Swann (Christopher) commercial and deep sea diving research collection, 19th century-2000s, bulk approximately 1940s-2000s

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Title:
Christopher Swann commercial and deep sea diving research collection
Dates:
19th century-2000s, bulk approximately 1940s-2000s
Creators:
Swann, Christopher, 1942-
Abstract:
This collection contains magazines, brochures, newsletters, training and safety manuals, reports, and other files gathered by Christopher Swann in the course of his research into commercial and deep sea diving for his book The History of Oilfield Diving: An Industrial Adventure.
Extent:
2.92 Linear Feet (8 document boxes, 81 audiocassettes and CDs, 2 videocassettes, 1 DVD)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Christopher Swann commercial and deep sea diving collection, Mss 364. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains magazines, brochures, newsletters, training and safety manuals, reports, and other files, gathered by Christopher Swann in the course of his research into commercial and deep sea diving for his book The History of Oilfield Diving: An Industrial Adventure.

Brochures and commercial company literature cover an array of deep sea diving technologies, including breathing apparatus, suits, underwater robotics, submarines, and hyperbaric chambers. Training and safety manuals include United States Navy Bureau of Ships underwater and cutting and welding literature, Navy Medical Research Institute one-atmosphere diving systems, a Santa Barbara City College Marine Diving Technician Program project book (1972-1973), and Commercial Diving Center air mixed-gas instructional material from Wilmington, California. Serial publications include United States and international publications (France).

Research files cover early California offshore oil diving, general historical diving information, exploration drilling, ARCO divers (including correspondence and interview notes for Torrance Parker), pressure lab research (SUNY Buffalo), deep sea diving suits and helmets, Duke Atlantis experimental chamber dives, cold water studies, and "Quick Dive 1000" (Duke University). Research files also include recorded interviews conducted by Christopher Swann with members of the diving community.

The collection contains photographic prints of diving apparatus (1960s-1970s), photographic prints and other research materials related to Murray D. Black Marine Drilling and Blasting (1950s-1960s) as well as notes and biographical information prepared for Swann by Hugh "Dan" Wilson.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Christopher Swannn, 2018.
Arrangement:

The collection has been divided into the following series: Research files, Manuals and reports, Industry brochures, Newsletters, journals, and magazines, Research interviews, and Moving images.

Physical location:
Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Zachary Liebhaber, 2023.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-05-29 11:52:54 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research. Some materials may be restricted. Please contact the Department of Special Research Collections in advance to request access.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and are retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.

All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or their assigns for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Christopher Swann commercial and deep sea diving collection, Mss 364. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
Website