The Orkney Image Library
No: 384 Contributor: Craig Taylor Year: 1935
Help us get organised! If we haven't correctly identified which area this picture is best listed under, please select it below and click Done!
Craig writes:
'Please see attached photographs which were taken by a relation of mine, but I unfortunately have no dates when they were taken. Maybe someone can help with dates. Any further information would be most welcome.
A bi-plane flying over what I think are the flotation devices which were used during the salvage of German ships?'
Picture added on 12 November 2004
External Links
Fishing Boat Videos
Fishing Boat Videos
Are these the airlocks used to enter the ships hull? With such a drop between tides these airlocks were made up by joining the boilers ( of which Ernest Cox had in large quantities from the salvaged destroyers )together.The divers would then enter the hull working in compressed air to do their amazing work of patching all the holes prior to refloating the ships. I don't think people of today realise what a fantastic achievment this was given the antiquated gear used at the time!For those who are interested there is a fantastic book by Gerald Bowman entitled " The man who bought a Navy " I thoroughly recommend it ! I would love to acquire some copies of the photographs used in this book.
Added by Robert Hanley on 12 March 2007
Events
