Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-05-15
DIVING AT SEBASTOPOL.


A letter describing the operation at Sebastopol
for raising the sunken Russian ships, relates She
following incident.
November 5-We had a terrible excitement on
hoard one day last week. One Of the divers
Harris, the English mirine,) Il first rate fellow,
and bold AS a liOL, goes down xamining the out
SHE Of the ship or which they are at work. lie
had been forward and was going aft, along the
bottom, in sixty feet of water, when he suddenly
signaled for more air. aud though the pressure
was instantly increased, two more signals fer air,
and 'to come Up," followed in rapid succession,
and then ceased all reply TO signals given.
Thinking the fault was in the air pump, the
speed was increased until q pipe bursting near
the engine showed that the hose was foul. Then
they shouted to the other diving party in u row
boat at a distance, to come to the rescue. That
diver was brought up by his tenders, and they
commenced rowing for the steamer.
Meanwhile. pour Harris made no response to
the anxious signaling of his tenders. and they had
tried in vain to haul him up-the "'liie line" was
also foul. The pump was kept slowly in motion,
but no bubbles came up from the water, and we
knew that no air was reaching him.
The row boat was coming as fast as possible.
but | thought il would never arrive. AT last they
came alongside. The divers helmet was closed,
strong hands worked rapidly and silently. and in
an instant lie was lowered out OF sight, the hose OF
his sutfoca,ing companion in his hand there WAS
~ interval Of two or three minutes of fearful sus.
pense, in which no word was spoken 10y any Of
the score of men gathered thsre, save one wisper
lit must be too late"
Suddenly a second column Of rising airbubbles
appeared. The hose is cleared-he has air"
several voices spoke eagerly.
Then followed the signal for rising, and up they
~came-poor Harris all stark and motionless.-
stop the pump he is dead ~ said one, unscrewing
the eyeglass through which he saw the gha-tly
cOuntenance and irothy lips. But the cold air
striking his lived face, the eyeids half opened
and closed again,
"IIe is alive" they all cried ~joyfully, and re-
moving the ~unsigLily helmet and dashiRg water
on his head and breast, he presently began to
breathe perceptibly, aud after an hours diligent
rubbing from many strong and willing hand
MS could get around him, he began to come tn con-
seriousness. He suffered great pain for holrs in
the heal and breast, but is now altogether recov'
cred, and divioE Ms usual.
On the whole, it was such an occurrence as
hope may not happen here again that ten min
utes in which we had The consciousness that q mar
WAS dying for the want OF assistance which VT
could 10y no means give, | cannot think Of with
out a shudder. The hose had got fast under d
port cover ia such q way rs TO cut off the air sud
denly and entirely. The lie line was fast on some
old rigging down in The mud under the bottom u
the ship, where he had craSled in his Jealous
search after holes or n juries. lie owes his life Il
3 the GOODNESS and dexteri.y of the other diver, who
? ptoyidentialiy followed the huse and cleared i
' befure descending to him, thus giving him air two
y HllHutcH hOOucT tbhu no va o'hS 40 10
! received il and it came late enough.
! remember last Winter discussing divers and
diving with our friend-- We were both
uninstructed as TO the particulars, like many 9th
J ers ~ho have not seen the process. l have since
had sufficient opportunity 80 observe. The dres;
r is Of gutta percha, ar rubber cloth. large and
: loose in one piece. pants. boots. waistcoat anG
j.. sleeves, into which the diver is inserted from tn,
top by his tenders after substituting heavy fame
, drawers, socks, &c.. for the ordinary apparel
Once tucked into this ample, casing. the head Ii
lowered viii, a close fitting wooden cap, the breas
, plaie and helmet of iron put on. the latter a hollow
/. Globe, much larger Of course, than the head. AM
: provided with three little windows, grated anc
glazed. called eye glasses the front 0ae is Away
= open while dressing. The upper part of she dres
IA now fastened 10 the breast plate, being place.
. between its edge and a covering metallic riu
which il then firmly screwed to it's place by mean
: of a wrench, making the connection water.tight
/, Heavy cOw:iide bragans, with soles of lead three
= quarters Of an inch thick, strong rubber rings 70
q the wrist which prevent water from entering tn,
g sleeve, and the girdle of shot. weighing some sew
. enty five pounds, complete the firing.
The lifeline is tied round the waist, the sheath
: knife placed in his belt. the pump is started, th,
: eve glass screwed in. and he is ready TO descend
The dress being now filled with air. the sba' eles-
body and limbs of the monster swelling to a size
fitting that OF his head. making altogether q hide
Gus figure which you are not sorry TO see vanish
J out Of sight. wondering what sort of a reception
the merniaids would give him IL he falls in their
way. THE fish are not afraid of them-they
sometimes bring up u pocket full The hose
. which supplies the air is OF gutta percha. Of hall
finch bare. and attached to the helmet just at the
hump of self esteem. The escape valve is below
il. The lifeline, by which signals are transmit.
red, ia passed through n loop on the right eye
glass, ~ that the slightest motions are felt. lie
Iusually deseends part Of the way. at least, on a
rope ladder. but sometimes lowered by the life.
line from the first. BIS .-...suI nd s. .7.r.. .
The prsssars Of air is gradually increased o. he
fg0ss lower, more force beng repaired, Of course,