CHATHAM: HDS DOCKS WITH THE PAST

The HDS visits historic Chatham
home of the Royal Engineers

Of all the historical sites regularly visited by The Historical Diving Society Working Equipment Group, Chatham in Kent is of particular interest.

Here, by virtue of a number of long and fascinating historical connections, not one, but several, diving traditions sit side by side. The Historical Diving Society ensures that all these are kept very much alive.

The Society has already paid one visit to Chatham this year as part of Navy Day's 2001 in May. However another visit is planned to the Royal Engineers Brompton Barracks Open Day in September, whilst both events are fixtures in The Historical Diving Society calendar.

Naturally the Society would be delighted to see old friends and new ones at Chatham events. Indeed the town's proximity to several Channel ports makes it ideal for visitors from the Continent.

Any members interested in helping out events should contact Jim Hutchison on +44(0)1634 851 902. Anyone wanting a 'dip' should note that proof of diving qualifications and a medical are required as well as a suitable period of apprenticeship within the Working Equipment Group.

Origins

Chatham stands on the River Medway which empties into the Thames Estuary at Sheerness and Whitstable (another famous diving town) a few miles to the north. Its naval history began in Tudor times, and by the 18th century Chatham had become an important shipbuilding centre and naval base; HMS Victory was built here. Many early buildings, dating back to 1702, still stand and form the nucleus of the Historic Dockyard where The Historical Diving Society goes 'on display'.

School of Military Engineering

Another vital event in Chatham's history was the establishment of the Royal School of Military Engineering. In 1812 The Duke of Wellington ordered Captain Charles William Pasley to set up a school in Brompton Barracks which became, and remains, the headquarters of Royal Engineers training. Pasley later undertook a number of highly significant experiments into underwater work, culminating in the adoption of Standard Dress by both the Army and Royal Navy. As reported in the last issue of the HDS Bulletin, The Historical Diving Society and Royal Engineers recently unveiled a plaque at Chatham commemorating Pasley's important work.

Peace and Revolution

Following the defeat of France at Waterloo both Chatham dockyard and the Royal Engineers entered a period which, though relatively peaceful, was revolutionary in terms of invention and innovation. The Royal Navy effected the change from sail to steam, whilst the Engineers consolidated the infrastructure of Britain's growing empire. Nowhere did these coincide more obviously than at Chatham, where a vast expansion of the Victorian dockyard was overseen by a succession of Royal Engineers - including Charles Pasley, son of Charles William Pasley.

Endings and New Beginnings

With the dawn of the 20th century a new enemy, Germany, loomed and Chatham was again massively expanded - including the provision of a diving school. After WW1 Chatham specialised in building and refitting submarines though, of course, other work was carried out at the base; during WW2 no fewer than 1,360 warships were refitted. Chatham's long history as a naval base came to an end in 1985. The base was 'cut' completely as part of the post Cold War peace dividend and the yard closed. Much was sold off for commercial development, and the area around the Georgian dockyard designated for preservation.

Nevertheless the tradition of maritime Chatham remains strong and, of course, the Royal Engineers are still very much present at Brompton Barracks half a mile away. The Historical Diving Society has connections with both and undertakes diving Army and Navy style every year.

Diving with the Royal Engineers

The Historical Diving Society celebrates its close links with the Corps of Royal Engineers each September at the annual Royal School of Military Engineering Open Day in September. The Engineers are more than pleased to have The Historical Diving Society alongside their modern divers and equipment, commemorating as it does the RE's long diving history.

Not that diving is the only thing on display - the Engineers take this opportunity to celebrate a long and glorious past alongside an impressive and highly technological present. In a full days programme it is possible to see items ranging from free fall parachuting, through bridge building to beating the retreat! There is also an impressive 'have a go' element, with RE Sapper instructors on hand to offer very fast courses indeed in just about every trade skill under the sun. The most recent open day included an impressive display of 'combat demolition' by Sappers from 24 Trg,Sp.Sqn wielding pneumatic drills and hammers. Sighted opposite The Historical Diving Society stand, the demolition experts cheerfully instructed a constant stream of small children and historical divers in the gentle art of reducing large pieces of reinforced concrete to dust! Other antidotes to political correctness for the younger element included an air rifle range, an assault course and the marvellously named 'stress release station' where small children could throw large bricks.

Diving the Chatham Navy Way

Chatham Navy Days have, over the past several years, become a major maritime event on the heritage calendar. Following the Royal Navy's departure from Chatham the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has worked hard to present itself as the 'World Navy Base', a top class visitor attraction.

Chief motivator behind the Historical Diving Society's close liaison with the World Navy Base is veteran member - and diver - Jim Hutchison. Jim began diving in the Royal Navy during WW2 and continued to serve - including active service in Korea - into the 1950s. After leaving the Navy, Jim founded Medway Divers, a civil engineering company which has remained busy in the Medway/Thames area (and indeed further afield) ever since. Thus Jim's close association with Chatham has several roots. As an ex-matelot and as a civil engineer diver, Jim has seen plenty of action in and around the port. Each year Jim ensures The Historical Diving Society has a major presence at Chatham Nay Days.

The event usually take place over the late May Bank Holiday ('Whitsun' in old money), and centres on the Historic Dockyard itself, with a considerable modern Naval presence moored alongside adjacent wharves and in the river itself.

HDS diving generally takes place right in the heart of the yard, within sight of the historic buildings and the several historic ships preserved there. Once again the HDS display is carried out alongside our old friends the Royal Engineers who supply both a diving tank and modern military divers. However such is the nature of Chatham Navy days that 'anything might happen', as was the case a couple of years ago when international relations were cemented with the crew of a visiting French minesweeper, the divers of which were 'dipped'. There followed a decidedly cordial (or should that be cordiale?) invitation to for drinks aboard the French vessel.