Buster Crabb

[John Brown]

The disappearance of war hero Buster Crabb in 1956 is one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Cold War era.

Born in 1909 Lionel Crabb joined the Merchant Navy as a young man. Early in WW2 he was a gunner in the Army but left and joined the navy in 1941. 1942 found him in Gibraltar and after becoming a diver he received the George Medal for his work in mine and bomb disposal. He became the Princial Diving Officer in Northern Italy in 1943 being responsible for the removal of mines in the ports of Venice and Livorno. When the war ended 'buster' continued his underwater explosives disposal work in Palestine. He was 'demobbed' in 1947 but continued working for the Royal Navy on projects which included investgating sunken submarines.

In 1955 the Russian cruiser Sverdlov was in British waters to take part in the Spithead Naval Review. Both the British and Americans wanted to know why this ship appeared to be exeptionally manoeuvrable. Crabb and another diver, Sydney Knowles, were asked to make a secret inspection of the ship's hull which they did under the auspices of the CIA. They found the ship to be equiped with what was an early 'bowthruster' which explained its manoeuvrability.

In 1956 Crabb was again asked to investigate a Sverdlov Class cruiser. This time it was the Ordzhondikidze which brought Nikita Khrushchev and Marshal Bulganin on an official visit to Britain. The ship anchored in Portsmouth Harbour and at dawn on the 19th April Crabb started his mission to examine the ship for any special anti-sonar gear or concealed mine laying hatches in her hull. He surfaced at 7.30 am to adjust his breathing apparatus which was giving him trouble. He re entered the water and was never seen alive again although it transpired that he had, at some point, been spotted by a sentry on the warship.

Nine months later a headless, handless body was recovered from the water near Pilsey Island 15 miles from Portsmouth. Sydney Knowles indentified the body as being Crabb even though his ex wife and girlfriend couldn't. The most probable cause of Crabbs disappearance is that it was, for one reason or another, a tragic accident. However, over the years, many theories have been put forward to explain it including:

He was captured and brainwashed to work for the Russians training their frogmen.

He was electrocuted by an anti frogman defence system under the ship.

Crabb defected and lived in Russia using the name Lev Lvovich Korablov.

MI5 knew he was about to defect and created the Ordzhonikidze mission so it could murder Crabb and then cover it up.

Whatever the truth of Crabb's disappearance and/or death, the British Govt is still very sensitive about the whole affair. Cabinet papers relating to the case which should have been opened to the public in 1986 under the 30 years rule have now been sealed until 2057.

[herakles]

How much credence do you think can be put on the defection theory? From his previous life he would appear to be the last to feel the need to defect.

It's a pity that the body's identification still has a question mark hanging over it.

[romft1945]

JB very good reading and very interesting.As regards the theories the most plausable one would be,he got caught was killed all id removed and placed back in the water,how else do you account for missing limbs,shame we will not be around in 2057,
Rom

[John Brown]

For anyone interested, the official report can be read here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/08_06_06_russian_warship.pdf

I don't subscibe to the defection theory myself but reading about his life after leaving the service and the people he mixed with, I can see how it may have started.

john

[romft1945]

Thank you John have just read that,if that was written today it would have been thrown out at the first reading,they would have been told to go back to fantasy island and start again,
ROM

[herakles]

Thanks from me also John. It made fascinating reading.

[Blaydon]

is it my imagination or are the large redacted portions all covering information regarding Civil servants and elected officials, those of military personnel seem not to need the cover of secrecy.

I think a non redacted copy would be very interesting.

[Francis Stanley]

I think a more likely explaination was that he was
A)getting on a bit
B) Not far off of being an Alcoholic
c) Diving using an O2 rebreather unaided in fast flowing and murky water
d) Portsmouth harbour was and still is a very busy patch of water

He probably never even made it to the Russian hull, got into trouble,most likely CO2 poisoning, especially as he had not been an active "worked up" diver for a number of years and was more confident of his abilities than his physical shape actually was at the time of the incident. The O2 re-breather used for these types of operations of that time was a "demand set"
which meant as the counterlung O2 supply diminished the operator had to Squirt more O2 in. Normally divers would operate in pairs so that they could look out for each other. If he became unconscious due to CO2 poisoning he would have been unable to add any more O2 and died through becoming Hypoxic.
His body would eventualy be taken out of the harbour by the strong currents that abound near the harbour entrance.

[Kevin Denlay]

He probably never even made it to the Russian hull, got into trouble,most likely CO2 poisoning, especially as he had not been an active "worked up" diver for a number of years and was more confident of his abilities than his physical shape actually was at the time of the incident. The O2 re-breather used for these types of operations of that time was a "demand set" which meant as the counterlung O2 supply diminished the operator had to Squirt more O2 in. Normally divers would operate in pairs so that they could look out for each other. If he became unconscious due to CO2 poisoning he would have been unable to add any more O2 and died through becoming Hypoxic.

Very good Francis, seems you are familiar with rebreathers and those sets like he was using? What you say is distinctly possible. (Was his unit what I have heard referred to as the ‘clammy death’ unit?)

Now I don’t know how deep the harbour in question is but he may have also taken what is known as ‘an oxygen hit’, convulsed and drowned. Many people are not aware that oxygen becomes toxic below a certain depth (or more accurately above a certain pressure), and high Co2 levels in the breathing loop is a known (contributing) factor in decreasing ones (so-called) tolerance to oxygen. So…………………..coupled with exertion and an out of condition diver as it were…………….an you have a recipe for disaster.

And it doesn't have to be deep deep. Although military divers will operationally use oxygen deeper, in the civilian world we limit it's use to 6m, and there have been incidences of people taking an 'oxygen hit' at that depth, so...............

Unfortunately I have had the misfortune to 'watch' a diver die (drown) from the results of an 'oxygen hit' (and lost a couple of very good / close friends to the same beast) and it's not pretty.

PS. I myself regularly (recreationally) dive a modified/updated Biomarine Mk15.5 closed circuit rebreather (and have for the last ten years), which is an ex military mixed gas unit, basically the same as the Carelton Mk16 that US, NATO and Australian navy mine clearance divers still use today - except our civilian 15.5's have better electronics. :D

[Francis Stanley]

Kevin
O2 poisoning can not be ruled out but the overall depth of the harbour in the area he was interested is not much deeper than 9m I think CO2 in that particular set is a more likely candidate. The clammy death was used by charioteers and others during the mid 40's it was an o2 rebreather but was part of the underwater swim suit, I think the set he used was the UBA which was a rubber counterlung worn over the top of a suit, it was developed after the Italians wartime version, (Buster was involved in looking at some of the italian kit the post war)
I am familiar with the Carlton set which is indeed part of the RN equipment list for the moment, they are looking at a different set at the moment as we speak.

[Francis Stanley]

Attached pictures:
The "clammy death"
and the UBA that superceded it

[Francis Stanley]

Attached is a better explaination of the demand set

[Kevin Denlay]

Thanks for posting those pics Francis, although I couldn’t get the one of the UBA in first post to open.

And 'clammy death' certainly looks CLAMMY! No wonder they named that bit of kit that!

As for the image in your second pic. That’s not a predecessor of a LAR (5, etc) under there is it?

Re MK16 replacement. Not sure if UK are looking at it but US are now using (I believe) or a well into testing an over the shoulder counterlung CCR for EOD work as replacement/adjunct for the 16 (which as you know has a back mounted counterlung.)

Personally I am no big fan of the over the shoulder counterlung style units, of which most in the recreational world are; but if someone else was buying one for me, then of course I would dive it, (and especially if I had no choice, that is, if I was in a position to be 'ordered to').

As for Crabb, I guess we may never know for sure, or at least not until something that may be in the reocrds is released, what happened to him.

[Francis Stanley]

Kevin

You are correct the LAR 5 did eventualy take over from this particular set up although that has also now been superseded, the beauty of the old UBA is the same kit could be used as an O2 set with a mass flow regulator giving a constant supply of oxygen for shallow water use when not in "Sneaky beaky" mode as well as with larger back mounted O2 / Nitrogen Mixtures bottles for EOD diving down to 50 metres, the set itself was only replaced in the early 90's so it shows how effective it was. Unfortunately it could no longer tick all the right health and safety boxes so was replaced by more modern kit (which although meets all the HS requirements seems to have accounted for more deaths than the old set ever did) I myself used it for most of my navy diving career.
The new set replacing the Carlton is indeed an over the shoulder counterlung, the breathing resistance is a lot less when compared to a back mounted CL.

[Kevin Denlay]

The new set replacing the Carlton is indeed an over the shoulder counterlung, the breathing resistance is a lot less when compared to a back mounted CL.


Agree re breathing resistance. I crossed trained on both 'kinds' when first getting CCR certified, and later as an instructor could teach both kinds, but for my own unit liked the 15.5's back mounted lung as it 'decluttered' ones chest. Being an underwater photographer I just found it more 'user friendly' in that aspect. Be that as it may, many many photogs now use the over the shoulder CL so no doubt one would get used to having those 'udders' there in front.

[John Brown]

Kevin and Francis

Interesting though your posts are, they seem to have wandered off the original topic of this thread. Could I suggest that you continue your theme in a new thread in 'Shore Leave'?


Many thanks.


Regards...John

[Guz rating]

I remember Buster Crabb's death being reported when it happened in 1956, the theory at that time was he had been stunned or killed by explosives thrown into the water. If my memory serves me I think they said hand granades.

Alan

[John Brown]

I remember Buster Crabb's death being reported when it happened in 1956, the theory at that time was he had been stunned or killed by explosives thrown into the water. If my memory serves me I think they said hand granades.

Alan

Interesting Alan

When this theory was put forward how were the Russians supposed to have justified throwing explosives into the waters of a major naval base belonging to another power?

Regards...John

[dayerb]

I was fortunate to be part of this exchange visit on the Chieftain, as I remember we had several non service personell on board and we were not allowed to enter Leningrad during daylight because you had to go through their Naval base to get there and the Russians did not want any photos taken?
I think however some of our guests had special cameras and got round this? the russians were not quite so shy and were photographing our ships at will,this was a great trip and the Russian people could not do enough for us although you never seemed to know who you were talking to? and we were well briefed on the do`s and dont`s before going ashore, I am sure the Russian versions of Buster Crabbe were also active during our visit but I think Buster may have been past his best which may have contributed to his disapearance but we will never know,

[Guz rating]

I have just read an article about a Russian who claims to have killed Crabb. He was a diver on board the Ordzhonikidze, They saw Crabb and sent divers down to investigate what he was doing. the Russians said Crabb was placing a limpet mine on the starboard side of the ship were the magazine was. The diver Edmard Koltsov claimed in 2008 on a TV interview that he cut Crabb's throat.

The operation according to Eden the PM was carried out by MI6 without any knowledge of the cabinet. The head of MI6 Sir John Sinclair resigned, The UK cabinet documents relating to the affair will be released under the hundred year rule in 2057. The MI6 operation was so bungled, it is now used a training film of what not to do.

[CliffS]

About the only facts that everyone seems agreed on, are the overweight and overage condition of Buster Crabb. I remember the story when it was news (I was a very politically-aware 9yr old), and the accompanying photo of Crabb did not accord with my perception of an heroic underwater commando. Of course, my preferred reading at the time was the Lion, Wizard and Hotspur, so my received image of the British warrior was somewhat romanticised.

Cheers,
Cliff

[Kevin123]

Here's a photo of commander Crabbs grave in Milton cemetery Portsmouth, my grandparents are buried in the same cemetery. Kevin.

[Kevin123]

I should've said that the photo of Buster Crabbs grave isn't mine, but one I got from the net. When I go to the cemetery again I'll take one and post it. Kevin.

[Guz rating]

Here's a photo of commander Crabbs grave in Milton cemetery Portsmouth, my grandparents are buried in the same cemetery. Kevin.

Thank you for posting that Kevin we sometimes forget there is a human end to this tragic story, that Commander Crabb had a family who loved him and had to pick up the pieces.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone on the thread a very Merry Christmas.

Alan

[Kevin123]

I wasn't born untill 1965, and was wondering if commander Crabb was as famous before he dissapeared as he was afterwards. I know there was a film made about his exploits during WW2, but would he have been recognized in Pompey by the general public prior to his last dive. Kevin.

[Kevin123]

I've managed to find a picture of commander Crabbs medals on a web site. I thought I'd post them here. Kevin.

[Kevin123]

I've read on a website that a skull was found in Chichister harbour 10 years after commander Crabbs headless and handless body was found. It was found to be the same age as Crabb, I was wondering if anyone knew any more about it. Kevin.

[Geoff W]

In Chapter 19 of his book ‘The Final Dive’, Don Hale writes:

Vernon's former executive officer, Cdr Charles Emmerson… said they [the cruiser Ordzhonikidze accompanied by her sister ships, the destroyers Sovershenny and Smotryashchi] had been delayed due to fog and that the two Russian leaders had entered the harbour by launch. When visibility improved the Ordzhonikidze and her escort ships berthed at the Southern Railway Jetty in Portsmouth Dockyard.

I’ve Google’d for other accounts of Bulganin’s and Khrushchev’s arrival in Portsmouth but have found no mention of them entering the harbour by launch. The Pathé newsreel shows the Ordzhonikidze arriving at the jetty with the leaders on deck, so I just wondered if anyone can provide a fuller account of their arrival.

Inconsequential I know, but I’m just trying to understand Cdr Emmerson’s account.
Many thanks,
Geoff (W)

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=40419

[Geoff W]

In October 1955 Portsmouth received a goodwill visit from a Russian squadron consisting of four destroyers and two cruisers.
Russian Admiral Golovko came ashore ahead of his squadron and was on the quayside to watch his flagship, the cruiser "Sverdlov", dock.

I wonder therefore if Cdr Emmerson was recalling this event rather than the arrival of Bulganin and Khrushchev aboard the Ordzhonikidze a few months later.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=39740

Geoff (W)

[ludsie]

Interesting theories re: mi6 and their involvement in the affair guess we'll have to wait until 2057 to find out