SeaLab by Ben Hellwarth

[Sam Miller III]

Ben,

You might want to invest in The six DVD-ROM "The complete National Geographic" which covers every Nat Geo from 1888 to present . The price around $30.00 dollars. I acquired mine at a Costco in Yuma Arizona about a year ago

As a very serious diving bibliophile about 50 years ago I began collecting Nat Geos related to the UW world - when they could be purchased for as little as a penny a copy. Concurrently I also acquired the "Nat Geo Index" which I reviewed and marked for all articles relating to the underwater world. Soon I had all of them up to 2000. I removed the front and back cover and the articles organized in chronological order and had bound in Nat Geo hard binding. A lot of work but one of a kind....but I strongly suggest the six DVD-ROM "The complete National Geographic" for $30.00.

I look forward to meeting you at the SCUBA Show this weekend in Long Beach, Acquiring an inscribed copy of your book and chatting about the Hanes Keller dive--There are only one or two remaining, Jim who is 84-5 and my self who is right behind him in years, who were involved and witness to that event and it should be documented in a book--By You!

My presentation "Way Before Jacques...." is on Saturday at 3 to 4 in the Sea Side room. If time permits drop by. The program should be an eye opener...

SDM

 

[Sam Miller III]

Jim is about the only civilian still around who was on the mother ship...and not getting any younger buy the minute. Jim Auxier and Chuck Blakeslee of SDM have been gone in Jim's case about 15 years and Chuck about 5 years. Last Contact his Wife Jere was still alive but also ageing.

Harry Wham who took all the on board photographs has been gone 20 plus years...He would have been a gold mine of pictures...I will Chat with you about Harry on Saturday evening at the casino event --very tragic tale.

I can't recall who was on the private boats at the dive. We were spread out in a huge circle around the mother boat and communicated via shouting.

I will be at the OCUPS ( Orange county UW Photo Society) booth some time on Friday during set up.

If you are in the area drop by and inquire,
(By the way Son Dr. Sam IV will be there Saturday there is always confusion)

SDM

 

[Sam Miller III]

Ben,
What a delight finally connecting and having a set down face to face meeting.

I must apologize for missing you Sunday presentation. I had arranged a ride back to CenCal with the understanding we would leave at 12:00 after your presentation, some how the departure was changed to 11:00.

I hastily purchased your book with my hard earned CenCal dollars, gave it to Patrick Smith for you to present to you for a "lavish" inscription, which I understand was accomplished. Now the book is in SoCal at Patrick's home but will be mailed to me shortly. One man's trial and tribulation in aqireing your book.

Keep up the fantastic work - our short diving history needs to be documented only documented correctly and you are the man to do it. If I can ever be of assistance feel free to call on me.
SAM

 

[SEALAB Author Ben H.]

Thanks, Sam, and I hope you have your signed copy by now. In fact today marks the official release of the Audible Audio Edition of SEALAB. So now you can listen to the full story of the pioneers who did a lot to get diving know-how to where it is today - and you won't have to worry about soggy pages or squinting when on a dive boat.

 

[Sam Miller III]

My wife a huge SF Giants fan so we traveled to LA for the game ...the SF Giants lost...but all was not lost, we visited with Pat Smith at his lovely water front home and picked up my 'Lavishly inscribed" edition of SEALAB. I thank you very much for the kind words. The book has been placed in a place of honor in my dive library

You put a heck of a lot of work into that book and it shows. It is one impressive book! A book because of its content will be around for a long long time and will become a modern diving collector's book.

Cheers

SDM

 

[Dnaber]

Hi Ben,

I'm sure your book is wonderful but at $19.00 for the Kindle edition.... seems a bit steep. Sorry I can't support you but you need to think about lowering that price. I'll buy used.

 

[emoreira]

Solved... Erased

 

[emoreira]

I have just finished reading your book. It catched me and I couldn't stop reading. A wonderful work and I was left wanting more. Many things now to follow up about the subjects and themes written.

 

[SEALAB Author Ben H.]

Thanks so much, emoreira. I'm so glad you enjoyed my book and got so much out of it. In response to Dnaber, I have nothing at all to do with pricing but I hope you were able to get a cheaper new or used hardcover copy. There seem to be plenty out there. . . the first chapter can be read on my website, by the way. And a happy anniversary to SEALAB I and America's first four aquanauts, who were getting ready to surface 50 years ago this week. . . much more about that and other adventures in the book, of course, but here's a brief synopsis I recently wrote, on the occasion of SEALAB's 50th:

Zócalo Public Square :: Is the Final Frontier Under the Sea?

Cheers,

Ben