 (Special Stamps)
Guernsey
The islanders of Alderney, their lives so dependent on
the power of the sea, have always found a fascination with what lies below the surface.
This second part of Alderney's Past-Times series looks at the development of underwater
exploration through the years, and commemorates the 21st anniversary of Alderney's diving
club.
The Lethbridge barrel developed in
1715 (featured on the Souvenir Sheet) was the first atmospheric form of diving dress,
allowing the diver to remain underwater for up to 20 minutes before returning to the
surface for the foul air to be replaced with fresh.
The Deane Open Helmet (63p) was
developed in the 1820s from breathing apparatus used in fire fighting. Air is pumped down
the tube at the top of the helmet and expelled at the lower rim.
The Siebe Closed Helmet (43p) improved
safety since it was sealed so that if the diver bent or fell over, the helmet would not
fill with water.
Helmets similar to the Heinke Closed Helmet
(37p) were used locally, and could have been worn to salvage the Liverpool, the sailing
ship shown on the stamp which was wrecked at Corblets Bay, Alderney in 1902.
In the 1940s Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan invented
the Demand Valve (30p) which meant that divers could swim freely without
a helmet and diving suit, thus making the hobby of the members of the Alderney Diving Club
possible for amateurs. The mail boat SS Stella which sank off Alderney in 1899
disappearing without trace, was only found by divers after the development of the
aqualung.
The Modern Superlite Helmet (20p) was
developed in the 1960s enabling divers to work in deep cold water on projects such as
building oil rigs. The stricken tanker MV Point Law went aground off Alderney in 1975
necessitating the skills of divers in the salvaging.
As in Part I of the series, a limited edition Printer's Sheet Section of four uncut
Souvenir Sheets is available. Individually numbered and signed by the designer, these are
also supplied with a certificate of authenticity.
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