Australian Dress Register

Tim Wray, mentioned that "panic is very bad for divers". He described how, on one occasion when he descended to the river bed with a fast tide running, he was dragged around head of the support boat and feared that his air hose, which was not reinforced, might kink. He felt panicky so he he lay on the river bottom until he calmed down. To get back to the ladder he had to haul himself around using the oyster basket as a support as he could not signal with his lifeline.

This equipment was used primarily to collect mud oysters and was also used in laying submarine cables. It was superseded by the development of the much safer and mobile scuba gear from the late 1950s onwards. Gradual improvements in methods of oyster farming during the mid-1900s replaced the need for diving to collect oysters.

Information was supplied by the previous owner (Bill Wray) in an interview with Vera Hatton at Woden Valley Hospital, Australian Capital Territory in 1992. Mr Wray suffered from decompression sickness for many years and this eventually caused his death.

Subsequent information has been added by his wife.

The divers dress and equipment are on permanent display at the Lady Denman Maritime Museum. The underclothing is available for viewing by appointment and will be displayed from time to time.

Suit:

heavy - medium double texture oak bark tanned twill with smooth red square-shaped vulcanised Indian rubber at collar and around wrists

Underclothing:

guernsey, heavy hand knitted natural wool;

pants, heavy machine knitted natural wool;

stockings machine knitted natural wool.

Helmet:

Cast gunmetal, 12 bolt with square-shaped corselet

Boots:

Two piece sole (lead and wood). Thick leather uppers and brass toe caps.

The dress is machine sewn with glued canvas strengthening patches at crutch, front of legs below knee to feet and on feet.

Underwear is hand knitted.

Siebe Gorman label has separated from the dress