Berry L. Cannon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Berry L. Cannon
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Berry L. Cannon
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| Born | 22 March 1935 |
| Died | 17 February 1969 (aged 33) off San Clemente Island, California, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Berry Louis Cannon |
| Alma mater | University of Florida, B.S. 1962 |
| Occupation | Electronics engineer, aquanaut |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Lou Cannon |
Berry Louis Cannon (March 22, 1935 – February 17, 1969) was an American aquanaut. He was a brave underwater explorer who worked on the SEALAB II and III projects for the U.S. Navy. Sadly, Cannon passed away during an attempt to fix SEALAB III. It was later discovered that his special breathing equipment was missing a key part that cleans the air.
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Early Life and Education
Berry Cannon was born on March 22, 1935. He grew up in Williston, Florida, raised by his grandmother. In high school, he was the captain of his football team. After graduating, Cannon joined the United States Navy and served for four years. He even boxed while serving at the Hawthorne Naval Ammunition Depot. In 1962, Cannon earned a degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Florida.
Exploring the Ocean with SEALAB II
Before joining SEALAB, Cannon worked as an electronics engineer for the U.S. Navy. He designed communication systems for underwater use.
From August 28 to September 12, 1965, Cannon was part of the first crew of SEALAB II. This underwater habitat was located near La Jolla, California. For his important work on this project, he received the Navy's Superior Civilian Service Award.
The Challenge of SEALAB III
In 1969, Cannon joined Team One for the SEALAB III project. This mission took place off San Clemente Island. He and three other aquanauts were tasked with opening and securing the habitat.
On February 16, 1969, the SEALAB III habitat started leaking. Cannon and his team were sent down twice to try and fix the problem. They used a special capsule called the Personnel Transfer Capsule (PTC).
Shortly after 5:00 AM on February 17, Cannon began to have trouble while working outside the habitat. His teammate, Robert Barth, tried to help him. Barth tried to get Cannon to breathe from an emergency air supply. Finally, Barth pulled Cannon back to the PTC. Inside, his teammates tried to help him, but it was clear Cannon had passed away.
What Happened After
News reports at the time often said Cannon died from a heart attack. However, an official investigation later found the real cause. Cannon had passed away because his diving equipment was not working correctly. A special filter, called a baralyme canister, was supposed to clean the air he breathed. But this canister was empty.
It was never found out who was responsible for the empty canister. Some experts also suggested that the extreme cold underwater might have made it harder for Cannon to notice his equipment problem.
Berry Cannon's funeral was held on February 19. He was buried in Wacahoota Baptist Cemetery in Florida.
Personal Life
Berry Cannon was married to Mary Lou Cannon. They had three sons. He was known for being a person who rarely complained. He also enjoyed reading books by the author Zane Grey.
Memorial
In 1970, the Berry L. Cannon Memorial Aquarium was dedicated in his honor. It is now part of the Citrus County School District's Marine Science Station in Crystal River, FL.
