Morse Diving Helmet Used To Salvage The African Queen - Merritt Chapman & Scott

About Auction

Live

Nation's Attic 2024 Diving Into History Aucti...

By Nation's Attic Inc.

Aug 10, 2024

Set Reminder 2024-08-10 11:00:00 2024-08-10 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Nation's Attic 2024 Diving Into History Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/nations-attic/nations-attic-2024-diving-into-history-auction-16311
The Nation's Attic is hosting its annual Diving Into History auction on Saturday, August 10th, 2024. This year's event promises to be an extraordinary one, featuring a treasure trove of antique diving helmets and other related underwater treasures. Nation's Attic Inc. helmets@nationsattic.com

View Full Catalog (281)

• Lot Description

  This Morse diving helmet isn't just a vintage treasure; it's a participant in some incredible underwater feats. Crafted in Boston, MA, by Morse Diving Equipment in late 1942 or early 1943, it dates from a time when commercial diving equipment was scarce due to World War II military needs. The helmet's serial number (4511, present on multiple components) helps pinpoint its date of manufacture.
  
  The classic Morse ID plate adorns the helmet, but another ID plate reveals more clues to its fascinating past. The "M.C. & S. Corp Construction 51-45" plate signifies ownership by the Merritt Chapman & Scott Corporation, a renowned salvage company nicknamed "The Black Hose of the Sea." Founded in the 1860s, M.C. & S. tackled some of the most challenging underwater construction and salvage projects in the U.S. One of those projects was the S.S. Normandie fire at Pier 88 in Manhattan and subsequent salvage projects by M.C. & S in 1943. With this helmet's production date and the huge undertaking employed by M.C. & S., it’s a safe bet this helmet was part of that epic job!
  
  Fast forward to 1959. The oil tanker African Queen hits a shole off the Maryland coast, and disaster ensues. The huge tanker breaks apart with the crew narrowly being rescued. Deemed unsalvageable by M.C. & S. itself, the wreck is abandoned. The following excerpt from Time magazine October 1959 illustrates what happened next:
  Armed with shotguns and carrying provisions, two men stole aboard the 400-ft. hulk of the Liberian tanker African Queen as she lay stranded and shoal-torn ten miles off Ocean City, Md. It was March, and the sea pounded against the rusting hull of the ship, which had run aground three months before. With 200 ft. of her bow ripped away, the 13,800-ton African Queen had been officially abandoned by her owners; now watermen from Ocean City poked about the hulk, prying at loose fittings, taking everything movable that seemed salable. The two newcomers watched patiently until the others went ashore at nightfall. From that point on, no one was allowed on board the African Queen without their permission—and Lloyd Deir, 45, and Belden Little, 36, enforced the rule with their shotguns. Their purpose: to float the African Queen, claim her under maritime salvage laws and sell her as scrap for, they hoped, more than $1,000,000.
  
  Their epic adventure had just started, and quickly, they realized they needed help. The duo brought on John W. Crisp, who became an invaluable member of the team. The following information about this incredible diving helmet was provided to us by Mr. Crisp's son:
  
  I am the only living son of John W. Crisp who passed away February 10, 2016. My father was part of the salvage crew that floated the sunken tanker “African Queen” 9 miles off the coast of Ocean City Maryland which wrecked and broke apart on a sandbar in the spring of 1959.
  
  This shipwreck gained international interest and was the subject of a book written by Jerry Korn ( “The Raising of the Queen”) published by Simon &Shuster in 1961. In addition, numerous magazine and newspaper articles were written giving accounts of the heroic efforts made over many months by amateurs to raise the vessel, which was said by professionals to be unsalvageable.
  
  My father came aboard with Mr. Duke Morris, a professional deep sea diver as his diving tender and apprentice diver. After surveying the situation Mr. Morris decided, given the circumstances, to send for a duplicate set of diving equipment since there could be the need for rescue or equipment failure. The duplicate equipment included this helmet being offered on August 10. It was during this lengthy mission that my father experienced his first dives as support for Duke Morris. Although there were 2 compressors topside, neither were particularly well suited for this job as they were old, and in some ways, unreliable. There was a scuba diver on site as well, but never were there two hard hat divers in the water at the same time.
  
  Once the diving was completed Duke Morris left the ship with his primary gear, however my father stayed on board by request, to continue working on the salvage. These were his first dives without the oversight of his teacher and mentor, Duke Morris, as he completed inspection dives before the ship was finally under tow.
  
  The city of Norfolk and other Tidewater / Virginia dignitaries provided a hero’s welcome and subsequently a parade to honor the salvagers in Downtown Norfolk on Oct 31, 1959. I recall my Mother and Father riding on the back of a Cadillac convertible in that parade as a 5 year old. The city recognized them both with a pin of the City Mace and a banquet.
  
  Dad purchased the gear from Mr. Duke Morris and that began a career as a deep sea diver for my father over the next 12-15 years. This included work on the massive Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel project from the early 60’s. The helmet has been in our family ever since the raising of the Queen, and was passed to me upon his death. As the story goes the men who risked it all were robbed of their rightful reward, by insurance companies and lawyers who found a way to use the court system to wait out the salvagers who were running out of money for dry dock expenses. In essence they all just broke even with the courts allowing payment for what would have been their usual living wages.
  
  Even though he never got rich, he lived a rich, rewarding, life under the care of his Lord and Savior.
  
  A copy of this letter from Mr. Crisp’s son will be included with the helmet.
  
  This helmet itself is full serial numbers matching in all six locations (both neck rings and four brails)! The helmet is also matching with the Merritt Chapman & Scott numbers located on the bonnet and breastplate. The helmet retains its original four brails, 12 wing nuts, exhaust valve and internal chin button, window guards and glass, air fitting, spring loaded safety latch, and internal air vents. The period replacement communications fitting is also present. In addition, the helmet comes with its original non-return valve, whip, and air control valve, as shown in the photos completing this exceptional historic package.
  
  This classic 3-light, 12-bolt Morse helmet comes with a copy of the Saturday Evening Post article dated November 21st, 1959, a letter from the Crisp’s son, and a certificate of authenticity from Nation’s Attic. Owning this helmet is not just about acquiring a piece of equipment, it is about preserving a captivating story of maritime history.
  
  All diving helmets in this auction will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Nations Attic. The certificate will have a unique number that will match the number on a tamperproof hologram decal placed inside the helmet. This information will be kept on permanent file at Nations Attic and help ensure the provenance of the helmet and authenticity. The display stand shown in the photos is not included. The option to purchase one after the auction will be provided.
  
  All items will be shipped with a signature required upon delivery and full insurance either via FedEx or the USPS Priority Mail. Worldwide shipping is available; however, no ocean freight will be offered on large items. DHL Express is an option for international shipments under 600 pounds via air. Payment via bank wire for customers outside the USA is required. A shipping quote prior to the auction can be provided by emailing your postal code. International bidders are advised that some countries do not allow the importation of knives. Nations Attic is not responsible for shipping charges going or coming back if your countries customs denies delivery. Rejected items can be consigned into a future sale as there are no refunds.

• Shipping Info

  • Shipping fees listed with each lot pertain to domestic shipping only (contiguous or lower 48). International bidders are subject to higher shipping fees. Please inquire about shipping to a particular country before the start of the auction. Purchased items will be shipped on a first paid, first shipped basis and may take up to twenty (20) business days for said shipment to leave our (Nations Attic, Inc.) business. For time sensitive shipments, we (Nations Attic, Inc.) will expedite payment processing and shipping for a nominal fee. Items paid for by personal check are subject to a ten (10) business day hold for funds clearance. All domestic mainland items are shipped via FedEx ground or via USPS unless otherwise specified or requested by the customer. International shipments are shipped via DHL Express or FedEx Express. USPS is no longer used for international shipments due to issues with tracking packages. Insurance: All items are insured for the full purchase amount less carrier shipping charges, or the maximum amount allowed by the carrier and/or country of destination. Insurance is included in the specified shipping amount listed in the shipping section of the final invoice pricing. All invoices are sent with insurance already factored into the shipping charge. The customer has the right to waive any insurance amount by providing written consent that the customer will not hold Nations Attic, Inc. or its shipping carriers responsible for damaged and/or lost shipments due to uninsured/under insured packages. In some instances, we (Nations Attic, Inc.) reserve the right to only ship certain items if insurance is purchased for the full amount of the item(s) being shipped. International buyers are responsible for all duties and taxes. If shipment is rejected, buyer is responsible for all return shipping costs or disposal fees incurred.

• Payment & Auction Policies

  • Available payment options

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
• Buyer's Premium
  • 22.00 %