Charles Momsen

Charles Momsen‏‎ (1896–1967), also known as "Swede" Momsen, was a pioneering United States Navy officer and inventor. He is most famous for his work in submarine rescue and deep-sea diving, particularly the development of the Momsen lung, a device to aid in escape from sunken submarines.

Early life and career

Momsen was born in Flensburg, Minnesota, on June 21, 1896. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1919 and was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy. He served on several surface ships before transferring to the submarine service in the mid-1920s.

Submarine rescue and the Momsen lung

In the 1920s and 1930s, the U.S. Navy experienced several submarine disasters, including the sinking of the USS S-4 in 1927. These incidents highlighted the need for improved submarine rescue techniques and equipment. Momsen, who was serving in the Navy's Bureau of Construction and Repair at the time, was tasked with developing new methods and devices for submarine rescue.

The result of Momsen's work was the Momsen lung, a rebreathing device that allowed submariners to escape from a sunken submarine. The device recycled exhaled air, removing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen, allowing the user to breathe while ascending to the surface. The Momsen lung was adopted by the U.S. Navy in 1929 and was used in several successful submarine rescues.

Later career and legacy

Momsen continued to work on submarine rescue and deep-sea diving throughout his career. He was instrumental in the development of the Momsen-Grayback class submarine, a class of submarine designed for rescue operations. He also helped to develop the decompression sickness treatment tables that are still used by divers today.

Momsen retired from the Navy in 1955 with the rank of vice admiral. He passed away in 1967, but his legacy lives on in the many lives saved by his inventions and the continued use of his decompression tables by divers around the world.

See also

• Submarine escape
• Deep-sea diving
• United States Naval Academy

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