Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-05-07
Perils of sea-Diring.

last week, says correspondent writing
private letter home from one OF the Amer
lean expeditions in SsbastoPol harbor.
One Of the divers, Harris, the English
marine, first rate fellow, and bold as a
lion. goes down examining the outside Of
the ship on which they we're at work. He
had been forward and was going aft.
along the bottom. in sixty feet of water.
when he suddenly signaIed for more air.
and though the pressure was instantly
increased, two more signals for "uir" and
to 'come up" followed in rapid success
sion, aud then ceased all reply to signals
given. Thinking the fault was in the air
pump, the speed was increased until a
pipe bursting near the engine showed that
the hose was foul. Then they shouted
TO the other diving party in row boat.
at \ little distance. to come to the rescue.
That diver was brought uP by his tenders.
and they commenced rowing for the
steamer. Meanwhile, poor Harris, made
no more response to the anxious signal
ing of his tenders. and they tried 10 vain
to haul him up-the "liie line" was also
foul. The pump was kept slowly in mo-
ton, and we knew that no air was reack>
ing him. 70.
The row boat was coming as fast
as possible, but l thought it never
would arrive At last. they came along.
side. The divers helmet was closed.
strong hands worked rapidly and silent.
ly, and in an instant he was lowered out
of sight. the hose of'his sutFocating com
panion in his hand there was an inter>
OF two Or three minutes of fearful sus.
pense, in which no " ord was spoken by
any Of the score Of men who gathered
there, save the whisper-"It must be too
late" Suddenly second column OF
rising air bubbles appeared. The hose
is cleared-he has air." several voices
spoke eagerly. Then followed the signal
for rising. and they came, poor Harris.
stark and motionless. "Stup the pump.
he is dead" said one. unscrew wing the eye
glass through which he saw the gLaHtly
countetance and frothy lips. But the
cold air striking his liyid lace, the eyes
lids half opened and closed again "He
is alive" they all cried. and removing
the unsightly helmet and dashing water
on his head aud breast. he presently be,
gan to breathe perceptihly. and after AN
hours diligent rubbing from as many
strong and willing hands as could get
around him, he began to come to con
seriousness. He suffered great pain for
hours in the head and breast. but is now
altogether recovered, and diving AS
usual.
On the whole, it was such AN occur
renee as | hope may not happen here
again that ten minutes, in which We had
the consciousness that a man was dyiny
for want of assi> stance which we could bY
no means give. l cannot think Of without
\ shudder. The hose got fast under n
port cover in such way as to cut off
the air suddenly and entirely. The li(e-
line, was fast on some old rigging down
in the mud under the bottom OF the ship,
where he had craWled in his Jealous
search after holes or injuries. He owes
his life to the GOODNESS and dex!eriiv Of
the other diver, who proyidentiaIly fol-
lowed the hose and cleared it before de-
scending to him, thus giving him air two
minutes sooner than he could have other
wise received it; and it came late
enough. The diving dress is of gutta per-
cha or rubber cloth. large and loose, in
one piece, pants, boots. waistcoat and
sleeves. into which the diver is inserted
from the top by his tenders. q ter substitu.
ting heavy flannel drawers, socks, etc.
for the ordinary apparel.
Once tucked into this ample casinq
the head is covered with a close. itting
wooleu cap. the breast plate and helmet
ofiron put on the latter. hollow globe,
much larger. Of course, than the head
and provided with three little windows,
grated and glazed. called Eyeglasses :;
.hs front one is always open while dress
ing. The upper part of The dress is now
fastened to the breastplate, being placed
between its edge, aud covering metallic
rim. which is then firmly screwed to its
place by means OF a wrench, making the
connection water.tight. Heavy cowhide
orogaus. with soles of lead. three quar-.
quarters Of an inch thick. strong rubber
rings Tor the wrist. which prevents water
from entering the sleeve. and the pifdle
OF shot weighing some seventh five
pounds, commPlete the attirins. The life.
line is is tied around the Waist ~
sheath-knife placed in his left belt .Le
pump is started, eye.glass screwed in and
he is ready to descend. The dress beino
now filled with air, the shapeless bod9
and limbs OF the monster swelling to q
size fitting that of his head, make alto,
gsther hideops figure. which. you are
9ot sorry to see vanish out of sight, won.
dering what sort offs reception the mer,
maids will give him. il he falls in thei,
way. The fish are not afraid OF them
they sometimes bring up pocket full.
Inc hose which supplies his air is Of