https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/824b415c-e350-4707-8c03-16bb8d22093c Originally created by the Franklin Institute, SUBOPS THE U.S. NAVY'S FIRST SUBMERSIBLE SWIMMERS details the history of the Underwater Demolition Teams known as the Frogmen. It also examines work of John Fenjohn, who invented a series of cameras for use in the underwater world. The film features rare footage of the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), now known as the SEALs, conducting operations from the submarine USS Quillback (SS-424). It also shows various developments in diving, including the use of the miniature depth gauge, SCUBA apparatus, and submarine airlock. Hosted by Commander Francis Douglas Fane, a former UDT. Fane was in charge of UDT UNIT 13 and he and his team were one of the first into Japan at the end of WWII. Later he was dispatched to Europe to investigate combat diving operations. He did a complete survey and this was the beginning of Research, Development, Test and Evaluation within the UDTs. Upon return from Europe, Fane found out the Navy had planned on dissolving the UDTs and played a major role in saving the program. He was also instrumental in locating Dr. Christian Lambertsen who developed the Lambertsen Amphibious Respiratory Unit. This closed circuit rebreather did not release any bubbles when exhaled. 00:00 Francis Douglas Fane, former commander of underwater demolition teams, introduces a series of scientific underwater experiments filmed for historical record.2:33: Fane explains his personal reason for becoming a deep-sea diver: to remove fishermen's lines and nets that would get caught in the propellers of his yacht. He purchased a copper helmet that allowed him to do this without a diving suit.4:05: E.R. Fenimore Johnson discusses developing an underwater camera in 1929 and conducting work near the Dry Tortugas. He wrote a paper, "Undersea Cinematography," which established his reputation. He was granted the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves after World War II.5:15: Johnson expresses interest in underwater demolition teams and meets Lieutenant Commander Francis Douglas Fane, who instructs him on the LaRue, an underwater oxygen rebreathing apparatus. He notes its limitation of a 30-foot maximum depth due to the risk of convulsions and death.7:40: Johnson discusses the need for a way to document the work of underwater demolition teams for officers who could not go underwater. He recounts receiving word about a man who could take photographs underwater.8:13: Johnson describes meeting Fane. He was in excellent physical condition due to his routine of walking, running, and swimming. This allowed him to perform the duties required of an underwater demolition team officer.9:14: Johnson explains that a film was taken by Commander Fane and himself. He discusses the drawbacks of a large camera and the development of smaller, more maneuverable cameras.10:22-11:18: Johnson details the development of compact still cameras, underwater rangefinders, and underwater lamps for supplementary light, and underwater exposure meters.11:18: Johnson wanted to be an Underwater Spectrograph officer, but was too old, and became a scientific advisor and director of underwater motion pictures.12:03: Development of an underwater spectrograph to study light underwater. Penetration of different types of light at different depths and water conditions, which helped improve underwater photography.13:03: Features of the finest underwater camera, which could change lenses underwater, and the development of prototype and simplified underwater still cameras, and underwater rangefinders.14:17: Use of supplementary light and the development of three types of underwater exposure meters.16:30: First entrance through a submerged submarine's torpedo tube, a dangerous experiment. Fane describes the constricted space, pitch blackness, and the feeling of being in an electric chair. .21:44: Training men for hazardous duty, emphasizing the importance of the safety of their "swim buddy". UDT swimmers tethered together during night swims in hazardous areas.22:17: Johnson recounts telling the Bureau of Personnel to send him their "castoffs" and "misfits," believing he could redeem them. He mentions facing death, courts-martial, and accidents. Fleet Admiral Richard Kelly Turner praises the UDT volunteers in the book "The Naked Warriors". Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. We collect, scan and preserve 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have films you'd like to have scanned or donate to Periscope Film, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the link below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqnRcBIJmWw Mirrored from Periscope Film (https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm) Fri, 12 Jun 2026 03:40:09 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/41a6fee9-7f57-42d0-a5fc-5db4f1af2e31.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/824b415c-e350-4707-8c03-16bb8d22093c All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.