Welcome to the Historical Diving Society – South East Asia, Pacific

Our aim is to promote and preserve the rich diving heritage of our region. We have active members throughout Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and around the world. 

We work closely with Historical Diving Societies in the United Kingdom, Europe and USA. We encourage people with an interest in historical diving to join us. 

We are interested in: 
· Early scuba diving
· Helmet (hard hat) diving
· Wartime frogmen
· Collecting diving equipment, books and memorabilia
· Early rebreathers
· Unusual diving gear
· Meeting others with an interest in diving history.

The Society also organises and encourages regional meetings. Regional groups are currently active in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia while meetings are organised between members in other areas. Information about these regional gatherings is made available to all members by post or email, on a regular basis. 

Please note: We may be into the old antiques of diving but we are not Ludites and do embrace new technologies - so, this website is now being updated to consider display on the new wide flat screen.

HISTORICAL DIVING SOCIETY
SOUTH EAST ASIA - PACIFIC
P.O.Box 347, Dingley Village, Victoria, 3172, Australia.
 

HDS SEAP COMMITTEE 2011/12: 
President: Christopher Deane chrisd@project.com.au
Secretary: Des Williams deswill@dingley.net
Treasurer: Lester Smith
Magazine Editor: Jeff Maynard maynard@vicnet.net.au
Records Officer: Tony Gregory 
Committee Members: 
Stanley Haviland, Allan Kessler, Stephen Taylor, Peter McMahon

Don't you just love it!!! This superb photograph was taken during the three day diving session held by society members at the Melbourne Aquarium. It shows Frank Zeigler in standard dress communicating with grandson Tate, being held by Kathy Zeigler. (See below)
 
 

With all the misery in the world, the misunderstanding, intollerance, fanaticism, greed and abuse, it is wonderfull to appreciate that this is not the way of the universe, and not the way God, your God,meant it to be.
The smile of a child tells us that.


 
 
Our magazine Classic Diver is published four times a year. We also organise and encourage educational displays, research, historical walks, film nights, bibliophile meetings and the preservation of historical diving equipment and ephemera.
 

THE PORTLAND STANDARD DRESS WEEKEND
Have a look at a few shots. Click on Des and his 
Desco.
 


Reading CLASSIC DIVER - anywhere, anytime!!
(l to r) Tony Gregory, Jeff Maynard, Des Williams.

Secretary Des Diving His Desco, 
at Portland.

Co-ordinator of the 2010 Portland NAUI 
Recreational Standard Dress Course Steve Taylor.

Membership in the Society is AUD$45 per year. Members receive four issues of the Society’s magazine ‘Classic Diver’ as well as the invitation to participate in events and network with others interested in historic diving, both in our region and internationally. 

You can join the Society for an annual subscription of AUD$45, by making contact with HDS SEAP Hon. Secretary, Des Williams, via HDS SEAP c/o P. O Box 347 Dingley Village, Victoria, 3172 AUSTRALIA, or by email: deswill@dingley.net 
A membership application form can also be downloaded via the following link……….Download MEMBERSHIP FORM pdf.
 

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'HARD HAT' VIDEO AVAILABLE ON LINE.
Max Gleeson, author of several excellent books on NSW shipwrecks, and the Yongala, and cinematographer, has kindly made available online a video of the Helmet Diving Course in Portland last June. 
See   http://vimeo.com/34983859     

DIVER ADVERTS.
As mentioned in previous issues of our magazine, we are running free classified ads for members in "Classic Diver" magazine. If you would like to advertise your interests, equipment you are looking for, books you have for sale or exchange, gear you have for sale - anything related to diving history please email a short description directly to our Editor, Jeff Maynard at maynard@vicnet.net.au   ASAP! Make sure you include your name and email (along with address or phone number if you want). 

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A selection of reading in the history of diving in our region.
 

FEATURES - INTERNAL LINKS:
A Key to the Kingdom - Keith Gordon
One Hundred Fathoms Down - George Wookey with David Strike
My Siebe Gorman by John Osmond.
A NZ Diving Legend by Keith Gordon.
Helmet Diving at Thursday Island by Peter Illidge.
The Lawson Lung by Mel Brown.
DOWNLOAD PDFs:

Diving the Dawson Flomatic, by Clarrie Lawler
A History of Diving in Russia, by Jeff Maynard
Robison Bros & Co. Pty. Ltd. Melbourne, by Des Williams

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A new page where we can keep track of frauds and fakes, bargains and anything to do with the pleasure of collecting and restoring historic diving equipment.

And for dive book collectors, check out Classic Dive Books

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Link to page. ..........................................................................................................................................

The HDS SEAP enjoys a close relationship with various Historical Diving Societies and like-minded organisations around the world. 
This list is printed for the benefit of members who may want to share information, network or learn more. 

INTERNAL LINKS

ARTICLES
FOR COLLECTORS - FAKES
PAST EVENTS
PORTLAND 2010
 

HISTORICAL DIVING SOCIETIES
CANADA
HDS Canada
241A East 1st Street Rear
North Vancouver, BC V7L 1B4
Canada

MEXICO
HDS Mexico
Bosques de Ciruelos
#190 û 601B
Bosques de las Lomas, CP 11700
Mexico DF

UNITED KINGDOM
The Historical Diving Society
Little Gatton Lodge, 25 Gatton Road, Reigate
Surrey RH2 0HB,  United Kingdom
Tel: 0173 249961
Fax: 020 7373 7340
Email: enquiries@thehds.com
Website: http://www.thehds.com

UNITED STATES
Historical Diving Society U.S.A.
PO Box 2873, Santa Maria, CA 93457,USA
Tel: 805 934 1660
Fax: 805 938 0550
Email:hds@hds.org
Website: http://www.hds.org

DENMARK
Dykkehistorisk Forening
HDS Denmark, Kirseboervey 5
8471 Sabro, Denmark

GERMANY
Historical Diving Society Germany 
Ringstrasse 43 
D-64756 Mossautal - Hiltersklingen
Germany
Telefon: 06062 - 913 691
Email: info@historical-diving.de
Website: www.historical-diving.de

ITALY
The Historical Diving Society Italia 
Viale 4 Novembre 86/a, 
48023 Marina di Ravenna (RA) - Italia
tel: +39 335 5432810á fax +39 0544 531013
Email: hdsitalia@racine.ra.it
Website: www.hdsitalia.com

NORWAY
Norsk Dykkehistorisk
HDS Norway, C/- NUIAS,
Gravdalsveien 245
Ph23 Ytre Laksevaag
NO 5848, Bergen, Norway

POLAND
HDS POLAND
00-075 Warszawa, Senatorska 11 p.25, 
Poland
Phone/fax: + 48 22 826 35 74
Mobile phone: + 48á606 313 583á
Email: wachowski@kdp.pttk.pl
Website: http://www.hds-poland.org

SWEDEN
Svensk Dykkehistorisk Forening
HDS Sweden
C/- Lars Gustafsson, Ejdervagen 31
141 72 Segeltorp , Sweden

FRANCE
Subaquatique en France
HDS France
39 rue gaston Briand
16130 Segonzac, France

RUSSIA
HDS Russia
Alexander Sledkov
190068, Box 601, St.Petersburg, 
Russia
Website: www.hdsr.ru

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INTERESTING NON - COMMERCIAL LINKS
AUSTRALIA

CLASSIC DIVE BOOKS
A fascinating website listing many historic 'underwater' books. (Created and maintained in Australia).

HERITAGE VICTORIA
Home of Victoria's support for our maritime heritage and maritime archaeology.
 

INTERESTING NON - COMMERCIAL LINKS
WORLD

DIVING HERITAGE

BRASS HAT DIVER SITE

US NAVY SHOTS

LEON LYONS HELMETS OF THE DEEP
 

INTERESTING COMMERCIAL LINKS

DESCO helmets

MORSE DIVING Inc.
 

SUPPORTERS
Proud supporters of the Historical Diving Society South East Asia - Pacific. 
 
DIVE LOG NEW ZEALAND
Website: www.divenewzealand.com
...... SPORTDIVER MAGAZINE, DIVE LOG (Australia)
http://www.motpub.com.au
http://www.divetheblue.com,au
OCEANS ENTERPRISES
for new and second-hand 'underwater' books.
email: peter@oceans.com.au
Website: oceans.com.au
SOUTH PACIFIC UNDERWATER MEDICINE SOCIETY
Website: www.spums.org.au

 
Disclaimer

The HDS SEAP is a membership-based, not for profit, Incorporated organisation, formed in 1997. Administration of the Society is carried out by a small Committee elected by the members on an annual basis. There are no paid positions at any level within the Society. Due to the tyranny of distance over the huge area in which the HDS SEAP operates, Committee meetings are held by email. Committee Minutes and financials are reported in our magazine. The HDS SEAP is not involved in any in-water activities. Diving is potentially hazardous and may cause serious injury or death. The Board of the HDS SEAP suggests that to dive without proper training or procedures, using equipment that you have not been trained or have experience with, or equipment that has not been well maintained, all increase this risk. The HDS SEAP is not a substitute for any of the above in any way. Commonsense and diving within your own experience and ability, is each members choice. 
Content is maintained by the committee. Last updated 1 March 2012