An Opportunity to Bolster and Reclaim Salvage Deep-Sea Stories

Did you Grasp the title of this blog?  A failed attempt to video cast an interview with Captain Mark Helmkamp, USN (Ret.), turned into a three-hour Deep-Sea Stories session over a cold Texas Bourbon.  Mark introduced to me a new brand of beer he was drinking while reminiscing over the Navy Divers we served with during our time in the Navy.  The Captain went way back into salvage history.  He talked about the evolution of Navy diving and the Ironmen he served with.  We talked about everything diving and salvage, all the salvage ships Marked served on, and Rick Bettua getting revenge on that shark that attacked him.  We spoke of rigging beach gear, towing, Master Diver Johnny Coffelt, and Master Diver Eric Frank.  Some old USS Reclaimer sailors were cheered during our Deep-Sea Stories; HTC Fredrick Hafer, Bowsin Grover Clevland Burke, Alex "Tuna" Tumaniszvili, Dave Guerra, Brian Baxter, and MDV Ed Starkey, MDV Ron Ervin, and MDV Bob Neeley.  Captain Helmkamp has more than enough Deep-Sea Stories to publish a book.  For those Navy Divers who never had to qualify Salvor on a salvage ship, the title of this blog encompassed names of 38 class salvage ships.  A topic that deserves preserving and conserving in Navy History.