Submarine Products
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Diving equipment manufacturing |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Lieutenant-Commander Hugh Oswell |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Hexham , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, international (including Australia, India, Korea, Jordan) |
Key people | Lieutenant-Commander Hugh Oswell (founder and managing director) |
| Products | Diving regulators (Sealion, Atlantic, Black Prince, Aquarius), wetsuits (Beuchat Tarzan), underwater scooters (Aquamobile), diving accessories |
Submarine Products Ltd (operating from 1959 to 1990) was a manufacturer specializing in diving gear, headquartered in Hexham, Northumberland, England. Established in 1959 by Lieutenant-Commander Hugh Oswell, the company was a trailblazer in producing cost-effective recreational diving equipment within the UK. Before its inception, British divers were burdened by expensive gear due to Siebe Gorman patents, often resorting to homemade devices or military surplus. Oswell’s adaptations of the Cousteau-Gagnan patent significantly lowered entry barriers for scuba sets and introduced novel plastics such as ABS into underwater equipment manufacturing. For many years, the firm supplied Black Prince regulators and open circuit systems to the Royal Navy, but faced challenges when the Navy transitioned to imported closed circuit technology. These financial strains culminated in the company’s closure in 1990.
1950s
During the mid-1950s, Lt Cdr Hugh Oswell, stationed at Portsmouth, collaborated with engineer Harry Biscoe to innovate underwater breathing apparatus. Following his redundancy from the Royal Navy in 1957, Oswell established Submarine Products near Hexham, using his redundancy payout as startup capital; Biscoe remained a consistent team member throughout the company's lifespan.
1955. A Hong Kong trade bulletin mentioned the "Sealion" regulator, attributed to a British designer—likely Oswell—and distributed by Submarine Products Ltd. This product was distinguished by its compressed air mechanism and unique design features aimed at simplifying breathing and reducing moving components, offered at competitive prices for export.
1957. An advertisement appearing in the British Sub-Aqua Club's Triton journal emphasized the Sealion regulator’s straightforward design, safety elements such as dual-direction mouthpiece valves, and integrated reserve function. At least 500 Sealion Mark I units were imported into Australia by distributor Bob Wallace-Mitchell, competing with products like Ted Eldred’s Porpoise regulator. The pricing strategy positioned Sealion kits favorably against established brands including Typhoon and Siebe Gorman.
1958. Underwater Sports Ltd launched the Mark II "Sealion Aqualung," which incorporated enhancements such as a yoke fitting compatible with standard cylinders and an attachment point for pressure gauges.
1959. The company introduced the "Aquamobile," an underwater propulsion device powered by a conventional 12-volt car battery. Additionally, Submarine Products became the exclusive UK distributor for French manufacturer Beuchat’s Tarzan double-layered isoprene wetsuits, standard issue with the French Navy. Later that year, operations moved to Acomb House in Hexham.
1960s
1960. In March, Submarine Products offered a comprehensive range of diving items including Sealion breathing apparatus with Mark III regulators, Tarzan wetsuits, fins, knives, masks, spearguns, and the Aquamobile scooter. By May, they launched the Sealion Atlantic scuba set featuring Venturi action mouthpieces designed to prevent hose flooding and recommended Tarzan Espadon (Beuchat) accessories for their quality and affordability. In November, their catalogue expanded to include Espadon "Aquacetera" compensator masks, stainless steel knives, safety-yellow full-foot fins, flexible snorkels; American Skooba-"totes" dry suits by So-Lo Marx (Loveland, Ohio) complemented French Tarzan wetsuits; their own Atlantic regulator and Aquamobile scooter added speed options.
1961. In March, they introduced an innovative diver’s weight belt with screw-in weights and a quick-release system, which was patented in France by late 1962.
1962. January saw the launch of a plunger-style pressure gauge. By March, their first 16-page catalogue showcased Atlantic and Super Sealion breathing sets; Tarzan masks, fins, snorkels, spearguns, knives; neoprene wetsuits; Skooba-"totes" gum-rubber dry suits; Cristal torches and flood lamps; Triton diving instruments; and Bauer portable compressors. In May, they released the “Green label” Atlantic twin set. July brought an underwater lamp equipped with a 100-watt tungsten-iodine bulb.
1964. Their second 16-page catalogue introduced new products such as a triple cylinder set; dial pressure and depth gauges; Jetfins and Super Tarzan lined wetsuits from France; dark-green Skooba-“totes” dry suits from the USA; an Aquamobile submarine capable of carrying two or three divers; a 300-watt underwater lantern; and announced plans for a comprehensive skin diving guide publication.
1966. An undated 12-page catalogue similar to that of 1964 was issued but excluded “professional range” items like the Aquamobile submarine, Bauer compressor, and underwater lantern.
1967. The company relocated to custom-built facilities in Hexham featuring test tanks and a pressure chamber. It diversified into producing moulded plastic components for boat hulls as well as breathing equipment tailored for divers and firefighters. Exports expanded significantly to navies in Australia, India, Korea, and Jordan.
1969. In April, Submarine Products unveiled its final double-hose regulator model named "Black Prince," incorporating a floating scuba set with an ergonomically designed back harness and aluminium compressed air cylinder. An undated 12-page catalogue added a safety buoy and economy wetsuit to the Tarzan range but discontinued USA-manufactured Skooba-"totes" dry suits.
1970s
1972. In February, Submarine Products adopted the tagline "Even the Navy put their foot in it" to market its imported Beuchat Jetfins, utilized by the American, French, and Royal Navies. By August, the company introduced its inaugural single-hose regulator under the newly trademarked name Aquarius, which initially included both the regulator and a diver’s torch.
1973. July saw the launch of the Aquarius Mark II single-hose regulator, featuring an adjustable neck strap, an exhaust deflector, and options for either steel or aluminium cylinders alongside a convertible backpack harness. The Aquarius product line broadened to incorporate wetsuits and a petrol-powered aqua scooter. In November, an underwater cine camera housing was added to the offerings.
1974. September marked the release of the Aquarius 2000 demand valve, characterized by a safety-oriented design including a downstream piston first stage, a removable front section for easier maintenance, and a flow control knob that could be adjusted.
1976. In November, Submarine Products unveiled the second-generation Aquarius buoyancy compensator (A.B.L.J.), equipped with an efficiently positioned high dump valve designed for rapid ascent management.
1980s
1980. A brochure published by Submarine Products highlighted its commitment to producing professional-quality diving equipment that was both affordable and user-friendly. It emphasized recent contracts to re-equip the Royal Navy and Royal Engineers and noted its international retail presence spanning from the Solomon Islands to Geneva. The product portfolio featured the new Aquarius 3000 single-hose regulator, Black Prince double-hose regulator, full-face masks, as well as Beuchat-supplied masks, snorkels, Jetfins, and knives.
1982. In March, New Scientist showcased the Subskimmer—an innovative fast inflatable craft convertible into a submarine developed by Hugh Oswell for commando missions. Despite significant development expenses and expectations of Royal Navy procurement, expected orders failed to materialize. Additional military underwater gear and rebreathers were also developed but did not secure lasting contracts.
Mid-1980s. The Royal Navy supply contract was lost by Submarine Products to Sabre Air Products during this period.
1988. Managing Director Hugh Henry Bayley Oswell received appointment as Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his services.
1989. In June, Submarine Products entered receivership and ceased operations by 1990.
Patents
From the 1960s through the 1980s, Submarine Products Ltd. secured numerous patents across countries including the US, UK, France, Germany, and Italy that reflect its advances in diving technology:
- FR1314235 (published 26 November 1962): Ceinture de lestage pour plongeur. This French patent introduces the foundational design of the Submarine Products SEALION weight belt allowing divers to modify buoyancy by screwing weights on or off without removing the belt.
- GB1315047 (published 26 April 1973): Transportation means. A British patent safeguarding a toy truck system intended to carry a child along a rack-shaped track; no evidence exists of this product reaching production.
- GB1506865 (published 12 April 1978): Improvements in or relating to valve assemblies. This patent covers valve assemblies primarily designed for high-pressure diving cylinders.
- GB2015348 (filed 23 February 1979): Underwater breathing apparatus. Focuses on closed-circuit underwater breathing systems.
- Corresponding patent applications filed in Germany (DE2907416), France (FR2418148), Italy (IT1114975B), and the US (US4273120) extend protection for this technology.
- GB2075848 (filed 19 May 1981): Demand valve. A British patent covering a demand valve or regulator intended for underwater breathing apparatus.
- US4411285 (published 25 October 1983): Demand valve. This US patent is based on British application GB2075848 for a demand valve.
These patents highlight Submarine Products Ltd.'s strategic emphasis on pioneering diving technologies—especially in buoyancy control and underwater breathing systems—strengthening its position within diving equipment manufacturing.
See also
External links
- Manufacturers of underwater diving equipment
- Defunct UK manufacturing firms
- Companies located in Northumberland
- Manufacturing firms founded in 1959
- Manufacturing firms closed in 1990
- 1959 establishments in England
- 1990 closures in England
- Defunct English companies
- British firms founded in 1959
- Hexham
- British firms dissolved in 1990
- Underwater diving within the United Kingdom
- British companies disestablished in 1990