Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-02-26
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THE OCEAN DEPTHS.
A DIVERS TALE.

The life of one who explores the mysteries
of the sea, is not more perilOuS than taSclna-
TIM. The charm Of terror hangs around 1t,
and the iuterminabIe succession for exciting
eveuts render it dear to its professor. Not to
tue common diver of the h sSt who can remain
bat for fraction OF time beneath the wave,
aud gr0pe fearfully among rugged ocean
mOlndS, but to the adept IN the civilized mode
Of diving, who, in his protective armor, may
remain submer5ed for hours, and wander, Wi h
impcni,y, for miles along those unknown re
cQns ia below the SEA To him are laid open
the horrors Of the wateTy creation, end ne
may gaze upon such scenes as Arabian story
tells Us were presented TO the fearful eyes OF
Abdaah. 10 him the most thrilling occur
FENCES OF the upper world seem frivolous for,
III bis ne nory, he retains thoughts that may
we'll chill the soul with dread.
am a diyer-a diver from cholce@-and 4
am proud Of my profession Where Is such
courage required as is needed here 1t is
nothing to be a soldier diver, ,however-bnt
liOrbear | will tell my story, aud leave
others to Judge concerning it.
An appalling sh pwreck occurred, not long
ago, upon the widest part Of the coast OF New
oundaDd. The tidiugs of this calamity reach
Cd the ears of thousands; but, AMID the CROWD
Of accidents which followed in quick success
sion, it was soon forgotten. Not by US, how
ever We found that the vessel had sunk upon
q spot where the waters depth was by no
Means great, and that daring man might
easily reach her
She was steamer called Marmion. and had
been seen going suddenly down, without an
:tGnts warning, oy some fishermen near by.
She bad, undoubtedly struck a hidden rock,
and had thus been, in one moment, destroyed:
| spoke to my associates of the plan, and
laey approved it, No time was lost III making
tde necessary preparations, and short Time
OeheId US embarked 10 our sch h0oner Tor tue
ilnken ship There were six of US, and we
! Anticipated extraordinary success.
was the leader, and generally ventured
cpon any exploit in which there was uncom.
4 h0l danger Not that the others were cow
aids on the contrary, they were all brave
nen, but | was gifted with GOODNESS and
Feseuce of mind o! which the others were
destitute. AS two persons were needed, IN
order to explore the Marmion, | had selected
Is ny companion young fellow, whose stead
Ce& and dauntless courage had several times
OeiOFe been fearfu ly tested.
TWAS calm and pleasant day, but the
southern and eastern horizon looked deceltiul.
Email, suspicious clouds were gathered there,
III Of aspect, and sneaking fellows, regular
oaugdog fellows" as my comrade Rimmer
senarked to me. Nevertheless, we were not
% De put off by a little cloudiness in the sky,
VI. boldly prepared to venture.
:, 90 deep was the water, that no Vestige OF
sQPs mast remained above the surface, to
PE'nt ont the resting place of the Narmion.-
we were compelled, therefore, to select the
sCene of operations according to the best of
'aF ability. Down went the sails of our schoon
n n and Runner and put on our diving armor.
We hxed on our helmets tightly, and screwed
W 'he hose. One by one each clumsy article
,ss "% adjusted The weights were hung, and
'ul We We're ready.