BOAT WITH CRANE MOVING THE OBSERVATION CHAMBER OUT ON THE LAKE; CHRISTENING IT; LOWERING IT INTO WATER; UNDERWATER SHOTS OF DIVERS AND CHAMBER.




Initials MM/V/MGT/GLH



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Background: AT A LAKE NEAR AMSTERDAM YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) MEMBERS OF AN UNDERWATER EXPLORATION GROUP LAUNCHED THEIR OBSERVATION CHAMBER, "COCKLE BOCKLE". THEY WILL USE IT TO INVESTIGATE LIFE BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE LAKE AND AS A "REST HOME" FOR THEIR WEEKLY DIVING EXERCISES.

"COCKLE BOCKLE" TOOK TWO YEARS TO BUILD AND WAS MADE IN THEIR SPARE TIME BY THE 150 MEMBERS OF THE AMSTERDAM UNDERWATER HUNTING GROUP. IT IS FILLED WITH COMPRESSED AIR AND DIVERS CAN ENTER IT UNDERWATER.

YESTERDAY A BOAT FITTED WITH A SPECIAL DERRICK CARRIED THE OBSERVATION CHAMBER OUT ACROSS THE LAKE TO ITS POSITION WHICH WAS CAREFULLY SELECTED BY THE DIVERS. THEN, AFTER A BOTTLE OF BEER HAD BEEN POURED OVER IT TO BRING GOOD LUCK. THE OBSERVATION CHAMBER WAS LOWERED TO THE BOTTOM - A DEPTH OF 50 FEET.