Title: Clarence L. Tibbals Photo Collection
Description: Collection of 6 photographs related to the temporary repair of a broken propeller on USS Connecticut (BB-18) by Navy divers in Guantanamo, 1915. Chief Gunner Clarence Tibbals, USN, was the co-developer of the submarine escape "Lung" and of the submarine rescue chamber. During the early stages of its design and Tibbals furnished much of the information needed in the design of the "Lung" from the knowledge gained during his long years of experience as an expert deep sea diver and, later, during the first tests of the apparatus he performed feats at great personal risk in order to prove the correctness of the theory and construction of the apparatus.
Accession#: S-446-C
Donor: Naval History & Heritage Command
Copyright Owner: Naval History and Heritage Command
Circa: 1915
Format: Black & white photograph
Collection Guide:
The photographs show the USS Connecticut in the Philadelphia Navy Yard dry dock after having had a chain wrapped around her starboard propeller, breaking the shaft and forcing her return to Philadelphia. The photographs note that the damaged propeller blades were repaired by divers (Tibbals is not mentioned, but likely to be among those who were part of the dive).
For information about the rest of the collection: nhhcphotoarchives@navy.mil
