21 June – On this day in 1896 Charles “Swede” Momsen was born in Flushing, New York. Momsen was a pioneer in submarine rescue and escape. Momsen developed the “Momsen Lung” which submariners could use to exit a submarine via an escape chamber and hatch to make an ascent to the surface. He was also co-inventor of a submarine rescue Diving Bell. When the USS Squalus sunk Momsen directed rescue efforts with the Diving Bell which successfully saved the lives of 33 crewmembers. He later directed the recovery effort which raised the Squalus and after repairs was recommissioned as the Sailfish (SS 192).
Know a SubVet in Eastern Idaho? Share this page with them.