Description
Papers of James Stewart, former chief Diving Officer at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and scuba training pioneer.
The collection contains correspondence, professional materials, writings, photographs, and diving-related subject files and
diving manuals.
Background
James Ronald Stewart (b. 1927) first experienced diving as a teenager in the waters off the coast of San Diego, and proved
to be an adept diver from a young age. In 1951 he was inducted into the Bottom Scratchers, one of the first free-diving and
spearfishing clubs in the country; the admittance rate of the club was notoriously low, and required that applicants achieve
such feats as diving 30 feet and retrieving three abalone in a single dive. Like other divers during the 1950s, Stewart was
introduced to the advent of scuba diving largely through experimentation, trial and error, and collaboration with other enthusiasts.
He received a B.S. in Botany from Pomona College in 1953 and his teaching credential from San Diego State University in 1958.
He also studied graduate-level marine botany at both USC and the University of Hawaii.
Extent
10.8 Linear feet
(27 archives boxes, 1 card file box, 1 map case folder, and 9 films)
Restrictions
Publication rights are held by the Regents of the University of California.
Availability
Original media formats in SERIES 10) AUDIOVISUAL MATERIAL are restricted. Users may request viewing copies in advance.