Basic gear from the mid-twentieth-century Federal Republic of Germany

[David Wilson]

Popular Science magazine had an article about spearfishing with goggles, fins and home-made breathing tubes on the Mediterranean in its July 1939 issue. Read it at HUMAN SUBMARINE Shoots Fish with Arrows - Popular Science (Jul, 1939). Two images from the article:

The home-made frontal snorkel, resembling a curved length of hose, is referenced as a "breathing tube". A "Schnorchel/Snorkel" wasn't fitted to any German submarines until 1943 or so! During World War II, spearfishing provided coastal populations on the Mediterranean with much-needed extra rations.

 

[Sam Miller III]

@David Wilson
Great research ! Your efforts are appreciated
It is now established that a breathing tube was used as early as 1939=80 years ago

Some where ? In my library which is currently a disaster I have a 1930s article from a defunct SOCAL news paper in which describes equipment needed for "UW hunting." I cannot recall if it mentioned snorkel or a breathing tube - or if they were in common usage at that time.

Keep up the great work !

Sam Miller, III

 

[David Wilson]

I recall on several occasion we some how discussed Barney Girden an American who had a 1930s patent on the swimming tube which became the snorkel . He never any financial rewards for his invention . Sam Miller, 111

Possibly the following patent?

 

[Sam Miller III]

That is the one-- Barney B Girden -- who could forget a name like that?
I also have a copy of the patent -- filed away - some where ?
Barney B Girden -Unknown and forgotten for his contributions to the diving world.

After Dick Bonin retired and I was retired so we had time on our hands and chatted often - on all aspect of our lives from raising children to climbing stairs (Dick had hip problems I have knee problems ) and on occasion diving. I was a long term member of the Long beach Neptunes and he joined the tribe after his retirement, so spearfishing was often discussed

I vaguely recall our conversation about Barney- He invented a product, that was not required by the public but when is did become popular his patent had expired or the manufacture made enough changes to void a patent infringement.

Poor Barney did not reap much from his invention of the swimming device aka snorkel

Sam Miller, III

 

[David Wilson]

Barney seems to have been a very busy boy indeed in the patent business:
1932: US1845263. Swimming device
1941: US2247657. Game apparatus
1942: GB544393. Game apparatus
1942: CA404782. Game apparatus
1959: US2888010. Swimming mask with snorkel means
1959: GB820353. Improvements in or relating to a face mask combined with a periscopic device for swimmers
1959: US2909959. Swimming face mask with periscope
1959: FR1195243. Dispositif de périscope perfectionné pour nageurs
1961: DE1099919. Tauchmaske für Schwimmer
1962: US3018579. Device for catching fish and other submarine life
1962: US3020911. Mask
1963: US3112503. Swimming device
1964: FR1364921. Palme de natation
1965: US3166083. Breathing apparatus for swimmers
1965: US3183530. Swimmer's safety buoy and float
1965: GB996096. Apparatus for exchanging coastal tidal waters with fresh sea water
1969: US3465964. METHOD OF CONTROLLING SMOG
1970: US3529313. PADDLE FOR SWIMMER
1972: US3632508. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DESILTING AND/OR DESALTING BODIES OF WATER
1972: US3683627. INDUCED CONTROLLED UPWELLING
1973: ZA7204141. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MINING
1974: US3814422. REBOUND BOARD FOR TABLE HANDBALL
1976: US3950030. UNDERWATER MINING
1981: US4245475. Method and apparatus for producing electricity from thermal sea power
1981: ZA7906541. IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICITY FROM THERMAL SEA POWER
1981: BR7907936. PROCESSO E APARELHO DE PRODUZIR ELETRICIDADE UTIL A PARTIR DA ENERGIA TERMICA DE UMA GRANDE MASSA DE AGUA
1982: US4355513. Method and apparatus for producing electricity from thermal sea power

 

[Sam Miller III]

Good gosh -- when did Barney ever sleep?

As Dick stated he was always searching or aware of for patent infringements

This opens up a new area of research -- the unknown American dive inventor
Thank you so much for your extensive research- believe me it is appreciated

SAM

 

[David Wilson]

Returning to the Barakuda snorkel range, the next catalogue entry in line is 1960, when two models were illustrated:

German: "Der BARAKUDA-SCHNORCHEL dient dem Taucher zur Atmung während er an der Oberfläche schwimmend durch die Tauchmaske das Leben unter der Wasseroberfläche beobachtet. Das Ventil schließt die obere Schnorchelöffnung bei Eintauchen gegen Eindringen von Wasser ab. Geübte benutzen das ventillose Schnorchelrohr und blasen nach dem Auftauchen das eingedrungene Wasser mit der restlichen Atemluft Material: farbiger Kunststoff. Der BARAKUDA-SCHNORCHEL ist mehrfach verwendbar:
1) Ohne Ventil mit geradem Rohr für Geübte.
2) Bei tiefer Rückenlage, durch Umstecken des Mundstückes auf das gerade Rohrende.
3) Für weniger Geübte durch zusätzliches Aufstecken des Ventils.
Preis: Schnorchel kompl. mit Ventil DM 4,85. Schnorchel ohne Ventil DM 2,60. Einzelteile: Ventil sep. DM 2,25. Mundstück sep. DM --75. Mundstückbogen sep. DM 1,50."
Rough translation: "The BARAKUDA SNORKEL enables the diver to breathe as he swims at the surface and observes through his diving mask the life below the surface of the water. When submerged, the valve shuts off the aperture at the top of the snorkel, preventing water ingress. After returning to the surface, experienced divers who use the valveless snorkel tube will blow out the ingressed water along with the remaining breathed air. Material: coloured plastic. The BARAKUDA SNORKEL can be deployed in multiple ways:
1) Experienced divers remove the valve from the straight end of the tube.
2) When lying on the back in a deeper position, attach the mouthpiece to the straight end of the tube.
3) Less proficient divers attach the valve.
Price: Snorkel complete with valve: DM 4.85. Snorkel without a valve: DM 2.60. Spare parts: Valve sold separately: DM 2.25. Mouthpiece sold separately: DM --75. Mouthpiece elbow sold separately: DM 1.50."

The illustrations enable comparisons to be drawn between the valved and the valveless versions of this breathing tube. My tentative conclusion is that they are identical except for the shut-off valve fitted to the top of the left-hand model: a basic J-shaped design and a removable valve. Further evidence is the availability of the valve and the mouthpiece as separate replacement parts. That leaves the "mouthpiece elbow" (Mundstückbogen), which I presume is the small length of tubing on which the mouthpiece is mounted.

 

[David Wilson]

1961 not only brought a new Barakuda catalogue in German but also a version in English. Here's the snorkel entry in the former:

German: "Der BARAKUDA-SCHNORCHEL dient dem Taucher zur Atmung, während er an der Oberfläche schwimmend durch die Tauchmaske das Leben unter der Wasseroberfläche beobachtet. Das Ventil schlieBt die obere Schnorchelöffnung bei Eintauchen gegen Eindringen von Wasser ab. Geübte benutzen das ventillose Schnorchelrohr und blasen nach dem Auftauchen das eingedrungene Wasser mit der restlichen Atemluft hinaus. Material: farbiger Kunststoff. Der BARAKUDA-SCHNORCHEL ist mehrfach verwendbar:
1) Ohne Ventil mit geradem Rohr für Geübte.
2) Bei tiefer Rückenlage durch Umstecken des Mundstückes auf das gerade Rohrende.
3) Für weniger Geübte durch zusätzliches Aufstecken des Ventils.
Der Barakuda-Schnorchel ist sowohl mit starrem als auch mit biegsamem Mundstückbogen lieferbar. Preis: Schnorchel kompl. mit Ventil DM 4,85.
Schnorchel ohne Ventil DM 2,68."
Rough translation: "The BARAKUDA SNORKEL enables the diver to breathe as he swims at the surface and observes through the dive mask the life below the surface of the water. When submerged, the valve shuts off the aperture at the top of the snorkel, preventing water ingress. After returning to the surface, experienced divers who use the valveless snorkel tube will blow out the ingressed water along with the remaining breathed air. Material: coloured plastic. The BARAKUDA SNORKEL can be deployed in multiple ways:
1) Experienced divers remove the valve from the straight end of the tube.
2) When lying on the back in a deeper position, attach the mouthpiece to the straight end of the tube.
3) Less proficient divers attach the valve.
The Barakuda snorkel is available with both rigid and flexible mouthpiece elbows. Price: Snorkel complete with valve: DM 4.85.
Snorkel without valve: DM 2.68."

So substantially the same as 1960, but note the absence of replacement parts on sale. I mentioned an English-language version of the 1961 catalogue. Apologies for the blurriness of the text due to the low resolution of the original image; I have appended a reproduction of the wording for the sake of clarity:

"SNORKELS"
with ball or lever valve, cplt Order No. 111.
without valve, Order No. 112.
Spare parts:
ball valve, separate, Order No. 112a.
lever valve, separate, Order No. 112b.
mouthpiece, separate Order No. 112c.
mouthpiece-bow. sep. Order No. 112d.
SNORKEL WITH VALVE. SNORKEL WITHOUT VALVE.
Description: Coloured plastic tube with mouthpiece fitting between the teeth or with mouthpiece in the form of a curved tube made of soft polyvinylchloride with securing strap. Ball valve of stout polystyrol.
Purpose: For making underwater observations while swimming on the surface (the swimmer breathes through the tube when his face is underwater). Where the snorkel has a valve, this shuts when the swimmer dives and prevents water from entering the tube. The experienced diver uses a snorkel without a valve and, on emerging to the surface, blows out the water that has entered.

Not the most felicitous translation into English, I have to say, and "mouthpiece-bow" makes me wince, if the German original said "Mundstückbogen", meaning the elbow or curved section of tubing leading to the mouthpiece!

 

[David Wilson]

I'll finish today with a glance at the 1962 snorkel offering, which contained information and advice about the humble breathing tube as well as illustrations of a new range of models:

German: "SCHNORCHEL. Sofern keine Schnorchelmaske verwendet wird, ist es zweckmäßig, einen separaten Schnorchel zu verwenden. Dieser wird links oder rechts unter das Maskenhalteband geschoben und das Mundstück so eingesetzt, da der Gummilappen vor den Zähnen und hinter den Lippen liegt. Die Beißzapfen werden durch den Zahndruck festgehalten. BARAKUDA-Schnorchel gibt es in zwei Grundausführungen, nämlich mit festem Bogen oder flexiblem Bogen. Da zudem jede Ausführung in zwei unterschiedlichen Ventilarten und auch ohne Ventil geliefert wird, umfaßt das Lieferprogramm somit sechs verschiedene Schnorchel. Schnorchel ohne Ventil laufen beim Abtauchen zwar voll Wasser, lassen sich aber nach dem Auftauchen durch kräftiges Ausatmen wieder leerblasen.

Bitte beachten Sie: Alle Schnorchel dienen einzig dem Zweck, von der Wasseroberfläche aus pausenlos atmend die Unterwasserwelt zu beobachten, ohne jedesmal den Kopf aus dem Wasser heben zu müssen. Länge und Querschnitt der Schnorchel sind genau berechnet. Versuchen Sie also niemals, durch Verlängerung des Rohres damit zu tauchen. Schon in etwa einem halben Meter Tiefe wäre es unmöglich zu atmen, da dort der Wasserdruck bereits stärker als die Atemmuskulatur ist.

Zum Schluß noch ein wichtiger Hinweis, auf den Sie mit Bekannten gern hohe Wetten abschließen können: Mit einer ABC-Ausrüstung (Maske, Schnorchel bzw. Schnorchelmaske und Flossen) ist es unmöglich, Nichtschwimmer zu sein.

Der Grund: Weil der Kopf im Wasser liegt und zusätzlich vom Luftraum der Maske getragen wird, ist er leichter als Wasser und drückt nicht mehr wie sonst beim Schwimmen durch sein Gewicht den Rumpf mit hinab. Da außerdem die Atemluftzufuhr durch den Schnorchel garantiert ist, bleibt jeder Mensch — auch bewegungslos — an der Oberfläche, ohne ertrinken zu können. Die Wassertiefe spielt hierbei keine Rolle.

Die ABC-Ausrüstung macht also aus jedem Nichtschwimmer automatisch einen sicheren und schnellen Schwimmer!"

Rough translation: "SNORKELS. If a snorkel-mask is not deployed, it is advisable to use a separate snorkel. This is slipped under the left or right side of the mask strap and the mouthpiece inserted with the rubber flange in front of the teeth and behind the lips. The bite lugs are held in place by tooth pressure. The BARAKUDA snorkel is available in two basic versions, one fitted with a rigid elbow, the other with a flexible elbow. What is more, as each version is available in two different valve types and also without a valve, there are six different snorkels in the range. Although snorkels without a valve fill with water during the descent, they can be emptied once more by exhaling vigorously after returning to the surface.

Please note: The sole purpose of all snorkels is to enable constant observation of the underwater world from the surface of the water without having to raise the head out of the water each time. Length and diameter of the snorkel are calculated precisely. Never try and dive with a tube you have lengthened. Even at a depth of about half a metre, breathing would be impossible, since the water pressure there will already be stronger than the respiratory muscles.
Last but not least, an important point on which you can bet high odds with your friends: With basic equipment (mask, snorkel or snorkel-mask and fins), it is impossible to be a nonswimmer.

The reason why: Because the head is in the water and has the additional support of the airspace inside the mask, it is lighter than water and no longer presses its weight down on the trunk as it would normally do when swimming. What is more, as the breathing air supply is guaranteed by the snorkel, each person remains - even motionless - on the surface, drownproofed. The depth of the water does not matter.

So the basic equipment automatically turns any non-swimmer into a safe and fast swimmer!"

The details about the six snorkels illustrated must wait until next time. I'll be back some time mid-week.

 

[David Wilson]

Moving on now to those six Barakuda snorkels from 1962 (above), we'll take them in the order of their stock numbers 301-306.

No. 301

German: "Schnorchel mit flexiblem Bogen ohne Ventil Nr. 301 DM 1,85."
Rough translation: "Snorkel with flexible elbow without valve No. 301: DM 1.85."

So what we have here is a basic J-shaped breathing tube with a straight open-topped valveless barrel and a flexible combination U-bend and mouthpiece fitted at the lower end. The model remained in production from 1962 to 1967.

The product description in an English version of the 1964 Barakuda catalogue reads thus: "Snorkel without valve, with mouthpiece-bow, 301." The original catalogue of that year says: "Schnorchel mit flexiblem Bogen ohne Ventil, mit Endschutz, blau. Best.-Nr. 301. DM 1,85. Mundstückbogen Best.-Nr. 301b DM -,90." The German roughly translates to "Snorkel with flexible elbow, top protector and no valve, blue. Order No. 301: DM 1.85. Mouthpiece and elbow. Order no. 301b: DM -.90." The "Endschutz" (top protector) is also visible in the 1962 product image but not mentioned in the accompanying description there. I assume this feature performs the same function as the somewhat longer top protector fitted to the Typhoon Model T7 of the early 1970s:

In 1966, the stock number changed from 301 to 801, while the price rose from DM 1.85 to DM 2.50. A further price rise from DM 2.50 to DM 2.85 came in 1967, which also turned out to be the model's final year of production.