The Com Line

Newsletter of the California Classic Equipment Divers

Published Quarterly by Dorothy Barstad Organized by Charles Orr and Duke Drake 1036 Gulf Ave. Wilmington, CA 90744 - www.geocities.com/cced_barstad

After the gear was packed away, the group meet at the Acapulco Restaurant for a great dinner followed by sea stories and BS in general. And, as the evening wore on, the sea stories got better. (I didn't say more believable.)

October 18, 19 and 20 - 7 to 10 pm
Reception and Classic Equipment Display, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
October 19 - 9 am to 4 pm
Conference Presentations, Santa Barbara City College. Guest speakers include Chuck Blakeslee, co-founder of Skin Diver Magazine; Dr. Alexander Sledkov, HDS Russia; Giancarlo Bartolli, HDS Italia; and Bob Ramsay HDS SEAP. BBQ lunch, exhibits & demonstrations. HDS-USA 10^th Anniversary Banquet from 6 to 10 pm, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
October 20 - 10 am to ?
Classic Working Diving Equipment Operation and Exhibit by members of Central Coast Working Equipment Group, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.

Last year the Rally sold out, so contact the HDS-USA at (805) 692-0072 ASAP. Cost of tickets for the Conference is $28; Banquet, $45. Advance order for both tickets - $65. Tickets are limited and sold on first come, first served basis.

In June, a get together and weenie roast was held at Charlie Orr's house to distribute the shipment of new Chinese TF-12-Y-4 helmets that were ordered last fall. The helmets finally arrived after long delays in shipping and lots of red tape to clear customs. The helmets are being modified by the "Firehouse Five" - Jocko Robinson, Mark Howell, Al Perez, Al Pilkington and Charlie Orr. Coms and pad eyes on the braile are being added now with air control valves, safety latches and a plexiglass front port to be added later on. One of the helmets was completed (coms and pad eyes) in time to give it a try at the August 10^th COO Rally. Everyone was very pleased with the increased visibility offered by the four lights.

A brief meeting was held on July 18, 2002 to discuss the plans for the Labor Day weekend event at the L.A. Maritime Museum on August 31. By consensus, it was decided to discontinue the meetings held bi-monthly at the Museum. The combined problem of varying work schedules and heavy Friday evening traffic has prevented many of the members from attending. The few hardy souls who braved the traffic often arrived still dressed in work clothes and without an opportunity to eat dinner after working a long shift on their job.

In the future, if something comes up that needs general discussion, a special meeting will be called and held at a pizza parlor or café that can provide a small meeting room and a place to get a bite to eat. (Or, how about a weenie roast under the big pine trees at Charlie's house.) Members living in the L.A. Harbor area will be notified by postcard, phone or e-mail for special called meetings.

Our heart felt "THANKS" to the L.A. Maritime Museum and Dr. Pete Lee for providing us with a room to meet during the past. It has been greatly appreciated by all of us and we may find it necessary to impose on their hospitality again at some future date.

Ace Parnell - Long time friend and CCED member, Ace Parnell and his wife Carolyn, moved to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in August.
Fred Lewis - Fred was gold miner on the Trinity River in Northern California during the 50s & 60s. In September he was "under the weather" and not up to being interviewed, but his story of being dropped into the Trinity Wilderness with all his gear to prospect for gold should be an interesting tale to say the least. As soon as Fred is up to having company, another date will be set to take pictures and do an interview.
Portside L.A. - On August 17, the L.A. Parks and Recreation opened the Phineas Banning Home and the Drum Barracks in Wilmington to promote the history of the L.A. Harbor. Booths were set up by various historical organizations as well as the L.A. Maritime Museum. A wagon and team of horses was used to shuttle visitors to the Drum Barracks where a Civil War re-enactment group had set up camp. What was missing was representation from Banning's Landing and the early history of the development of the L.A. Harbor. After talking to several of the organizers, we have been invited to set up a booth and take part in next years event.
Tonga Stainbrook - Grandson, Jerry Stainbrook, is searching for information about the life and career of his grandfather. Contact Jerry at stainbrookbears@email.msn.com
Divers Day - A tentative date has been set for March 23, 2003 for Divers' Day at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
COO San Diego - The COO has opened their new campus in San Diego. A dive rally will be held there as soon as the tanks are completed. This will also be in 2003.

Somewhere in the deep confines of the Diablo Nuclear Plant near San Luis Obisbo, California, there is rumored to be a Mark V in perfect condition. The only problem - it is radio active! Apparently the hat was used by a diver for an annual inspection of the cooling system. After completion of the job, the hat was so radio active that it was confiscated by the plant and is now forever stored in a secured area.

Often we hear rumors or tales of a great old helmet stored or found in a warehouse, old barn or forgotten dive locker. A CCED member tells of the helmet he was offered. However, before he had a chance to see it, he lost contact with the seller. Finally, after hiring a private detective to trace the guy down, and in a state of excited anticipation, he made a 50 mile trip to see the helmet only to find that it was a reproduction.

We heard of a helmet in Yuma, Arizona, that was being used to set in front of the fireplace. A couple of years went by before we finally got in touch with the owner and dropped by to see the helmet that was "just like the one her dad had used in the Navy." By this time the helmet had been "retired" to the spare bedroom. Fully expecting to see a repo, we audibly gasped when we walked into the bedroom and there sit a beautiful Mark V under a layer of Arizona dust. The hat is in perfect condition including all the original tinning and all matching serial numbers. Her father had never actually dove the helmet but had received it as a Christmas gift from his son. After the father passed away, the helmet was passed on to the daughter and is now a prized family possession because "Dad had once been a Navy Diver."

Recently, a friend sent me pictures of an old helmet that he was considering. Not sure if the helmet was authentic or worth the price, he wanted someone else to take a look at it. I almost fell off my chair when up popped pictures of a rare 5-bolt Morse, all original with only a few work dings. Would you believe this beauty was setting in a neighbors garage and they were glad to get it out of the way!

So, when you least expect it . . . .

~ Charlie Orr

John was born in Los Angeles, but grew up in a small rural town in Utah. After graduating from college in 1983, he left Utah and joined the Marine Corps, returning to Los Angeles in 1987. Like many youngsters of his generation, John's interest in diving started when he was probably 5 to 7 years old, sitting around with all the neighborhood kids (all in swim masks of course) watching episodes of "Sea Hunt" on TV.

In 1978, he completed his PADI open water certification. "My check out dives were in Bear Lake, Utah, in April, in very, very cold snow run-off. Three 20 minute check out dives were crammed into a day and a half of shivering by a bonfire on the beach. My instructor said it was a great way to learn, since NO future dives would ever be as miserable. - He was right!" John is now PADI advanced open water certified.

In the early 90's, an outfit in Plymouth, England, had a business, letting people dive in their old Siebe-Gorman standard dress set up. The total cost for the weekend was about $2,000. John said he was very tempted, since he had always wanted to try it. "Too many John Wayne movies as a kid I guess." He never got around to it, but it was something that was always on the "Wish List."

John has never worked as a professional diver, but in 1979, he assisted the sheriff's department from his old home town to retrieve a body from the bottom of a lake. Since then, he is happy to say, his diving has been strictly recreational. John also has a small collection of vintage scuba gear, and would love to start using it in open water. John met Leslie Leaney at the Pomona Gun Show in the mid 90s and bought an old helmet from him, and joined the HDS. "When I saw the CCED website in 1999, I knew it would at least be a once in a lifetime chance to take a dive. Fortunately, it has turned out to be so much more."

In 1987, John joined the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. After spending two years in the jail (not as a resident), he was activated for the Persian Gulf War. Upon his return from "seven months of fun vacationing in the sand," he was assigned to the West Hollywood patrol station and has been there ever since. How does a farm boy from Utah, wind up in a place like West Hollywood?... "Well actually, those first few months were certainly eye openers, and "interesting" to say the least. Now, after 11 years, I can't imagine a more fun place to do my job."

Recently retired as a Major from the Marine Corps Reserve, John is a history/archaeology buff, and a rabid baseball/football fan. He also enjoys sailing and snow skiing. During the past 18 months he has worked as a volunteer, helping to build two 90' wooden brigantines with the Los Angeles Maritime Institute. "I can't wait to start sailing on them this fall."

Dear Charlie:

On behalf of the Friends of Banning's Landing, I thank you for having the Classic Equipment Divers do a diving demonstration at Banning's Landing this past June. The crowd loved the demonstration and we enjoyed seeing your divers dance to the beat of the Southland Band!

Thank you for working with us on planning this event. We hope that as more people learn about the Center we will continue to have these types of events with a bigger crowd. It is great to have you all out here to educate the community on the diving history at Banning's Landing.

The Friends of Banning's Landing thank you for your support of the Center and the harbor area community. I look forward to working with you all again in the future.

Sincerely, Alina M. Bueno, Chairperson

For the time being, we've decided to discontinue our regular bi- monthly meeting at the LA Maritime Museum.

The meetings were originally set up to discuss upcoming events and club business, but more importantly, to sharpen our dive and tending skills and to promote safety in and out of the water. This is very important for our new members. Un-fortunately, in the summer months we were lucky to have three members attending.

Other subjects that need constant review are emergency procedures on deck and in the water. Line pull signals are very important and are actually considered the PRIMARY method of communication, not the divers phone. Knot tying is important, and Harold Nething is going to help us out on that subject.

With everyone's help, I think we can make the next meeting much more productive and have a great time too. On September 20, the meeting was held at Dive 'n Surf in Redondo Beach. Al Pilkington demonstrated how to use the bail out bottle when the diver had a complete loss of air. Also, Al showed us how to ditch the weight belt and ankle weights for a quick assent. All this being done in the safety of a 9' deep swimming pool. The meeting was informative and fun.

The next meeting will be announced via postcard. We are open to suggestions so please contact us with your ideas. Dive safe and see you all at the HDS-USA Rally in October. ~ Charlie Orr

We have a new shipment of CCED T-Shirts which include navy blue as well as the black and grey shirts. The shirts are Hanes Beefy T's, with a Mark V Helmet on the back encircled with the name "California Classic Equipment Divers." The printing is a combination of black, grey, white and gold. On the front, left side, is a double-hose with twin bottles, also encircled with the group name. Sizes Medium - XX-large. Cost is $15.00 plus $4.00 for mailing - total $19.00 if mailed. Limited number available! State size & color desired and send with check to Charlie Orr, 1036 Gulf Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744 or by phone @ (310) 834-7051- E:mail: neverbent@aol.com

• Wanted - Early US Diver J-valve, pre1953 with the side yoke mount. 1956 US Divers catalog. Pair of WWII black Churchill swim fins. Any parts for pre 1953 US Divers regulators (metric) double hose regulator. Mark Howell (949) 770-4920; e-mail: LAFireboat@aol.com
• Will Trade - Brand new large 12-bolt Russian suit for an X-Large Chinese 12-bolt suit in same condition. Mike Valentine 2534 Garland St, Eureka, CA 95501. Phone (707) 268-5665.
• Antiques of the Sea, Sunset Beach - Erik Bakker Nautical items, both old and new. If you are looking for a specific item give him a call at (562) 592-1752.
• Compressed Air Specialties Inc. - Sue Stearns 1340 S Simpson Circle, Anaheim, CA 92806 Phone: (714) 991-8800