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January 1967

Keld Head

Two dives were made at Keld Head in January 1967, one done jointly by Dr. Oliver Lloyd and John Southworth and the second by John Southworth and Dave Stewart.

The first dive by Lloyd and John Southworth was to attempt to get both divers to the air bell.

Due to the lack of equipment the divers had to dive separately. As a result little worthwhile work was done, except that Dr. Lloyd made a sketch of the underwater passage as far as the air bell.

The second dive at this site was also unsuccessful due to both divers’ lights failing on them.

 Dave Stewart was unable to clear his ears, John Southworth did not have enough weight and the dive was called off.

Divers: Doctor Oliver Lloyd, John Southworth, Dave Stewart.

Saturday 4^th February 1967

Kingsdale Master Cave

The purpose of this dive was to dive the second sump of the Yordas Cave inlet passage. The first sump was passed successfully by three divers who proceeded along the 700ft of passage to the second sump. John Ogden was the first to dive to a depth of 20ft in perfect visibility. The passage in front appeared to drop another 30ft and possible more so John returned to base.

Bill Frakes then dived to assess the possibility of diving the sump, but he soon returned to base.

The divers formed the opinion that if a future attempt is made on this sump deep water diving equipment would be required.

Divers: John Ogden, Bill Frakes, Mike Boon.

Sunday 5^th February 1967

Gavel Pot

John Southworth dived into the sump just below the entrance pitch; he found it to be silted up after a 30ft dive at a depth of 20ft.  Dave Pickup then dived but he was also stopped by silt.

The divers formed the opinion that if the silt was not removed by nature there is no chance of extending this sump.

Divers: John Southworth, Dave Pickup.

Sunday 12^th February 1967

Malham Cove Rising

John Southworth dived to the boulder at the 70ft mark and left a line reel before returning to base.

Southworth and Ogden dived together on the main dive in an attempt to connect with an air space. At 200ft from base a small boulder choke was encountered which the divers cleared and then passed. At 250ft they came upon another boulder choke which Ogden was only partially able to clear.  A low passage 1ft high and 4ft wide was visible on the far side of the boulder choke.

Both divers decided that it was too dangerous to attempt to dig the obstruction so they returned to base.

Frakes and Stewart dived to the boulder at the 70ft point and retrieved the line reel. On the way out Stewart took a look at some small side passages but nothing of importance was found.

Divers: John Southworth, John Ogden, Bill Frakes, Dave Stewart.

March 1967

West Side Pot.  Abbotside Common

A dive was made in this newly found pothole to see if the sump could be passed. Dave Stewart dived  15ft into the sump reaching a small slit approximately 1ft wide by 2ft high with a deep build up of mud inside. He formed the opinion that no advancement could be made in the sump. Andy Chater then dived into the sump but could only confirm Dave’s findings.

Divers: Dave Stewart, Andy Chater.