Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-15
M1isrcllonn.
The Ocean Depths.
A DIVER s TALE.

The life OF one who explores the mysteries OF
The charm Of terror hangs around it, and the
interminable succession of exciting events rem
dcrs it dear to its professor. Not to the COM
mon diver of the East, who can remain but for
a fraction of time beneath the wave, and grope
fearfully among rugged ocean mounds, but to
the adept in the civilized mode OF diving, who,
in his protective armor, may remain submerged
for hours, and wander, with impunity, for
miles along those unknown regions far below
the sea. 10 him are laid open the horrors of
the watery creation, and he may gaze upon such
scenes as Arabian story tells us were presented
to the fearful eyes Of Abdallah. 10 him the
most thrilling occurrences of the upper world
seem frivolous; for, in his memory, he retains
thoughts that may well chill the soul with
dread.
am diver-a diver from choce--and am
proud of my profession. Where is such conr
age required MS is needed here! 1t is nothing
to be soldier; diver, however-but | for
bear. I will tell my story, and leave others to
judge concerning it.
An appalling shipwreck occurred, not long
ago, oon the widest part of the coast of New
foundMnl. The tidingsof this calamity reach
ed the ears Of thousands but, amid the crowd
of accidents which followed in quick succession,
it was soon forgotten. Not by us, however =
We found that the vessel had sunk upon spot
where the waters depth was by no means great,
and that daring man might easily reach her.
She was steamer called the Marmion and
had been seen going suddenly down, without all
instant's warning. by some fshman near by -
She had, undoubtedly, struck hidden rock,
and had thus been, in one moment. destroyed.
spoke to my associates of the plan, and they
approved it. No time was lost in making the
necessary preparations, and short time beheld
us embarked in our small schooner for the sunk
en- ship There were six Of US, and we antici-
patei extraordinary success
was the leader, and generally venturcd upon
any exploit in which there was uncommon dan
ger. Not that the Others were towards on the
contrary, they were all brave men, but was
gifted with u GOODNESS and IL presence of mind
of which the others were destitute. As two
persons were needed, in order to explore the
Marmion had selected as my companion IL
Young fellow, whose stoadiness and dauntlcss
courage had several times before been fearfully
tested.
1t was Il calm and pleasant day, but the
southern and eastern horizon looked deceitful.
Small, suspicious clouds were gathered there,
i'll of aspect, and g sneaking fellows, regular
hang dog fellows" as my comrade, Rimmer, re-
marked to me- Nevertheless. we were not to be
put off by "a little coudiness in the sky, but
boldly prepared to venture.
So deep was the water, that no vcstigc of a
ship mast remained above the surface, to point
out the resting place of the Marmion. We
were compelled, therefore, to select the scene oi
our operations according to the best of our
ability Down went the sails Of our schooner
and Rimmer and put on our diving armor.--
We fixed on our helmets tightly, and screwed
on the hose. One by one each clumsy article
was adjusted. The weights were hung, and WI
were ready.
"It looks terrible blackish Berton," said
Rimmer to me
"Oh," replied, gaily, 8" it's only II littl
mist-all right! 3"
"Ah!" He uttered low exclamation, whicl
sounded hollow from his cavernous helmet.
"All ready" cried, in loud voice, whicl
they, however, could not easily distinguish L.
Then, making proper sign, was swun
over the side.
Down we went, | first, and Rimmer close be
hind me- 1t did not take long time for us tt
reach the bottom. We found ourselves upo
what seemed broad plain, sloping downward
toward the south and rising slightly towar'
;'la north. Looking forward then, a dim, blac
ject arose, which our experienced eyes kne,
to be lofty rock.
motioncd to Rimmer that we should procee,
there
cannot tell the strargeness of the sensation
felt by one who first walks the bottom of tn
sea.
There are a thousand objects, fitted to cz
cite astonishment, even in the mind of him VIII
has dared the deed hundred times All aroun
us Law the plain, covered by water but her
tho eve could not pierce far away, MS in the az
per air, for the water, in the distance gre
opaoue. and seemed to fade away, into mist
darkness. There was no sound, except the il
cesssant gurgle which was produced by the c.
cape of air from the breast valve, and the plas
caused by our passage through the waters. W
walked on at q good pace for this armo
which seems so clumsy up above, is excellel
below. and offers little Inconvenience to tt
practced wearer.
Fishes in crowds were around us. Fishes
every shape and size met our eyes, no matt
where they turned. They swan swiftly by Vi
they sported in the water above u.s. they rac
and chased one another, in every direction
Here shoal Of porpoises tambled along
clumsy gambols, there grampas might be sec
rising slowly to the surface ; here an immen
number of smaller fish flashed past us, the
some huge ones. with ponderous forms, float
in the water lazily. Some times three or TO
placed themselves directly before us, staring
us, and solemnly working their gills. The
thew would remain, till we came close up
them, and then, with start, they would da
away.
All this time we were walking onward, alol
the bottom of the sea, while above us, like
black cloud in the sky, we could soc our bo
Il 10 rinnn of Z