Tag: 1956

Between 1947-1956, Lionel Crabb (as an expert ‘Civilian’ Diver) was often contracted by the British government to take part in various clandestine (and hazardous) duties involving ‘spying’ and the ‘recovery’ of sensitive materials and/or individuals, etc. Much of this clandestine activity involved him gathering sensitive data relating to Soviet submarine and shipping design – as the Americans were worried about why it was that the Soviet Red Navy was producing vastly superior ships at a fraction of the cost. This explains why the British MI6 recruited Crabb (in 1956) to explore the bottom of the Soviet Cruiser named ‘Ordzhonikidze’ (Орджоникидзе). At this time, the Head of the USSR – Nikita Khrushchev (and – N. A. Bulganin) was on board the Cruiser – which was making a ‘Good Will’ diplomatic visit to Portsmouth (situated on the South Coast of the UK) – during which time the British government had given its word that there would be ‘no spying’. According to ‘Spycatcher’ author Peter Wright – Crabb was sent to investigate the propeller-system of the Soviet Cruiser despite this ‘Agreement’ – the new design of which the British Naval Intelligence wanted to know. On April 19th, 1956, Crabb dived into Portsmouth Harbour – and was never seen alive again. Crabb’s roommate at the hotel quickly ‘removed’ all his belongings and tore-out the ‘Guest Registration’ page bearing the names of ‘Crabb’ and himself as he left! Ten days later, on 29th April 1956, the British Admiralty announced that Crabb had ‘disappeared’ whilst on ‘Assignment’ at Portsmouth.