Diver Heavy Weightbelt - Leather Special SS Lakeland Commemoration Dives

Product Features

This heavy weightbelt was used in the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the world's first helium mixed gas dives off Door County in Lake Michigan in 1925. 

The Morse Heavy Weightbelt is based on the US Navy Standard Belt. It is made of Leather and stitched to replicate the original belts which were made up of plies to achieve the needed thickness. Our leather goods subcontractor orders hides with a proper thickness. 

The belt comes with ten seven pound Lead weights and all necessary hardware. For recreational standard dress diving it has been found that a short load of six weights is the best choice for diver comfort and maneuverability. 

In August 1924 the SS Lakeland sank in Lake Michigan under suspicious circumstances. Divers were hired to conduct a survey using Helium as a breathing gas for the first time in history. This was the dawn of deep diving and Lake Michigan Classic Diving Organization wanted to commemorate the achievement. On August 16, 2025 three dives were made next to the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. The museum is only a few miles west of the wrecksite. Diving was curtailed due to thunderstorms in the area. This weightbelt was part of a vintage diving outfit using AJMS Three Light Commercial Helmet 1769 made in 1911. Air was supplied by AJMS #3 Air Pump #866 built in 1904. This weightbelt has a Brass plate attached to it signifying it was used in the anniversary dives. The belt comes with a certificate of authenticity. This belt is one of one. Retail on a Leather AJMS Heavy Weightbelt is $1375.00. Since this belt has three dives on it he is knocking off 10% taking it to $1237.50.