John Lethbridge

John Lethbridge (1675–1759) was a British inventor and pioneer in underwater diving. His most notable invention was a diving machine that allowed for the recovery of sunken treasure from shipwrecks.

Early Life

John Lethbridge was born in 1675 in Newton Abbot, Devon, England. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he was a wool merchant before turning his attention to inventing.

Invention of the Diving Machine

In 1715, Lethbridge invented a diving machine, which was essentially a large barrel that a diver could sit in. The machine had two holes for the diver's arms, which were sealed with leather cuffs to prevent water from entering. The diver would use these armholes to manipulate tools or retrieve objects from the sea floor. The machine also had a small glass window for the diver to see out of.

The diving machine was lowered into the water by a system of weights and pulleys. Air was supplied to the diver through a tube connected to the surface. This invention was revolutionary for its time, as it allowed divers to stay underwater for longer periods and reach greater depths than was previously possible.

Later Life and Legacy

Lethbridge continued to improve his diving machine throughout his life, making several modifications to enhance its functionality and safety. His invention was used in numerous salvage operations, including the recovery of treasure from the wreck of the HMS Victory.

Lethbridge died in 1759, but his contributions to underwater diving have not been forgotten. His diving machine is considered a precursor to modern diving suits and has been recognized for its innovative design and practical application.

See Also

• History of diving
• Underwater diving
• Diving suit