Guide to the Christopher Swann commercial and deep sea diving research collection Mss 364
Finding aid prepared by Zachary Liebhaber, 2023.
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara 93106-9010
Business Number: Phone: (805) 893-3062
Fax Number: Fax: (805) 893-5749
special@library.ucsb.edu
2023 August 29
Title: Christopher Swann commercial and deep sea diving research collection
Identifier/Call Number: Mss 364
Language of Material:
English.
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear Feet
(7 document boxes, 81 audiocassettes and CDs, 2 videocassettes, 1 DVD)
Creator:
Swann, Christopher, 1942-
Date (bulk): approximately 1940s-2000s
Date (inclusive): 19th century-2000s
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.
Physical Location: Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research. Some materials may be restricted. Audiovisual materials must be reformatted for access.
Please contact the Department of Special Research Collections in advance to request access.
Use Restrictions
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.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Christopher Swannn, 2018.
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.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Deep diving -- Equipment and supplies
Underwater exploration -- Equipment and supplies
Underwater exploration -- History
Deep diving -- Electric equipment
Deep diving -- Study and teaching -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Deep diving -- Safety regulations -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Deep diving -- Periodicals
Instructional and educational works
Technical reports
Safety regulations
Newsletters
Interviews
Oral histories
Handbooks and manuals
Military manuals
Photographs
Swann, Christopher, 1942- -- Archives
Research files
approximately 1890s-2003
box 1
Murray Black, marine drilling and blasting
1980s-2003
box 1
Murray Black, photographic prints
undated
box 1
Doctor Edward Lanphier, M.D. SUNY Buffalo Research Lab, pressure chamber
1990s
box 1
Anthony Lerios, Helmets of the Deep
1990s
box 1
Bev Morgan, photographic prints, Purisima submersible
1960s-1970s
box 1
Penny J. Widwell, Cold Water Studies, Duke University, "An Evaluation of Diving Suit Configurations"
1970s
box 1
Commercial Diving Center, Wilmington, California, course and other information
1980s
box 1
Duke University Atlantis, experimental chamber dives
1980s
box 1
Diving, historical information
undated
box 1
History of oilfield diving, papers
undated
box 1
"Quick Dive 1000" Duke University
1970s
box 2
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Institute for Environmental Medicine
1990s
box 2
Miscellaneous historical
1930s-1950s
box 2
Hugh "Dan" Wilson
1960s-1990s
box 2
Gulf of Mexico, early drilling, photocopies of oilfield diver business cards
1940s-1970s
box 2
Early California offshore oil exploration drilling, diving (Torrance R. Parker), Arco transcript (divers Ted Benton and Peter
Brumis)
1890s-1991
box 2
Charles Isbell, Wilmington, California and Summerland, California, oil piers, photographic prints
approximately 1900
1940s
box 2
Comex, United Kingdom
1980s-1990s
box 2
DIVCON, Underwater Contractors and Engineers, Houston, Texas
undated
box 2
Aquamaster/Nikonos, Hydroscan, UMEL 2000ft. camera
undated
box 6
Long-term effects of diving
approximately 1998-2007
box 6
ROVs deep water development
undated
box 6
UK commercial diving regulations (offshore), Oxy-Hydro Underwater Cutter instructions
1997
1967
box 6
Epilogue (revised edition)
approximately 2010-2014
box 3, box 4
Manuals and reports
approximately 1940s-1990s
Scope and Content
Reports and manuals including underwater cutting and welding, one-atmosphere diving systems, hyperbaric welding, submersible
work chambers, atmospheric suits, tankers and terminals, Exxon, Brooks Institute (Santa Barbara) diving safety regulations,
underwater inspection, underwater camera housing ("build your own"), Commercial Diving Center (Wilmington California), Air-Mixed
Gas Diving Manual, consensus standards for commerical diving, and submarines.
box 5
Industry brochures
approximately 1970s-2000s
Scope and Content
Industry and company brochures, including Ocean Systems, Inc. DESCO, I.S.E. Group, Perry Technologies, COSEL, CAN-DIVE, AMETEK,
UMEL, IUC Group, DIVCON, Diverless Systems, Inc., General Dynamics, SUTEC, Slingsby, OSEL, ADS (Oceaneering).
box 7
Newsletters, journals, and magazines
Scope and Content
The total number of publications in this series in approximately thirty-one. Some titles contain only one issue, others, up
to five.
Publications include GEO, Plongees, Offshore, Materials Evaluation, le bloc, Industrial Photography, Journal of Petroleum
Technology, Underwater, Subnotes, Ocean Industry, and the Ocean-Ear.
Research interviews
1988-1995
Scope and Content
Audio recordings and transcriptions of interviews with oilfield divers and others involved with oilfied diving. Transcriptions
on CDs. Audio recordings on audiocassettes, microcassettes, and CDs.
Access Restrictions
Recordings and other materials in this series may contain sensitive information. Please contact the Department of Special
Research Collections in advance to request access.
item A43647/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-2
item A43648/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-3
item A43649/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-4
item A43650/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-5
item A43651/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-6
item A43652/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-7
item A43653/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-8
item A43654/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-1
item A43655/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-9
item A43656/CD
Christopher Swann Oral History Oilfield Diving Interviews Audio INTV-10
item A43657/CS
A Delauze-Swann 28.53; B Delauze Swann 53.65
item A43658/CS
A Delauze-Swann 0-15; B Delauze Swann 15/28
item A43659/CS
Bob Roberts, Bill Johnston; Bill Johnston, Bill Corn
item A43660/CS
Bill Cunningham, A.J. Field; A.J. Field, Joe Macinnis
item A43661/CS
Dr. Linaweaver; Dr. Linaweaver, Bruce Gilman
item A43662/CS
Anthony Gaurdano; Anthony Gaurdano, Dr. Linaweaver
item A43663/CS
Bill Corn, Charlie Duff; Dr. Lambertsen
item A43664/CS
Phil Nuytten (2), Bev Morgan; Bev Morgan, Kenny Knott
item A43665/CS
Dan Walker, James Dean; James Dean, Bill Cunningham
item A43666/CS
Kenny Knott, Dr. Peter Bennett; Dr. Peter Bennett, Paddy Mawsfield
item A43667/CS
Joe Macinnis, Charley Isbell (2); Bill Crowley
item A43668/CS
Don Thompson, Bob Mcardle; Bob Mcardle, Bob Roberts
item A43669/CS
Paddy Mansfield, Dick Frisbee; Dick Frisbee, Fred Miller
item A43670/CS
Fred Miller, Paul Heckert; Paul Heckert, Dan Walker
item A43672/CS
Jim Mullen, Don Thompson; Don Thompson
item A43673/CS
Plongeurs Du Fruid, Janus IV; Janus IV, Hydra VIII, Seaber One (Hyp. Weld)
item A43674/CS
Georges Arnoux, Alan Krasberg; Alan Krasberg
item A43675/CS
Alan Krasberg; Vic Humphrey, Frank Murray
item A43676/CS
Pete Metsow, [illegible], Morris Byhay, Georges Arnoux; Georges Arnoux
item A43677/CS
Bill Currie, Ken Beck; Ken Beck
item A43678/CS
Vic Humphrey, Frank Murray; Vic Humphrey, Frank Murray, Julian Thomson
item A43680/CS
Roy Giles, Malcolm Williams; Malcolm Williams
item A43681/CS
Herb Newbury; Herb Newbury, Pete Metsow
item A43682/CS
Cyril Lafferty, Dr Tom Shields; Dr Tom Shields, Dutchy Holland
item A43683/CS
Dr. Nick McIver, Notes: Dr. Elliott, Dr. Hemalekan; John Bevan, John Bevan
item A43684/CS
Dutchy Holland; Dutchy Holland, Kurt Hendricks
item A43685/CS
Gt. Yarmouth; Dr. Nick McIver
item A43686/CS
Malcolm Williams, Dr McIver; Gt. Yarmouth, Various
item A43687/CS
John Bevan, Dr. Robix Cox; Dr. Robin Cox, Cyril Lafferty
item A43688/CS
Carl Helwig, Roy Smith; Roy Smith, Ken Wallace
item A43689/CS
Henri Delauze; Henri Delauze
item A43690/CS
Cindy Warner; Cindy Warner, Tom Hollobone
item A43691/CS
Tom Earls, Peter Edel; Peter Edel
item A43692/CS
Henri Delauze; Henri Delauze
item A43694/CS
Mike Hughes, Paul Greenke; Paul Greenke, Woody Treen (2)
item A43695/CS
Johnny Johnson; 1. Johnny Johnson, 2. J. Harter
item A43696/CS
Ken Wallace, Dennis Webb; Dennis Webb
item A43697/CS
Dennis Webb, Dick Evans; Dick Evans
item A43698/CS
Jack Smith A/B; Tom Angel B
item A43699/CS
Georges Koskas; Georges Koskas, X. Fructus
item A43701/CS
Julian Thomson, Ric Wharton; Ric Wharton, Notes- ABC Maritime Museum, Bill Currie
item A43705/CS
Woody Treen (2), Al Warriner; Al Warriner, John Douds
item A43706/CS
Gene Gallagher; Gene Gallagher, Murray Black
item A43708/CS
Mark Ranjavich; Mark Ranjavich
item A43709/CS
Walt Gray, King Williams; King Williams, Joe Schouest
item A43710/CS
Dick Evans, Murray Black; Murray Black
item A43712/CS
Tom Angel; Tom Angel, Bob Johnston
item A43713/CS
Bob Johnston, Jean Valz; Jean Valz, Carl Helwig
item A43714/CS
Torrance Parker, Mike Hughes; Mike Hughes
item A43715/CS
Andre Galerne; Andre Galerne
item A43716/CS
Al Hanson; Al Hanson, Lou Cunningham
item A43717/CS
Lou Cunningham, George Yax; George Yax
item A43718/CS
Walt Thompson, Andre Galerne; Andre Galerne
item A43719/CS
Phil Nuytten, C.B. Momsen; C.B. Momsen, Barney Clancy
item A43720/CS
Joe Schouest, E.R. Cross; E.R. Cross, Jim Mullins
item A43721/CS
John Douds, Ray Spillers; Ray Spillers, Dr. Ralph Brauer
item A43722/CS
Woody Treen; Woody Treen, Phil Nuytten
item A43723/CS
Murray Black, Gene Gallagher; Gene Gallagher
item A43724/CS
J.G. Sanford; J.G. Sanford, Jack Smith
item A43725/CS
Barney Clancy, Torrance Parker; Torrance Parker
item A43726/CS
Jack Smith, Bob Barth; Bob Barth, Laddie Handelman, 24 August 1990
item V16794/VHS
Expeditions to the Edge, Episode 109, Sunken Sub (videocassette)
2005 March 28
item V16795/DVD
Dan Wilson (DVD)
undated
Scope and Content
1. Helium Oxygen in Action 13:35
2. OSI Purisima and Submarine Research and Development 16:28
3. Shell Salvage (Shark Scene) 18:00
item V16796/VHS
Videocassette from the Rev. Edward H. Lamphier, M.D.
undated
Scope and Content
Includes seven minutes on the State University of New York at Buffalo environmental physiology research lab, including the
pressure chamber.
