Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-09-28
F,,nm the Buffalo Commercial.

8 THE STEAMER ATLAN1IC-Stngufar Sen
,,t;ons ofthe Diper-Alr. Maefert and his COM
panions returned from Long Point last evening, al
ter second and successful at'etnp' 10 reach ,Ge
wreck of the Atlantic, although from unavoidable
circumstances nothing has yet been accomplished
toward raising the Express Company safe, or com
menciug operations upon the wreck We have
been furnished by Mr.. John Green, the diver, with
a ycryinteresting account ofhis descent NOtwith-
standing the somewhat unfayorable condition of
the weather and the roughness Of the water, it was
determined TO reach the wreck on Saturday morn
ing, in order to lest the capacity of the new hose
Mr., Greene therefore arrayed Himself in the ma
rine armor, and started on the second "Trip TO the
bottom of Lake Erie. He descended without amy
difficulty and landed directly in the interior OF The
Steamers smoke pipe, the top and sides oil when
he felt with his feet and hands. He was then ele
waited some little distance and allghted the Secohu
time on the braces, following down unul ne got
on the cross braces. He did not, however, sue
coed i'll making firm footing on the deck owing
to the unsteadiness of the small steamer used OH
the occasion, which communicated too much mo-
ton to the hose and ropes.
There was much risk of the intrepid diver getting
entaneled in the ropes and woodwork, so as to be
unable to extrcate himself, or to tear the dress
and being again elevated, he descended thlrd 'ihe
alongside and clear of the wreck. lie now wehl
down fourteen feet below the upper deck ana even
with the guards, his head being 139 feet and his
feet LA feet below the surface OF Lake EIle:-
This is the deepest dive ever made, 10 ieet pelS
the greatest depth ever before reached me new
hose was found to be perfectly succcssiul the di'
yer felt quite at ease, and went down anu up
without the slightest injury to dress, pipes, or
man.
The marine arnor consists OF perfectly ar -ught
India rubber dress, topped by copper helmet with
a clear, thick plate of glass in front. The pipes
which supDly and exhaust the air, lead from the
top of this helmet. The pumping requires much
labor and sometimes six men are employed upon
it at the same time, and are compelled TO WORK
hard at that A great pressure of air is cNperien-
ced by the diver upon his lungs, equal TO 10 lbs to
the inch, and very few individuals could bear II of
any length Of time. .,...,-
'Whtn first going into the dress, the sensation OF
oppression is very overcoming, but passes away III
great measure after entering the wafer w hch
depth of ten feet is reached in the descent me
dress becomes entirely cmptied ofar ana collapsed
to the body, causing pressure all over the diver
equal to the left of ten pound wight excepting
as to the head, which is protected by tiie proper
helmet. The difficulty in breathing now becomes
great, and painful sensation IS experienced by
the diver. the laws becoming distended, and the
head seemingly splitting. This continues until al
ter descending another or twelve feet, then The
pain is relieved, and the diver feels comfortable
and experiences no further inconvenience.
When about sixty feet below the surface, hun
dreds of the legitimate inhabitants OF the water
surround the diver nibbling at their strange vsiter
as though he was food for the fishes After reach
rs feet, all is perfectly dark-a black, mpenetra-
BILE darkncSs-and an electric flame plays around
the inside of the helmet, caused by the friction ot
the pump. At about 100 feet, the water is very
cold, being in the present season, within four or
FIVE degrees of freezing.
Mr.. Malefert has returned in order to obtain Il
larger steamer, and 10 wait for settled and calm
weather before making another attempt. He has
not the slightest doubt that the next effort Will be
crowned with success. Mr.. Greene, the diver. has
proved himself capable Of doing the work cicctu-
ally, and must rank of the first and most
useful under water men in the country. Two
most excellent divers besides liT. Green are IN
company with Mr. Mailleert. We shall look with
much interest for the result of the next trial. but
that ii will be successful we have no doubt.