely important as an historic
record of the region.
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HOMEPAGE |
Please note: The books are listed for interest only,
and not offered for sale.
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WHITSTABLE - UK | . |
THE
DIVERS
Helen Evans and John Bevan Published by: Canterbury Museums (UK) in 1990. Printed card covers - 12 pages (not numbered). Dimensions: 21 cms tall by 29.5 cms wide. Roughly A4 landscape format, this booklet outlines the importance of Whitstable in the history of diving. It outlines the "Deanes' Patent Diving Apparatus" with photos of patents and the original helmet made by Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd. It goes on to tell of the discovery of The Mary Rose by the Deanes, takes a look around Whitstable looking at buildings like The Divers Arms and Dollar Row as well as the diving characters from the town, including John Dean, the Ganns and Weasel Rigden. There is also a section about The Whitstable Salvage company and its divers. The back covers has prints from watercolours showing items recovered by John Deane in the 1830's. [pt] |
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THE
DIVER'S TRAIL
Subtitle: An Illustrated Tour of Whitstable's Historic Diving Locations. Published by: The Friends of Whitstable Museum and Gallery. Printed card covers; 24 pages (un-numbered). Dimensions: 21 cms tall by 10 cms wide. This is an invaluable illustrated guide for an historical diving tour around Whitstable, in the UK. It takes the reader/walker around 22 places of diving interest, starting at the diving exhibit in the Whitstable Museum & Gallery. It takes the walker to historical divers homes like the Deanes, Thomas (Weasel) Rigden and the Ganns. It also looks at "Dollar Row", built by John Gann with dollars salvaged from the wreck of the Enterprise in 1834. Stag Cottage, the original diving store built by the Deane's still stands you even find the whereabouts if the very narrow "Squeeze Gut Alley". To complete the walk, you must take a car journey to the neighbouring Herne Bay to visit "the Divers Arms" which was built by John Wood with his share of the salvage of the Enterprise. The pub sign shows two divers - sadly all the divers pubs in Whitstable no longer exist The booklet is very well illustrated so it would be very difficult to miss the items of interest on the walk. Copies of this booklet can still be bought from the museum on the following web site: www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=883 [pt] |
TARPON SPRINGS - USA | . |
IMAGES
OF AMERICA - TARPON SPRINGS
Dolores A Kilgo Published by: Arcadia Publishing, Mount Pleasant, USA in 2002 Printed card covers (softcover); 128 printed pages. Dimensions: 23.5 cms tall by 16.5 cms wide. This is one of those local history books that are written about various places; this one tell the history of Tarpon Springs in the USA - reputably the "Sponge Capital of the World". It covers the history of the area, the start of sponge diving and the influx of Greeks to dive for the sponges in deep water along with views of the sponge sales markets. The book is extremely well illustrated with at least two monochrome photographs and accompanying text on every page, several of the sponge diving activities. It is divided into seven sections: "Early Settlers on the Anclote and the Bayous", "From Bayou Village to Winter Resort", "Bailey's Bluff and the Developing Sponge Industry", "Civic Pride and Progress", "The Sponge Capital of the World", "Greek Comunity and Culture" and " Unique Local Attractions". [pt] Additional sales blurb: " Tarpon Springs, the South's Mediterranean port city named for the abundant fish found off its coast, is hailed as the "Sponge Capital of the World." The oldest town in Pinellas County, Tarpon is located along the Anclote River where the river flows into the Gulf of Mexico. History in this coastal community dates back to the 1800s with the arrival of the first settlers. The advent of the railroad and the building of the Anclote Key Lighthouse brought many positive changes to the area; wealthy Northerners flocked here creating a winter haven while numerous fishing vessels plied city waters. Enterprising entrepreneurs boosted the city's economy and reputation with the harvesting of sponges. The Greek immigrants who came to the area to continue their traditional trade of sponge diving forever enriched the city's cultural makeup with their families and customs. Today, the progressive community continues to be a shining example of historic preservation and cultural variety. Images of America: Tarpon Springs celebrates the fascinating history of "the Venice of the South" and invites readers to experience this breathtaking locale through words and vintage photographs. Rare images, including scenes of the early sponge divers, businesses, residents, festivals, and celebrations, abound in this unique volume. Natives, visitors, and history buffs alike will delight in this visual tour of a picturesque and historically interesting community. Author Bio: Drawing from the valuable resources of the Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society and the Florida State Archives, author Dolores Kilgo has created an entertaining and educational photo history to be treasured for years to come. She is an educator, writer, lecturer, and museum consultant." |
Publishers and Distributors 303 Commercial Road, Yarram, Vic 3971, Australia Phone (03) 5182 5108 International 61 3 5182 5108 Email: peter@oceans.com.au |
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OCEANS ENTERPRISES homepage, link on graphic. |