By James Heinz

In May 2025 the long awaited memoir of Milwaukee diving legend Max Gene Nohl was published by the Wisconsin Historical Society.  The original 800 page memoir was provided to WHS by the Milwaukee Public Library, to whom Max’s estate had donated it.

Editor Elizabeth Wycoff reduced the memoir to a 392 page story that leaves you wanting to read the 408 pages she excised.  The book is entitled I LIVE UNDERWATER and the forward was written by Wisconsin state underwater archeologist Tamara Thomsen, a legendary underwater explorer in her own right.

In his lifetime, Max developed underwater diving technology, helped develop decompression tables for divers, did underwater filming for the movies, salvaged ships and their cargoes, built underwater habitats, and founded the still extant DESCO Corporation, makers of diving equipment. I chronicled Max’s preparatory dive prior to his world record dive in Lake Michigan: https://wmhs.org/max-nohl-makes-a-test-dive/  

PRINS WILLEM V wheel and model

Prins Line Model

WMHS executive director Suzette Lopez constructed a series of display cases highlighting the career and achievements of Max Nohl. During the months of May and June, the cases were on display at the entrance to the Humanities Room on the second floor of the Milwaukee Central Public Library. Also, on display currently in the Humanities Room are models of, and the wheel from, the freighter PRINS WILLEM V, which sank off Milwaukee in 1954. Attempting to salvage the PRINS was Max’s last project before his death in 1960.

Photos by James Heinz

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James Heinz is the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society’s acquisitions director. He became interested in maritime history as a kid watching Jacques Cousteau’s adventures on TV. He was a Great Lakes wreck diver until three episodes of the bends forced him to retire from diving. He was a University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee police officer for thirty years. He regularly flies either a Cessna 152 or 172.