Entries by Allan Kessler

Jervis Bay Maritime Museum and Gallery

14/04/2018 in , , /by

This week (11th April 2018) I was lucky enough to be able to visit this great maritime museum in Huskisson, near Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia. The museum has several distinct sections of maritime related items.  In the room furthest from the entrance thy have a private collection.  This collection would be the envy […]

Redbill – a pearling lugger

10/04/2018 in /by

Redbill was built in 1903 at Fremantle as a pearling lugger by Frederick Parkes, Herbert Parkes and Arthur Harding. She began her pearling career in Broome and a couple of years later she became the sole property of the Parkes brothers. Photo: Redbill loaded with pearl shell taken from Editha In June 1919 Redbill became […]

2018 Photo Competition

19/02/2018 in , , , , , /by

The Historical Diving Society Australia Pacific regularly produces publications, website and social media posts, and promotional materials. The HDS Aus-Pac Calendar has become a much sought after item, and we are always looking for high quality images for Classic Diver front covers. The Committee has decided to encourage members to submit images which reflect activities […]

Leut Frederick Lowrie RAN

05/09/2017 in , /by

This year (2017) marks the 75th anniversary of RAN (navy) diving at HMAS Penguin. HMAS Penguin (II) (Balmoral) was commissioned on 14 July 1942. This post is about the first officer in charge of diving at HMAS Penguin.

John Johnstone

23/08/2017 in , , /by

John Johnstone (Johnno) was borne in England and emigrated to Australia as a young man. He was already well known as a diver in Australia when he was asked to take part in the salvage of the Niagara. This ship had been travelling from England to the US loaded with gold bullion to pay the […]

The Oil Drum Diver

15/08/2017 in , /by

by Des Williams HDS Aus-Pac During the 1930s, many young men were inspired by the deep sea exploring exploits hero of the time, William Beebe, who astounded the world with his descents in his bathysphere, to depths never reached by man until that time. Many home-made diving helmets were reported in the Australian press, a […]

Helmet Diving in Australia – The Earliest Record

08/08/2017 in /by

by Des Williams – HDS Aus-Pac When was helmet diving first employed in Australia? This is a question we often get asked at the Historical Diving Society and one which we are now able to answer with some certainty, following our detailed historical research.