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Sea hunt: Richard Martin and his underwater world

March 20, 2015

What do space suits and spearfishing have in common? The easy answer is Lewes resident Richard Martin.

The longer but far more interesting answer is contained in a new book published recently, and written over the past year, by Martin.

“Free Dive Spear Fishing at the National Harbor of Refuge Lewes Delaware” offers a fun read, especially for anyone interested in that mysterious, underwater world saved only for the few who want a closer look at the water they’re boating on or swimming in.

Most of us are familiar with the mile-long stone wall and white lighthouse that define the National Harbor of Refuge - known more locally as the outer wall - off the point of Cape Henlopen. But it’s safe to say that no one knows the underwater sea life along that jetty any better than Martin. For 58 years, Martin has passionately pursued the art of spear fishing along the coasts of the U.S. But by far the greatest number of the thousands of hours he has spent underwater, waiting patiently for gamefish to come within range of his spear gun, has been along the breakwater in his own back yard.

Martin gave up scuba tanks decades ago, preferring instead to free dive with a wet suit, snorkeling gear, a spear gun, and a diver’s knife and watch as his only equipment. Most hook-and-line fishermen would love to have caught the countless stripers, black drum, triggerfish, sea trout, flounder and tautog that Martin has speared through the years. The rest of us would be overjoyed with the fresh fish that he regularly tables from his solitary pursuit beneath the waves.

Martin’s book offers an unpretentious, raw and easy read sprinkled with lots of photographs chronicling the many good and productive times he and his friends have had at the wall. However, his discussions about shark encounters, and a newspaper photo showing him with two drowned divers he had to retrieve from a deep spring in Florida, make plenty clear the dangers that can befall those who underestimate the power and vagaries of the sea and its underwater world.

Martin writes in an easy, engaging style. Here’s an example, leading up to his taking of a world-record fish at the wall. “I begin walking along the top of the breakwater toward my boat; now warmed from being out of the water for about thirty minutes, I decide to climb down the rocks and continue my hunt for fish. I dive about twelve feet and wedge myself among the submerged rocks, making myself as inconspicuous as possible. Visibility is about five feet and I am alert for any movement.

“All of a sudden! I see a huge form begin to emerge from the dark water in front of me and a little to my right. I must move my spear gun in that direction, but ever so carefully, so I do not spook whatever it is. I confirm in my mind that it is not a shark or large ray.

“The fish is now within four or five feet of me. Sunlight streaming down through the water onto the fish creates a golden hue across its back; I identify it as a huge Black Drum. Keep in mind this decision making is taking place while holding my breath at a depth of about 12 feet.”

Martin bagged the fish with a shot to the head. It was too large to haul up on the rocks and carry, so Martin had to swim the fish 300 yards to his anchored, 14-foot boat and wrestle it aboard to bring it to the scales in Lewes. The fish weighed 112.6 pounds, a spear-fishing record. That was in November 2013. Martin had turned 76 in July.

Martin’s book is unapologetically local, filled with family and friends, and gives further glimpses into an interesting life. The author discusses an independent childhood, steeped in nature and the outdoors, in the deep Delmarva waterman’s town of Saxis, Va., on a skinny piece of high ground between the marshes and Pocomoke Sound. He also explains his role in the development of space suits for the Apollo moon journey during his employment with ILC. The reader can’t help but wonder about similarities between walks in space and floating underwater for extended periods.

Martin also provides some interesting history related to construction and design of the National Harbor of Refuge breakwater and lighthouse.

“Free Dive Spear Fishing” is available from the author for $14.95.

Contact him at 302-645-9200 or email tautog1@comcast.net. He will ship as needed.

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