Introduction

A young mechanic named August Schrader, arrived in New York in 1840 from Hamburg Germany. By the spring of 1844 he had saved enough money to purchase some machinery, and open a shop at 115 John Street in Manhattan. He was a maker of daguerreotype apparatus. Shortly there after he went into partnership with Christian Baecher, at this same address. Christian was a turner, a finisher of brass. In 1846 Schrader took interest in an underwater race between divers off the battery in Lower Manhattan. His concern was with the equipment used. Upon inspecting the divers, he was convinced that he could improve the design, and manufacturing of the helmets.
By 1849 Schrader produced two helmets. They were sold to the Union India Rubber Co.of New York for $12.00 each. In January 1850 Schrader sold Union India Rubber Co. one air pump for $25.00. More orders were to follow.
An improved air pump was produced, and exhibited at the Industrial Fair of 1856, at the Crystal Palace in New York. A diploma was awarded with the inscription, "An air pump attached to a divers dress, well manufactured and powerful".
August Schrader was weIl under way in the dive equipment business.
Craftsweld Equipment Corp. purchased Schrader in 1952. Craftsweld had been in business since 1917. In 1999 Richard and Robert Candell sold Craftsweld / Schrader to Atlantic Diving Equipment Co. They retired at this time. It was their preference to use the Craftsweld name on the commercial helmets they produced. They also retained the Schrader name over the years.

The new management

As the newest owner and caretaker of Schrader, Ray Mathieson feels obligated to restore and preserve the vestiges turned over to him. He has been restoring numerous foundry patterns; mandrels, and other fixtures. This is a very expensive, and time consuming process. It is his goal to produce several styles of the Schrader helmets. Ultimately Schrader Diving Equipment. Co. will be sold to a party who can further revive it, to a higher plane. The preservation not only involves producing helmets, it also entails the preservation of the Schrader history. 
Ray received a wealth of information from the coIlection of over 1,000 actual drawings, and blueprints. Most of the original silk paper drawings are in remarkably good condition, and go back to the 1890's. The drawings are dated, and when carefuIly studied, teIl a story of when transitions took place. There have been huge voids in trying to determine the manufactured dates of helmets ,and other diving equipment. Unlike the British who are sticklers for protocol, much of Americas dive history has been lost.
Ray has to believe that one hundred years ago, little importance was placed on saving early records for prosperity. If only A.J. Morse; A Schrader;  A. Hale and Charles Sanborn had aIl documented their companies products, and progress. But then manufacturing diving equipment was strictly a business venture, with no dividends to be paid for compiling documentation. Diving equipment was only underwater construction equipment, not collectible items, viewed by some as pieces of art.

What can you do for Schrader?

You can help Ray fill in blanks in Schrader history. In fact, any written or pictorial information you may have on Schrader may help to complete the puzzle. Maybe you have an old newspaper add or pictures of old helmets. If you feel you can help out, don't hesitate to contact the A. Schrader Diving Equipment company!

A nice Schrader helmet that needs some kind attention...

What can Schrader do for you?

After years of research, Ray was able to put together the "A. Schrader Diving Equipment Co. historical package". It is of great value to the diving helmet collector and especially to the Schader enthusiast. Limited numbers only! Don't miss it!

This package includes:
  • New and significant information and early history
  • 40 exclusive diving prints on archival paper suitable for framing
  • Early Schrader helmet photos in color
  • Instructions how to place a more accurate date on your Schrader

About the print:

  • Complete set of 10 MkV drawings
  • Helium helmet
  • 1916 Schrader prototype photo and drawing
  • 1898, 1912 and 1917 Schrader knifes
  • Early Schrader airpumps
  • Many Schrader helmets, from 1898 to 1941 including 4 & 5 bolt helmets
  • Many other Schrader drawings
  • All are professionally printed

Price:

  • $69 including shipping and handling within the US
  • Overseas buyers please contact Schrader for shipping costs
  • Send your cheque or MO to: Ray Mathieson, 16509 Sylvan Dr., Bowie, MD 20715, USA
  • You may also order online 

The American Dive Catalog Collection

This beautiful piece or work can help you understand the equipment and techniques used in the old days.

  • From the 1870's. Over 400 pages of very rare American catalogs;
  • Alfred Hale Co.
  • A.Schrader Diving Equip. Co. (3) catalogs
  • A.J.Morse &Son (3) catalogs
  • D.E.S.Co.
  • Miller Dunn Co. (3) catalogs
  • Batteryless Telephone Equip. Co.
  • Craftsweld Co.
  • John Date Co. (2) catalogs
  • M.&E. Marine Supply Co.
  • Buie WW2 helium helmet
  • Ohio Rubber Co. (maker ofthe Victor Berge mask).
  • Thompson Eng. Co. (Maker of the T.E.Co. full face mask.)
  • E.J. Willis Co. (Distributor of the Snead Shallow water helmets, and air pump.)

    Hard cover with leatherette finish and gold lettering ,8.5" X 11" , limited to 1500 copies.

Price:

  • $100 + $ 6 for shipping and handling within the US
  • Overseas buyers please contact Schrader for shipping costs
  • Send your cheque or MO to: Ray Mathieson, 16509 Sylvan Dr., Bowie, MD 20715, USA
  • You may also order online 

U.S. Navy 1916 Manual

This is the jewel of all U.S. Navy manuals!
This book was professionally (re)printed. It contains 172 pages, including 42 illustrations. lt's soft bound, and limited to 2,000 copies. 1916 is the transitional period when the US Navy greatly improved the diving equipment, after several years oftesting. This is when the Mark 5 was first introduced.

Price:

  • $15 + $ 4 for shipping and handling within the US
  • Overseas buyers please contact Schrader for shipping costs
  • Send your cheque or MO to: Ray Mathieson, 16509 Sylvan Dr., Bowie, MD 20715, USA
  • You may also order online 

 

Diving with and without armor

Written by the famous J.B. Green in 1859 and professionally reprinted by Schrader. Describes the diving techniques in those days. A "must read" for all enthusiasts.

Price:

  • $11.50 including shipping and handling within the US
  • Overseas buyers please contact Schrader for shipping costs
  • Send your cheque or MO to: Ray Mathieson, 16509 Sylvan Dr., Bowie, MD 20715, USA
  • You may also order online 

 

A. Schrader Diving Equipment Co.

16509 Sylvan Drive

Bowie, Maryland, USA

Phone/Fax (301) 464-8852

atlanticdiving@aol.com

©2004 A. Schrader Diving Equipment Co. All rights reserved.

 

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