The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-08-04
TIE OCEAN DEPTHS.
& Divers Tale.

TIE OCEAN DEPTHS.
| 1870 ee-~-----
q Divers Tale.
The life Of one who explores tie mys-
terles of the sea, is not more periIous than
fascinating. The charms Of terror hangs
around it, and the interminable succession
of exciting events renders it dear to its
| professor. Net to the common diver Of
the East, who can remain but for fraction
Of lime beneath the wave and grope fear
fully among rugged ocean mounds, but to
the adep. in the civilized mode of diving,
who, in his protective armor, may remain
submerged for hours, and wander with
IMMUNITY, for miles along those unknown
regions tar below the sea. To him ale
laid out the horrors Of the watery creation,
and he may gaze upon such scenes as Ara
bian story tell Us were presented to the
fearful eyes Of Abdalah. To him the
most thrilling occurrences of the upper
world seem frivolous, for, in bis memory,
he retains thoughts that may well chill
The soul with dread
am a diver-a diver from choice-
and an proud Of my profession. Where
is such courage required as is needed here?
1t is nothing 10 be a soldier; diver, how
eyer-but foi besr. | will tell my story,
and leave others to Judge concerning it.
An appalling shipwrecls occurred not
long ago, upon the widest part of the
coast of New foundland. The tdlrgs Of
this calamity reached tie ears of thou
sands; 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
a SPOT where the waters depth was By no
means great, and that a daring man might
easily reach her.
She was steamer called The Marm;on,
ard had been seen going suddenly down,
without an ins:anl's warning, by some fish
ermen GEAR by. She had, undoubtedly
struck a 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
IL making the necessary preparations and
a short time beheld Us embarked in our
small schooner for the sunken ship. There
were six Of US, and we Anticipated extras
ordinary success.
was the leader, and generally ventureG
upon any exploit in which there was IN
common danger. Not that the Others
were coward Oh the contrary, they were
all brave men, but was gifted with cool
ness and presence Of mind of which the
others were destitute. AS two persous
were reeded to explore the Marmion, |
had selected for my companion a young
fellow, whose steadiness and dauntless
courage bad several times before been
feaTtullv tested.
1t was calm and pleasant day, but the
southern and eastern horizon looked de>
ceitful. Small, suspicious clouds were
gathered there, III of aspect, ard sneak
ing fellows, regular hang-dog fellows" as
my comrade, Rmmer, remarked to me.
Nevertheless, we were not to be put off by
little coudiness in the sky, but boldly
prepared to venture.
So deep was The water, that no vestige
Of ships mast remained above the sur
face, to point out the resting place Of the
MarDion. We were compelled, therefore,.
TO select the scene ofopeTations according
to the best Of our ability. Down went
the sails OF our schooner, aud Rimmer
ard Put on cur diving armor. We fixed
on our helmets tightly, and screwed on
the hose. One by one each clumsey ar
tic!e was adjusted. The weights were
hung and we were ready.
1T looks terrible 5lackish, Berton,"
said Rimmer TO ne.
Oh" replied gaiIy, "ts only little
mist all right"
"Ah.' he utter a low exclamation.
which sounded hollow from Lis cavernous
helmet.
"AIl ready I cried, in loud voice,
which they, however, could not easily dis
tiDguish. Then making proper sign, l
was swung over the side.
Down We went, first, and Rimmer
close behind NE. 1t did not take long
time for us to reach the bottom. We
found ourselves upon what seemed broad
plain, s!oping downward, towards the
south, and rising slightly towards the north.
Looking forward then, dim, black object
arose, which cur experienced eyes knew TO
be lofty rock.
| motioned TO Rimmer that we should
proceed there.
cannot tell the strangeness Of the
sensation fell by one who first walks the
bottom Of the sea-
There axe thousand objects, fitted TO
excite establishment, even in the mind Of
him who dared the deed hundred times
All around Us lay the pain covered by
water; but here the eve could not pierce
far away, as in the upper air, for the water
IN The distance, grew Opaque, and seemed
to fade away into misty darkness. There