The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-24
A Dive into Lake Erie.
From IL. Buffalo Commercial, advertiser, Sept. 20.

From u.e BuDaIo Commercial advertiser, Sept 20.
Nj. Maillefert and his companions returned from
Long Point last evening, after a second and a
successful attempt to reach the wreck of the At
lantic, although from unavoidable circumstanc aces
nothing has yet been accomplished towards rails
ing the Express Company's safe, or commencing
operations upon the wreck
We have been furnished by Mr.. John Green,
the diver, with a very interesting account of his
descent. Notwithstanding the somewhat uniavor.
able condition of the weather and the roughness
OF the water, II was determined to make at.
tempt to reach the wreck on Saturday morning,
in order to test the capacity of the new hose.
Mr.. Green therefore arrayed himself in the
rine armor, and started ON his second trip to the
bottom of Lake Erie He descended without any
difncuity, and landed directly in the interior OF
the cleaners smoke pipe, the top and sides of
which he felt with his feet and hands. He wac
then elevated again some little distance, and
ahghted the second time on the braces, following
down until he got on TO the cross braces He did
not, however, succeed in making a firm footing
on the deck. owing to the unsteadiness of the
small steamer used upon the occasion, which com
municated too much melton TO the hose and ropes
There was much risk Of the intrepid diver get
ting entangicd In the ropes and woodwork SO as
to DO unable to extricate himself, TO tear the
dress, and being again elevated, he descended a
third time alongside and clear of the wreck He,
now went down fourteen feet below the upper
deck and even with the guards, his head being
one hundred and thirty nine feet and his feet one
hundred and forty four feet below the surface OF
UG,
one hundred aud twenty elk feet being the reat-
est depth ever before reached The new bose was
found to be perfectly successfu the diver felt quite
at ease, and went down and up without any the
slightest Injury to dress, pipes, or man.
The marine srmor consists OF perfectly air ght
India-rubber dress, topped by copper helmet with
clear thick plate of glass in front. The pipes
which supply and exhaust the air lead from the
top OF this helmet. The pumping requires much
labor; four, and somctmes six men being employ
ed upon it at the same time, and compelled to work
hard at that great pressure of air ia experienced
by the diver upon his lungs, equal to rs bs to the
inch, and very few individuals could bear it for
length of time. When first going into the Dress
the sensation OF oppression is very Overcom ng but
passes away in u great measure after entering the
water. When depth Of ten feet 10 reached in the
descent, the dress becomes entirely emptied of air
and collapsed to the body, causing a pressure all
over the diver equal to the heft of eight
excepting as to the head. which is protected by the
copper helmet. The difficulty in breathing now be.
comes great, and painful sensation is perenced
by the diver. the jaws becoming distended, and tho
head seemingly splitting. This continues until
alter descending another ten or twelve feet, when
the pain is relieved, the diver feels comfortable and
experiences no further Inconvenience. When
about sixty feet below the surface, hundreds of the
legitimate inhabitants Of the water surround the
diver, nbbling at their strange visitor as though
he "food for the fshes." After reaching
seventy-fve feet, all is perfectly dark-a black i'm
penetrablc darkness-and an electric flame plays
around the inside OF the helmet caused by the fric-
ZION Oh ING pump Az dpOut one nun0reo ana sixty
feet, the water is very cold being in the present
season within four or five degrees OF freezing.
NJ. Maillefert has returned to obtain larger
steamer, and to wait for settled and calm weather
before making another attempt. He has not the
slightes doubt that the next effort will be crowned
with success Mr.. Green, the diver, has proved
himself capable of doing the work effectualiy, and
must rank as one of the first and most useful Gun
der water" men in the country. Two excellent
divers besides MIR. Green in company with Nj
Maillefert We shall look with much interest for
the result Of the next trial; but that it will be
cessful we have no doubt.