Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-17
RAISING THE ERICSSON.

The Tribune gives us some interesting facts
in relation to the efforts making to raise the ca
loric ship Ericsson, sunk on the Jersey Flats
IL will interest our readers to know that
"a large canvas is drawn around the ship, the
upper edge of which is above the water and
forms sort of bag, encasing the vessel When
the open ports and dead lights shall be all closed
by the divers, nothing will remain to be done
but to get the steam pumps on board and free
the ship. The water in the harbor, in conse-
ouence of the late rains, is very turbid, and the
divers are unable to see clear beneath the sur
face. They are thus left to grope their way
about the ship, and are compelled, mainly, to feel
out the places which are to be stopped. Should
none be overlooked in this rather blind survey
of the premises, it is probable the pumps will
be set to work to-day on the ebb-tide. Two of
them, it is thought, will be enough to free the
ship of water sufficiently to get her ahoat. Sew
eral offers have been made to raise the ship by
contract. The price asked has been in the neigh
borhood of $4,000. This, the owners regard
as quite to exorbitant, and the labor of getting
her afoat, therefore. goes on under the direction
of Capt. Lowber, the commander Of the ship
1t is an easy job compared with what it would be
if the ship was in the same position she was first
represented to be, that is, entirely submerged ex-
The damage to the Ericsson must be very
considerable, owing to the swelling of the wood
work in the finished parts, and the necessity the
accident imposes of thorough overhauling of
the machinery. Still, the disaster will work no
essential injury to the great experiment.
The curious operation of men working in SUBJ
marine armor may be seen at the Ericsson -
Above water, they are, when thus clad, the most
helpless of mortals. They are clothed in a thick
and heavy India rubber dress, with belts about
their legs and body filled with shot to the weight
of about 1913 pounds. The head Is incased in a
huge copper cap, resting on their shoulders,wth
glass before their eyes and mouth. An India
rubber tube of about an inch in diameter is con-
nected to the top of the copper cap. The other
end Of the tube is attached to an air pump
When the mouth-piec of the cap is closed,
which, of course, is done preparatory to the de-
SCENT the air-pump is vigorously worked. The
air thus forced in at the head finds its way out
through the dress where it terminates on the
arms, and sometimes by tube from the breast,
guarded against the introduction of water
When the diver is thus equipped for his SUBJ
marine excursion, he lies helpless on the deck.
rope is attached to his body, which is passed
through block on the yard-arm, and he is hoist
ed like motionless piece of baggage over the
side, and lowered into the water. He soon de.
scends to where he does not materially feel the
weights attached to him and begins to help him
self and control his own movements. His mo-
ton and position under water are clearly dsclo-
sed by the violent agitation directly over his
head, occasioned by the escape Of the air pump
ed through the tube which leads to his minia-
ture prison. A signal line is takenin the hand of
the diver, by which he sgnalizes those above
water. One pull is the signal to be taken up,
two pulls for less air, three pulls for more air
The work which the diver can perform is quite
limited, but is done with considerable CELEBRITY
FROM MExIco-Deteat of DeScrip.
tion of the Banle.-The Diario Official gives
the general account of an action at the Cajanes
between Santa Ana and Alvarez. 1t says that
the troops of Alvarez were driven from their
position by those of Santa Ana with the bayo-
net only, the latter not firing gun. From this
point Alvarez fell back to pass called the Pu-
erto del Coquillo, defended in front by river
of difficult passage, with heights in the rear diff.
fcult by nature and strengthened by five small
field works, these were manned by from 1000 to
1900 men.
Santa Ana marched upon them with near 5000
men. Approaching their position he threw
across the river, above the pass, a select corps
of light troops-some $50 strong-attacked
them in the flank with these while with the
main body he forced the passage of the river
and assaulted the batteries on the heights with
the bayonet again. The contest appears to
have continued near three hours; not all the
time, of course, with the bayonet, we must sup
pose; but nevertheless, the contest seems to
have been obstinate-how bloody, it is difficult
to tell.
Finally, the several works were all carried and
the enemy put to flight in utter confusion, max
ing their way, it is not known whittier into the
wild mountains around, or towards Acapulco
They were pursued on all sides, and it seems to
be confidently expected that Alvarez will fall
into the hands Of the victors. The dispatches
which give these particulars were sent on imme-
datey at the close of the fight, and say for that
reason the number of killed and wounded cam
not be stated. In slight subsequent affair be-
tween two detached parties, the Mexicans re-
ported that they routed about 200 of the fol-
lowers of Alvarez, killing about 20 ofthem. AT
any event it seems clear that the Alvarez revo-
luton is following fast in the footsteps of the
Walker.
A MORMON IN LMBo.-Bl Smith, the Nor
mon prophet, and brother of Joe Smith, the re-
90 Al 4