UKRAINIAN DIVER OWNS FIRM IN BOSTON (09/24/60)

He Salvages Ships from the Tea-Flavored Harbor

UKRAINIAN DIVER OWNS FIRM IN BOSTON

By Anna Chopek

They say you can find Ukrainian everywhere, if you try, even under the sea! If someday you should visit Boston Harbor you might find a deep sea diver emerging from the ocean, whose name is Nicholas B. Zinkowski. His mother, Mrs. Julia Zinkowski, who has taken out insurance with the Ukrainian National Association for eleven of her grandchildren, is quite a proud mother. She tells us that her son was diving at the tender age of 19. He served as a Navy submariner, and although he is only 31 years of age, he has salvaged a long list of ships. He runs one of the most specialized sea salvage firms in the United States, which is known as "Submarine Specialists, Inc." and he does most of the diving himself.

Mr. Zinkowski has salvaged such ships as the passenger steamer, "City of Bangor" from the Boston Harbor, the pleasure schooner, "Lord Jim" off Watch Hill, R.I., the tanker "Rockport" off Chelsea, the freighter "City of Salisbury" of Grave's Light, Bar Harbor, Maine, and others. Some time ago, he spent six months searching for the USS "Oregon," which was sunk in collision with the battleship "New Mexico," sometime in December 1942, of Nantucket Shoals. This would be quite a prize, for the "Oregon went down with $5,000,000.00 worth of wool cargo in her hold.

Zinkowski's firm employs a crew of ten. Its equipment represents an investment of some $125,000.00 which is quite a sum for this young corporation. The suit which Nick Zinkowski wears to work costs him $1,200.00 and is good for about six months. His shoes weigh 18 pounds each. Needless to say he needs help to get dressed and bolted in.

The work is not an easy one and Nick has had many close calls. Once while working in North Hero, Vermont, his air hose froze. He has had the bends several times and has had to battle dangerous barracuda. However, this does not faze him, and he is now making plans to tackle the raising of a U-853 German sub resting in 135 feet of water eight miles from Newport, Rhode Island. If you were looking for him, you might find him in his office on ancient T Wharf or checking his equipment in Harbor.

An unusual occupation, but you can't keep a good Ukrainian down - especially under the sea, indefinitely!

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