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Diver's helmet and shoulder gear used by Henry Finch, 1890 - 1920
This copper and brass diver’s helmet relied on its weight (about 40 lbs) to keep the diver’s body submerged. The helmet was made by A.M. Morse & Sons of Boston, and used by Henry Finch, who dove in Elliot Bay and was known nationally in his time as the “King of Divers” because of his diving expertise and knowledge about the Pacific Ocean. Around the turn of the century, Finch patented an improvement on the submarine phone to create a a diver’s “telephone” which allowed the diver to communicate with the surface. Finch's son Thomas was also a diver and used this helmet.
ID Number: 1959.1816.7
Date: 1890-1920
Physical Description: 1 Helmet, Diver's; copper, brass; 18 in.H x 17 in.W x 17 in.D
Credit: MOHAI, 1959.1816.7. Gift of Captain Henry Finch