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Underwater house on the seashore, Malta
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Underwater house on the seashore, Malta
An underwater, inflatable house on the seashore, about to be lowered into the sea by students on a beach in Malta. The house was then anchored to the seabed, some 50 feet deep, in Paradise Bay, off the coast of Malta. It was equipped with lighting, telephone and immersion heaters with which the inhabitants could make hot drinks. It was constructed by teams of engineers and diving enthusiasts from Imperial College of Science and Technology and Enfield College of Technology. It was 9ft long and 6ft wide, constructed from rubberised material on a steel frame, and weighed around 500 lb. The team leader was David Baume who hoped it would be the first of a series of low cost underwater living spaces from which scientists could explore the seas. David and some other team members were able to spend a night 30 feet below the surface. The following day a severe storm caused the house to collapse. Date: 1969
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Media ID 14343986
© Mary Evans Picture Library/DAVID LEWIS HODGSON
1969 Anchored College Deep Enfield Inflatable Malta Paradise Research Rubber Rubberised Seabed Student Students Technology Underwater
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In this image from 1969, a team of dedicated students and engineers prepare to lower an innovative underwater house into the crystal-clear waters of Paradise Bay, off the coast of Malta. The structure, an inflatable abode constructed from rubberized material on a steel frame, was designed to provide a low-cost living space for scientists to explore the depths of the sea. Measuring 9ft long and 6ft wide, the house weighed approximately 500 lb and was equipped with essential amenities such as lighting, a telephone, and immersion heaters, enabling its inhabitants to make hot drinks. The visionary project was the brainchild of David Baume, a team leader from Imperial College of Science and Technology, and his colleagues from Enfield College of Technology. Their groundbreaking endeavor aimed to revolutionize underwater research and habitation, allowing scientists to study marine life and oceanic phenomena in unprecedented detail. As the team carefully lowers the house into the sea, they eagerly anticipate the opportunity to spend a night 30 feet below the surface, immersed in the wonders of the deep. However, their excitement is short-lived as a severe storm strikes the following day, causing the house to collapse. Despite the setback, the team's pioneering spirit remains undeterred, marking the beginning of a new era in underwater exploration and living. This remarkable photograph captures a pivotal moment in the history of underwater research and innovation during the 1960s, showcasing the determination and ingenuity of a group of visionary students and engineers.
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