Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-11-11
From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Sept.
A Dive into Lake Erie.

Nj. Mallefert aud his companions return
ed from Long Point, last evening, after
second aud successful attempt TO reach the
wreck of the Atlantic, although from una
voldabe circumstances nothing has vet
been accomplished towards raising the Ex-
press Company's safe, or commencing ope-
rations on the wreck.
We have been furnished by Mr.. John
Green, the diver, with very interesting ac-
count Of the descent. Notwithstanding the
somewhat uniavorable condition of the
weather, and the roughness of the water,
II was determined tn make an attempt 10
reach the wreck on Saturday morning, in
order to test the capacity of the new hose.
Mr. Green, therefore, arfayed himself IN the
marine atmor. and started on his second
trip TO the bottom of Lake Erie. He de-
scended without any difficulty, and landed
directly IN the interior of the steamers
smoke pipe, the top aud side of which he
felt with his feet and hands lie was
then elevated again some little distance,
aud alghted second time on the braces.
following down until he got on to the cross
brace. lie did not, however, succeed IN
making firm footing on the deck, owing
To the unsteadiness Of the small steamer
used upon tie occasion, which communi-
Gated too much motion 10 The hose and
ropes. There was much risk of the lntrep-
I'd diver getting entangled in the ropes and
woodwork, SO as TO be unable TO extricate
himself, or to tear the dress, aud being
again elevated, he descended third time
alongside aud clear OF the wreck He now
went down fourteen feet below the upper
deck aud even with the guards, his head
being one hundred and thirty-niue feet and
his feet one hundred and forfy-f four feet
below the surface of Lake Ere. This is
the deepest dive ever made. one hundred
aud twenty-six feet being the greatest depth
ever before reached The new hose was
found to be perfectly successful the diver
felt quite at ease, and went down aud up
without even ihe slightest injury to dress,
pipes, or man.
The marine atmor consists OF perfectly
air-tight India rubber dress topped by
copper helmet with clear thick plate of
glass in front The pipes which supply
aud exhaust the air lead from the top of
this helmet The pumping requires much
labor; four and sometimes six men being
employed upon 1t at tie same, aud COM
PEELED TO work hard al that. great pres
sure OF ar Is experienced by the diver upon
his lungs, equal To - lbs. to the inch, and
very few individuals could bear il for any
length of time. When first going into the
dress the sensation of oppression Is very
overcoming, but passes away IN great
measure after en,ering the water. When
depth of ten feet Is reached IA the de-
scent the dress becomes entirely emptied
Of ar aud collapsed to the body, causing a
pressure all over the diver equal to the heii
OF ten-pound weight, excepting as To the
head which is projected by the copper hel-
met. The difficulty in breathing now be-
comes greater, aud a painful sensation is
experienced by the diver the Jaws become
distended, aud the head seemingly spliulng.
This continues until after descending an
other ten or twelve feet, when the PAIN j.
relieved, the diver feels comfortable, aud
experiences 80 further Inconvenience
When about sixty feet below the surface
hundreds of the legitimate inhabitants Of
the water surround the diver, nibbIng at
their strange visitor as though he were
food for the fishes" After reaching
seyeuty-iye feet all is perfectly dark-a
black impeneirable darkness-an cleo
trio fame plays around the inside of the
helmet, causeu by the friction oi the pump.
At about one hundred aud sixty feet the
water is very cold, being at the present
season within four or five degrees OF ircez-
iug.
NJ Maillefeu has returned TO obtain a
larger steamer, aud To wait for settled and
calm weather before making another at
tempt He has not the slightest doubt that
J The next effort wal lie crowned with sue
cess. Mr. Green, the diver, has proved
himself capable of doing the work eiiectu'
ally aud must rank as one of the FIRST auc
most useful "under water men IN th,
country. Two excellent divers besides
Mr.. Green are IN company with NJ. Malle
feu We shall look with much interest 70
the result Of the next trial but that 1t Wi
be successful we have no doubt.
CupAN ArrMRs. Various and contra
diclory rumors have been in circulation i
reference to the affairs of Cuba, as connec
ted with the Crescent City. Acting Secrt
tary Conrad, IN letter to Geo. Law OF \
York, under the date of October 30tl
states that the matter has been made III
subject of special communication from I'll
State department to the government {
Spain which communication, with the al
swer, when received, will probably be mao
public The Secretary, in his letter, ais
gaye assurance that Ia the meantime nel'I
er the honor nor the interests OF the cou
Try will be neglected
Thus It will be seen, the statement th
the matter is all settled proves untrue, a
= though there is no doubt but that the Go
eminent viii act with moderation as well
" lnslce in the premises. Ii appears that Il
= authorities of Cuba have apologlzed for q
n Crescent City outrage, which Is an lmpoI
ant step towards the settlement Of pendiI
difficulties The story that the AmerIc'
ambassador at Madrid has offered the Spa
ish Government on behalf of the Unit
: States $50 600, 600 for the island must
rs necessity be untrue, for by the Constitute
no money can be drawn from the lreasu
but in consequence of appropriations ma
Il by law; aud by the same instrument II
r thirds of the Senators present must adv
A