If you are interested in diving history, military diving or salvage operations, the annual conference of the Historical Diving Society in November should be in your calendar.
The main topics of the speakers’ presentations are Special Forces divers and salvage diving on World War Two German submarines.
Mike Whelam, whose latest book ‘Combat Divers: An illustrated history of Special Forces Divers, from World War Two to the Present’, will talk about the military divers of several nations, but mainly the British Royal Navy divers. As a former RN marine commando, his expert knowledge on the subject guarantees a riveting talk (His book will also be available to purchase at the conference).
Karina Kowalska will give also give an illustrated talk on the origins of the Special Forces in her native Poland. As an academic with a specialist interest in diving history and as the owner of a diving museum in Warsaw, she is an internationally recognised expert in her field and an engaging speaker with fascinating facts and images of military diving from the 1970s.
Two speakers from Denmark will be giving presentations on salvage operations on German submarines which were sunk during World War Two.
Sven Erik Jørgensen’s talk is entitled ‘A wreck diver’s diary of the salvage of batteries from German submarines (1950-51)’. Jørgensen is the editor of an excellent journal published by the Danish Historical Diving Society of which he is a founding member. He is a captivating speaker with an infectious enthusiasm for his subject – a wreck diver’s dream speaker.
His fellow countryman, Finn Linnemann, is a former Commander in the Danish Navy with extensive international experience in marine salvage and ordnance disposal. His talk on the salvage of the German U-boat U534 is certain to be one not to miss.
The conference will conclude with a short presentation on amusing views on diving, as seen through images, by Peter Dick, founder member of the Historical Diving Society and editors of its magazine and journal.
The conference, the HDC's 32nd, will be held at the Sutton headquarters of Subsea7 – global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the energy industry – on Saturday 18 November. Tickets cost £40 and include lunch, refreshments and free parking (on request, subject to availability).
It is an informal social event that is open to everyone and anyone who has an interest in diving.
Tickets and full details of the conference, the speakers and the programme can be found on the Historical Diving Society website.
