Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-05
THE OCEAN DEPTHS.
BENNETT & co.
A DIVERS TII.E.

-sOs-
A DIVERS TNIE.
The life of one who explores the mystere.
of the sea, is not more perilous than iascinat
ing The charm of terror hangs around it
and the interminable succession OF exciting
events renders it dear to its professor. Not
TO the common diver of the East who can re.
main but for fraction of time beneath the
wave, and grope iearfully 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. To him are laid
open the horrors of the watery creation, and
he may gaze upon such scenes as Arabian
story tells us where presented to the fearful
eyes of Abealah. TO 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 n dver-a diver from choice-and
am proud of my profession. Where is such
courage required as is needed here? 1t is
nothing to be soldier Il diver, however
but forbear. will tell my story, and leave
others to judge concerning it.
An appalling shipwreck occurred, not long
ago, upon the widest part of the coast OF
Newfoundland. The tidings of this calamity
reached the ears of thousands but, amid the
crowd of accidents which followed in quick
succession, it was soon forgotten. Not by us,
No tl,ot ~, i 4.
upon a spot where the waters depth was by
no means great, and that daring man might
easily reach her.
She was a steamer called the Marmion, and
had been seen going suddenly down, without
an instant's warning, by some fishermen near
by. She had undoubtedly, struck u hidden
rock and had thus been, in one moment de-
stroyed.
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 sunken ship. There were six of us, and
we anticipated extraordinary success.
was the leader, and generally ventured
upon any exploit in which there was uncom-
mon danger. Not that the others were cow
ards; on the contrary, they were all brave
men, but was gifted with GOODNESS and
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 young fellow, whose stead
iness and dauntless courage had several times
before been fearfully tested.
ltwas calm and pleasant day, but the
southern and eastern horizon looked deceitiul.
Small, suspicious clouds were gathered there,
ill of aspect and 'sneakng fellows, regular
hang-dog fellows as my comrade, Rimmer,
remarked to me. Nevertheless, we were not
to be put off by a little cloudiness in the sky,
but boldly prepared to venture.
So deep was the water, that no veshge of
ships mast remained above the surface, to
point ont the resting place of the Marmion.
We were compelled, therefore, to select the
scene of operations according to the best OF
our ability. Down went the pals OF our
schooner, and Rimmer and put on our diving
armor. We fixed on our helmcts tightly, and
screwed on the hose. One by one each clum-
sy article was adjusted. The weights were
hung, and we were ready
at looks terrible blackish, Berton," said
Rimmer to me.
"Oh," replied, gaily, dts only little
INSTALL rightln
"Ahl' He uttered low exclamation, which
sounded hollow from his cayernous helmet
"All ready" cried, in loud voice, which
they, however, could not easily distinguish
Then, making a proper qign was swung over
the side.
Down we went, first, and Rimmer close
behind me. II did not take long time for us
to reach the bottom. We found ourselves upon
what seemed a broad plain, sloping downward
teward the south, and rising slightly, toward
the north. Looking forward then, a dim,
black object arose, which our experienced
eyes knew to be lofty rock.
motioned to Rimmer that we should pro-
coed there.
cannot tell the strangeness of the sensa-
tion felt by one who first walks the bottom of
the sea.
There are thousand objects, fitted to ex-
cite astonishment, even IN the mind OF him who
has dared the deed hundred times. All
around us lay the plain, covered by water;
but here the eye could not pierce far away
as in the upper air, for the water, in the dis
tance, grew Opaque, and seemed to fade away
into a misty darkness. There was no sound,
except the incessant gurgle which was pro-
duced by the escape of air from the breast
valve, and the plash caused by our passage
through the waters. We walked on at good
pace for this armor, which seems so clumsy
up above, is excellent below, and offers little
Inconvenience to the practised wearer.
Fishes in crowds were around US. Fishes
of every shape and size met our eyes, no mat
ter where they turned. They swan swiftly by
us; they sported in the water above us; they
raced and chased one another, in every direc-
tion. Here shoal of porpoisss tumbled along
in clumsy gambols, there a grampus might be
seen rising slowly to the surface; here an inn