DVD: President Coolidge

Ranked as one of the world's most unique salvage jobs.

1942 and the Pacific War was raging. The 22,000 ton American troopship, President Coolidge, loaded with thousands of home-bound, weary soldiers slammed into two mines in the harbour of Esperitu Santo in Vanuatu - mines that were laid to protect American shipping from Japanese submarine attach. Most escaped, but five were carried to their deaths, along with tons of ship's bunker oil that was to continuously belch its mess on local beaches for the next 34 years. Salvage master Ian Lockley designed a unique four-man submersible  diving chamber. Working at depths to over 200 feet (61 metres) on air, Lockley and his divers risked bends, raptures of the deep and possible shark attacks to remove 600 tons of oil and complete what ranks as one of the world's most unique salvage jobs. Produced, directed and filmed by Lynton Diggle of Film New Zealand. Running time approx. 30 minutes.