Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1956-03-21


sea creation to the "other work."
descriptions. Everything has a
blue-toned luminescence in which
the reds of the coral formations,
and the browns and dgreens and
yellows of the underwater foil
age are accentuated. 1t is an easy
matter to become distracted from
work and wander away from
your group in this magic world,
no matter how often you enter
it. The men, however, seldom
wander far, for they are acutely
aware of the dangers that exist.
Also a buddy by hammering on
his air bottle with the ever
ready hatchet may bring his en-
raptured team-mate to his senses.
At any appreciable depth, not
only the body but the mind OPP
crate with reduced speed and
facility. A problem solved by
reflex action on the surface be-
comes a matter of thought be-
cause of the underwater envir-
Comment, when speed is essential.
Barracuda are an ever present
menace in warm waters of the
caribbean: sharks are not taken
too seriously on most occasions,
as any movement towards them
sends them off in a tiZZy like
skittish, timid horses. The worst
enemies underwater are the
pests such as sea urchinS which
sting and poison anybody who
appens to step on them. Then
there is the so-called fire-coral
which can seriously burn a man
who touches it.
Among the we'll known ply
Biological hazards to men who
work underwater are embolism,
bends" and the like. Nitrogen
narcosis can be serious as it
produces the light uncaring feel
ing of an intoxicated man, and
may strike at depths of less than
$50 feet which has been cited at
the critical depth at whichthis
condition may arise.
Alcrtness is so important in
the business of underwater pho
Biography, that the men drill at
1T all the time. Each hncw as
signmcnt is challenge, and the
variety of jobs to be done keeps
interest and enthusiasm at a
high pitch. Members of the team
have been pulled under water
IharncSscd to a submarine; they
have explored 30 year old
wreck of Sunkcn freightcr;
they have literally had to push
their way through swarmS of
large fish living in the hold of
this freightcr. Whereas a great
deal of the work of the team IS
classified. the men make il 4
practice to get in certain a.
mount of footagc, as well as still
pictures, for library and refer
IcnccS purposes.
There are several lonG-range
projects underway at this time.
lone is concerned with the tur-
bidity OF sea water. its causes,
Its effects. and possible allevia-
ton. If the studies bring out
ways and means TO deal with
.turbidity, then the photography
'Dr the team will benefit and b.
'.of better quality. Other work is
}, being done on underwater il
! Illumination. When satisfactory
lighting can be managed under
water. completely new vista will
be opened To tn" Camuraman
Attention is being given TO the
use OF filters with members of
the team constantly experiment.
ing and striving for better color
balance underwater. One of the
major current problems Of the
Navy in underwater photo
graphy is the development o
truly coroSion-proof undcrWate)
cameras and equipment. Re-
search is also being done t.
adapt film better to the Strang,
Cclor and light conditions founC
below the surface of the sea.
In tic short time since the
ndcrwatCr Photographic team
as been organized, useful and
| worthwhile services have been
| CrtOrmCd for the bureaus. In
addition, much has been learned
| " mcthodical experimentation
m the best way to get desired
"CSults with camera and film
underwater. As the work of the
team continues, the navy will
gain new knowledge on a vast
md enormously important part
of the Carth-thC upper l00-ft.
layer of the ocean.
Next week | will be back with
more stories of the sea. and the
| people that are on it, So. until
next week. let me leave you
with this thought Wh.n you re-
|CgivC your caster seals in the
mill. us, them and give gcncr-
IDusly to the Easter Seal Fund.
A child that is crippled and I'M
able 10 play or 90 to school be-
cause Of this malady is one Of