RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] More youthful wetsub experiences

["Eli Frazier" <ecfrazier@worldnet.att.net>]

I think we would all love it if you scanned that photo and posted it in the
Gallery...

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org]On Behalf Of
tmsmalley@usinternet.com
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 8:37 AM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] More youthful wetsub experiences


A few years earlier (1964-65, I was 14 or 15 at the time) I did build a
simple wooden tow behind-the-boat "wetsub" that you laid down on plans
gleaned from another Pop Mech (Mech Illus?) article. I looked like I was
lying on a cross - only face down.

The cross' arms had diving planes hinged on the trailing edges. I ran an
airhose (from a gas-powered aircompressor I made from a $5 lawn mower motor
and an old air compressor) down the tow rope to a hotwater bottle air
reservior and mouthpiece that I had pulled the idea from another Popular
Mechanics story. A diving faceplate and fins to help steer completed my
ensemble.

Dad ran our 12 foot duckboat with a 9.5 HP motor (very slowly) and pulled me
along about 30 feet astern. I pushed the plane controls forward and down I
went, right into a weed bed of lilly pads! Ecchh.

The sub came to a screaming halt - and of course so did the boat. Mom, who
was watching out the front door of the cabin, thought "the old man" was
going to drown me for sure. I was fine, but the "sub" got put away after her
first dive. But subs were in my blood after that - plus a little CO from the
lawn mower engine!

I still have an old black and white Polaroid photo of me standing on the
dock with my homemade hookah diving rig. A very proud moment!