Jim

Hmmm, nice to see that you are able to take the time away from the keyboard
to dive:-). 

Jesting aside,  I was interested to hear that you had a diaphragm failure as
this happened to me the other day.  I had a 1/4" or so rip in mine.  Anyone
else experienced this?  I did not have the tools to fully look inside the
first stage at the time but the manufacturer suggested that there were salt
deposits inside the first stage causing the first stage to fail, rupturing
the diaphragm.  Whilst this may be the case, there were a whole host of
implausible circumstances that were suggested for the salt deposits getting
inside.  This is the first time I have had a diaphragm failure - all other
times it has been the high pressure seat in the first stage.

Anyone like to comment.

David Shimell
Project Manager, Sequent Computer Systems Ltd., Weybridge, Surrey, UK.
Email: shimell@se*.co* <mailto:shimell@se*.co*> 

-----Original Message-----
From:	Jim Cobb [SMTP:cobber@ci*.co*]
Sent:	Tuesday, August 11, 1998 2:27 PM
To:	Tech Diver
Subject:	Mexicana Dive Report

Had a nice dive on the Mexicana yesterday. After a 4.5 hour boat trip 
through calm seas we hooked up at about noon. Surface temp was 75F with 
vis at about 100'. Going down the line there was a murky layer at the 
(60') butt-cold thermocline (47F), and about 50-60 on the bottom (140). A 
pretty good .5-1Kt current was running on the first dive but calmed down 
for the subsequent dives.

This ship was originally thought to be the Baruque with subsequent 
discoveries point to the Mexicana. This is a WWII era wreck and the ship 
sits upright with most of the deck plating rusted away but much of the 
framework intact. This is one beautiful wreck, very ghostly as it was 
dark under the layer of plankton, and with classic lines. Without a doubt 
one of the prettiest wrecks on the east coast.

The goal was to bring up an object thought to be the bell to prove 
exactly what ship this was. The "bell" was trapped under several loading 
booms and the concerted effort of six divers with hammers, crowbars and 
lift bags could not break it loose. Finally the ultimate lift bag was 
attached to object...The Miss Lindsey. This succeeded in bringing up the 
object but it turned out to be an ornate binnacle with a bell-shaped 
bottom. Still a nice find!

Also brought up was the rest of the engine room telegraph (the majority 
was found on a previous dive) one of the compass balls and a couple of 
other items which still need identifying.

Some small articles were found including a brass hand rail, coat hooks, a 
rack holder, a Mexican silver coin and the key to the ships clock. The 
fishermen in the crew brought up several lobsters and tautaug.

I was giving a Nitek3 a workout. I had a 50/50 stage and 02 bottle and it 
was fun to watch your deco time disappear as you selected the appropriate 
mix. The versatility of computer diving showed when my 50/50 reg blew out 
it's diaphram (U.S. Divers) and I had to go to back mix for my pre-10 
foot stops. No problem, I just switched the Nitek3 to back gas and hung 
longer.

 Jim

 -------------------------------------------------------------------
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