OTE: The pictures and copy are for a Morse we recently sold and we now have a A Schrader's & Son, circa 1942. We can send images and additional information upon request.
This manually operated, Mark III dual cylinder dive air pump was made by Morse Diving of Boston for the United States Navy. Two sets of handles can be attached to the side wheels for operators, usually one on each side, to turn and pump air from the internal cylinders to a hose system connected to the diver.
The amount of air provided was controlled manually- operators would monitor the pump's pressure gauges to determine how quickly to turn the wheel in order to provide the diver with sufficient air for their depth. At the time this pump was made the diver was also able to communicate back to the surface through a wired telephone system in the hard hat dive helmet, and could comment on the air supply.
In very good condition, one of the nicest and most complete dive pumps we've ever had.
Marked Morse and U.S. Navy in multiple locations:
- Exterior front, Eagle plaque: U.S. Navy Standard Diving Air Pump Mark III, Morse Diving Equipment Co. Inc., Boston Mass., No. 30, Date: 4/20/42
- Interior, pistons are both stamped Morse, Boston, Made in U.S.A., 30. Left piston also stamped USN.
- Additional Morse plaques interior on pump support and on the "Water Supply" hatch, on the reverse exterior.
- Right pressure gauge marked Morse. Left pressure gauge marked Ashcroft American, Bridgeport Conn.
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- Includes second set of handles, not shown
- Also included inside the pump- one left air hose oil separator, three wrenches, gaskets, eye hooks and a tin of grease. There's also some packing cordage for sealing.
Dimensions: 51 1/2 inches from base to top of wheel, width without crank arms 41 1/2 inches, long crank arms 31 1/4 inches, shorter crank arms 21 3/4. Wheel diameter 35 1/2 inches.
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