Underwater Demolition Unit Demonstrates New High Speed Twin Sled Pickup Method, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Description

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OFFICE OF NEWS SERVICES THE PENTAGON, WASHINGTON 25, D.C. - LIBERTY 5-6700 AUDIO-VISUAL DIVISION RADIO-TV-NEWSFILM BRANCH ROOM 2E791 - EXTENSION 75111 (A) DUPE NEGATIVE TO: Release No. 71-61 FINE GRAIN TO; Footage: 250' 13 April 1961 MOM NBC-IV UNDERWATER DEMOLITION UNIT DEMONSTRATES NEW HIGH-SPEED TWIN SLED PICKUP METHOD (Official Navy footage released by Department of Defense) First official films show the Atlantic Fleet's Underwater Demolition Unit at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, demonstrating the new Mark 5 Scuba gear and new high-speed twin "sled" pickup method. The new system being used for high-speed placement and recovery of UDT swimmers utilizes two fibreglass "sleds" which resemble ordinary rowboats with the transoms removed. The absence of a transom permits easy access and exit by swimers and also permits water to flood the sled so that it sits low in the water. Each sled can accomodate up to ten swimmers. The sleds are connected at the bows by a long tow cable having a buoy at its center. With the swimmers on board, the sleds are released simultaneously from a canvas sheet trailing from a speeding boat. When the swimmers have completed their assignments, they assemble in the sleds for pickup. The tow cable connecting the sleds is stretched taut with the buoy marking its center. The pickup boat extends a "sword" forward from its bow and speeds toward the buoy. On contact with the sword, the cable rides up to the bow of the boat and into a winch where it is immediately engaged and wound in. The aleds trail behind the boat as they are gradually bauled in and pulled on board over the canvas. The Underwater Demolition Unit which is based at Little Creek, Virginia, is in the Virgin Islands briefly to train new men in diving physiology and the use of underwater breathing apparatus of verious types including underwater swims by compas as long as 2 1/2 miles. This particular class recently completed its gruelling 16 weeks of basic training and "final exam which included an eighteen mile run, a. seven mile swim and practice raids involving actual demolition. Sequences show: (a) UDTs being briefed on the beach, St. Thomas, V.I. (b) Two fiberglass "sleds" being towed. (c) The pickup boat extends a "sword", the cable rides up to the bow of the boat and into a winch where it is immediately engaged and wound in. (d) The sleds trail behind the boat as they are gradually hauled in and pulled on NOTE TO EDITORS: PLEASE CREDIT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IN TITLE OR COMMENTARY The finergrain master positive released to theycompany designated above, is for duplication and distribution to interested TV and Newsreel pool members. It is then to be returned within 72 hours to the Film Library, Army Pictorial Center, 35-11 35th Avenue, Long Island City 1, New York. The master posity manner. by means of a rubber ring. SNATCHED A dupe negative is also for release to the company designated above for distribution to pool members so desiring for duplication purposes. Within 24 hours it will be delivered to DeLuxe Laboratories, 850 Tenth Avenue, New York, N. Y., telephone Circle 7-3220 where it will be avail- able to non-pool members and other authorized organizations which make satisfactory financial arrangements with DeLuxe Laboratories. The dupe negative must not be cut in any manner. Pifa DR/M 6/23/61 E10575 typed DK 6/15/61

Collection

Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer

Series

Filmed News Releases