Deep, Dark and Dangerous: On The Bottom With The Northwest Salvage Divers [Paperback]

Rebecca Harrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2006

Salvage divers work underwater in a blinding darkness. In their cumbersome diving gear, these men have barely enough room to move around, while at the same time fighting the cold temperatures and fast currents. It is a dirty, unromantic and highly dangerous way of earning a living. Yet, these divers would not have traded their jobs for any other profession. From locating sunken boxcars to repairing concrete foundations for bridges, no task is too risky. Any underwater salvage or repair work becomes the job of these elite divers. Salvage divers must be carpenters, masons, riggers, hydraulic mechanics, ironworkers, welders, pile bucks and underwater engineers. They must be able to adapt all blueprints, tools and equipment to the harsh realities of the underwater environment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rebecca Harrison was born and raised in Oregon. She spends time traveling around the world writing and working. Her first published book, Child Abuse: A Guide For Professionals, was published in 1983. Her academic credits include an M.S. in Education from Portland State University. Harrison now works and writes, while living with her husband, in Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge LLC (November 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419625837
• ISBN-13: 978-1419625831
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

About the Author:
Rebecca Harrison was born and raised in Oregon. Her academic credits include an M.S. in Education from Portland State University. She was a high school teacher for students with disabilities for sixteen years. Rebecca has always been an avid writer, co-authoring her first book, Child Abuse: A Guide For Professionals, with Jean Edwards in 1983.
Rebecca will be releasing a new kindle on kitchen design this year. She is also working on two main writing projects, one is researching paddle boats and stern - wheelers for a new book; she is also working on a new autobiographical look at her life since surviving a violent childhood.

Publications:

Child Abuse: A Guide For Professionals, Kindle, 2010

Deep, Dark and Dangerous: On the Bottom with the Northwest Salvage Divers
BookSurge, LLC, November 2006

'Local Discords,' KBOO Program Guide (monthly) Feb.1990- Feb. 1999

'Matilla Retired-but Never Far from the Salvage Chief' Marine Digest December 1993

'Successful Students,' Teaching Today Spring, 1992

'Construction Diving,' Diver Magazine September, 1991

'Marine Construction Diving,' Oregon Coast Magazine Jan./Feb. 1990

'In Search Of...' Das Bundschreidben January 1988

'White Knuckle Sunday,' Das Bundschreidben August, 1987

'Unspeakable Problem Of Sexual Abuse,' Learning Magazine September 1986

'How You Can Help The Abused Child,' Learning Magazine August, 1985

Child Abuse: A Guide For Professionals (Textbook) Ednick Communications, August 1983

For more information about Rebecca Harrison,www.deepdarkanddangerous.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Find out what it is really like to work underwater, August 3, 2007

By 

Andrew Burlingham (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Deep, Dark, and Dangerous: On the Bottom With the Northwest Salvage Divers (Paperback)

I am a Pacific Northwest diver with an interest in the history of diving and in particular, the hard hat divers who were pioneers in the fields of underwater construction, demolition and salvage. I was lucky to find Deep Dark and Dangerous by Rebecca Harrison.

It is hard to explain to people what it is like to dive in the swirling current, low visibility and bone chilling cold of the pacific North West. It is hard to explain to people the fears that arise underwater and the bravery of those people who made their livings or lost their lives working as hard hat divers. However, regardless of whether you are a diver or not this well written and well researched book can take you there in words and striking pictures.

Go ahead and meet the McCray's. Walter and his son Art were a diving dynasty, even after the son had to recover his fathers lifeless body from and underwater trench one day and go back to finish the job the next day. Another character you will meet is Fred Devine whose exploits covered diving on a train wreck in a river in central Oregon to building the most powerful salvage barge on the west coast (and that you can still see in Astoria, Oregon).

As a diver the story of the sinking and then the ingenious salvaging of the cargo of the Diamond Knott is special because shortly after reading the story I was able to dive that famous wreck and examine the work that they did for myself.

If you are an actual diver, an armchair diver or just have an interest in how men explored and worked underwater in the early 1900's I strongly recommend Deep Dark and Dangerous: On the bottom with the Northwest Salvage Divers by Rebecca Harrison.

Andy Burlingham
Portland, Oregon

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A copy of the review from author, Craig Lesley, March 5, 2008

By 

Rebecca Harrison, author of "Deep Dark an... (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deep, Dark and Dangerous: On The Bottom With The Northwest Salvage Divers (Paperback)

"A frightening yet fascinating trade, salvage diving stands as the Northwest's most dangerous occupation. Over half of salvage divers perish on treacherous dives in frigid waters. With her compelling and illuminating book, Rebecca Harrison chronicles the adventures of intrepid men and women as they salvage sunken cargo, repair bridges or lay underwater cable. As you read, be prepared for struggling with deadly Devil Fish, retrieving silver booty, and wrestling a sunken locomotive from the turbulent Deschutes. Of course, the big stories are the brave-hearted characters themselves who chose such a dangerous profession. Slender, sixteen-year-old Marie DeRock inherits her father's risky trade because he has no sons. And who would have guessed that adventurous Walt Morey, beloved author of Gentle Ben, dove long before he wrote? Harrison's clear portrayal of many breathtaking dives guarantees that readers will understand the depths of the Northwest's brawny waters." ~Craig Lesley

(Craig Lesley is the author of Burning Fence and The Sky Fisherman)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What you'll never see!, January 12, 2007

By 

Jerry Spriggs (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Deep, Dark, and Dangerous: On the Bottom With the Northwest Salvage Divers (Paperback)

It's easy to be amazed at what we see. It's even more amazing to learn of the challenges and sacrifice of the men who have worked below the waves in the Pacific Northwest. Indeed, if you live in the Northwest and are interested in its history at all, this book is a must read. If you're interested in true stories of pure bravery and grit, read this book! Ms. Harrison has interwoven the lore of the deep diving profession with the intrigue of its suspense and dangers. Have you ever seen a ship? Have you ever crossed a bridge? Learn how they are affected by the work where few ever dare to go.