Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Baton Rouge, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

I was referred to C.E. "Whitey" Grubbs by Jim Doré of Global Industries. Whitey had recently retired, and Jim said he was a wealth of information and was considered the father of underwater welding. I met Whitey's son at the 2002 Underwater Intervention in New Orleans when he was there to receive an award for his father because his father had been ill. I told him about the study and that I would like to talk to his father but was concerned because of his illness. He told me to call him at home. After a few rounds of phone tag at various motels and places I was staying, I finally reached Whitey at his home near Baton Rouge. He agreed to a meeting. We met at the Holiday Inn in Baton Rouge. Whitey arrived with a heavy briefcase filled with two large photo albums that he had prepared for our meeting. He talked me through the various projects and achievements of his career. Much of the information is quite technical and requires at least a basic understanding of welding and working under pressure. I met Whitey again in September for a follow-up and photo interview.

Whitey began his career in 1939 with Chicago Bridge and Iron, worked his way up through that company, moved to CBI Ltd., retired and formed his own company, D&W Underwater Welding Services, and then went to work for Global Divers and Contractors, Inc. He became manager of technical services where he was responsible for supervising underwater repair. In 1989, he and a group of divers/welders qualified wet welding procedures at 325 feet. At age 81, he retired from Global as the director of underwater welding research. He is considered to be the father of underwater welding.