I first "met" RADM Ellsberg in the 1930s when On The Bottom was probably the first serious book I ever attempted. Some years later I got my own copy which still resides on my library shelf of best books. Over time and with many re-readings I think I absorbed some of the ideas and attitudes of RADM Ellsberg which helped me in a career in aerospace - and still do in retirement. A fine man and a first rate example to young people coming up today. On The Bottom and Salvage Man should be required reading for all engineers and military officers today - and most others. I'm sure he didn't anticipate leaving such a wonderful heritage but I'm thankful he did!
Dear Ellsberg,
Saw your show about your new book. Here are some footnotes you may find interesting. I am an Annapolis graduate and had training in Military and Constitutional law. I spent two tours in Vietnam piloting rescue helicopters and received numerous decorations. Later I also test piloted jet aircraft, but made many more helo rescues in the mountains of California.
But here is the thing you may find interesting - Legally, Navy pilots are different from Air force pilots. In the Navy, piloting was/is voluntary. One could quit at any time without being court-marshalled. We were Naval officers first, with all sorts of ancillary duties, like maintenance office, supply officer, etc. In the Air Force, they were solely pilots, and if they decided to quit, they were court-marshalled, as many were in Viet Nam. I hated Viet Nam, though I was instrumental in saving several lives. I was also the supply offcer, among other non-flying duties. We had eight pilots in my carrier detachment (H-3s). One day my CO ordered me to obtain eight flak jackets. I asked why. He said, "Because we are going into Cambodia." I said that it would only require seven jackets because I would not be going, and told him why. He thought it over for a day and decided that none of us would be going.
Later, after four years as a test pilot, the Navy tried to write me orders to Iran as a pilot instructor. I resigned from active duty, saying I would not go to another bogus conflict area.
My commision in the Naval Reserves lasted another thirteen years, mostly in the Pentagon. I made all ranks up to full Commander without being passed over. Everyone thought I would easily make Captain the next year and possibly Admiral after that. But when the Navy tried to send me to the mid-east again, I immediately retired with twenty qyalified years.
The points here are that the UCMJ regulations allowed a Naval officer to vote with his feet without a court-marshall or dishonorable discharge. Of course there was some knashing of teeth. But the regulations were there. And my delayed stress syndrome from Viet Nam lasted for years. The only real solace I received was being so thankful that I wasn't old enough to be involved in the other quagmire of udeclared "war", or "Police Action" in Korea.
Hope this short story may be useful.
Sincerely,
John C. Macidull
Greeting again to Ted and all others who come here.
This summer (2008) we will be doing sidescan sonar surveys of the area in which the S-51 sank and was subsequently salvaged, and hope to find residual items remaining on the sea floor.
We believe that her mushroom anchor is still there, having been cut free as was documented in "On the Bottom" as well as other material including a large salvage winch that was lost. I plan to personally make the first dive on the site since the Falcon left with the S-51 in tow, and we will document it with photos, etc., as well as lay a wreath for the sailors lost there. We will be departing for this expedition from the Point Judith RI Harbor of Refuge, a place where Falcon laid over many times while waiting out bad weather.
Anyone interested in participating in this may feel free to contact me directly.
Kind regards to all who keep The Admirals memory alive, and especially Ted.
Capt. Dave Sutton, Master, RV EXPLORER, Narragansett RI.
I learned about Edward Ellsberg in the U.S. Navy's Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida, when I was training to become a deep sea salvage engineer. However, I did not read his books until a decade after I retired after getting the bends. What a man! It is one thing to do salvage under hard conditions. It is something else again to invent, innovate and create in the midst of those achievements. Edward Ellsberg is a true American hero.
Dear Nick,
Thanks to the skill and patience of my young lady instructor I am able to send you greetings from your grandfather's admirer.
Best wishes, Joe
As a young child in Indiana, back in the thirties, I first read "On The Bottom." I was facinated with the story and with your grandfather. I remember reading at least one other of hs early books back then but it was "On The Bottom" that stayed with me.
I subsequently left school at age 16 to go to sea in the Merchant Marine and as soon as I was able I enlisted in the U.S. Navy where I served in submarine service as a direct result of having read "On The Bottom."
Fimding this web site stirs many memories. Your grandfather was a great man, one loved and inspired even by one young child in Richmond, Indiana in the depths of the great depression.
Dear Sir,
My Grandfather worked with your grandfather in Massawa Africa. My grandfather's name was Bill Cunningham. I have read "Under the Red Sea Sun" given to me by my family and signed by your Grandfather many years ago. I, too, am a commercial salvage diver in the Gulf of Mexico and up and down the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. I have also worked as an oil field diver in the Gulf. As the grandson of Bill Cunningham...as a US Navy veteran and as a salvage diver, I have great respect for your grandfather and his accomplishments. I appreciate the website that you put together as it is a remarkable historical tribute. I was telling my wife of the hard work and dedication that my grandfather gave to Admiral Ellsberg as a civilian ironworker/salvage personnel, although, on his off time, he had been known to be somewhat of a character...so much so that he made it into his book. He would give you the shirt off his back. He was in Life magazine and Vogue magazine featured as the classic ironworker in his time. He may have had a few mishaps with the MPs when he was out on the town but he I'm sure he was a great asset to Admiral Ellsberg. Again, thank you for your website. It is neat to read about history that our Grandfather's share.
I spent 30 months in Massawa (1967-1969). Reading the letters to his beloved Lucy brought back many memories.
My father-- an Army officer-- gave me a copy of "On The Bottom" when I was in junior high school in 1951. I read and re- read that book many times and later found "Under the Red Sea Sun". Both books were fascinating. Commander Ellsberg will be long remembered as an icon of naval salvage work.
I bought On The Bottom in 1958 while in High School, Later read several of the others, notably Hell On Ice, a great story, VERY well written. RMP
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