The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-24
gutal 9ntflli9enre.

NEW LIFE SAVING APPARATUs.-TLere was
given at Lake End yesterday afternoon, to a small
party of invited guests an exhibition of the prac-
tical working of a new patent life saving appa-
ratus, intended for use upon all sea aud river
going vessels. The invention belongs to the Ma.
iionsl Life Saving and Ship Ballasting Company,
which is represented here by DR.. N. l.. Rossvaliy.
A week since as we were then informed by the
regular press dispatches from Washington, this
invention was brought before the congressional
naval committee, who made trip down the Poto-
mac IN company with DR.. ROssvay. and having
seen the apparatus fully tested, expressed them.
selves satisfied with it, and recommended its use
in the navy. The doctor has also given similar
exhibitions in New York, Boston, Philadelphia
and Baltimore, and with similar success; every
tTaIs Atlantic steamer now leaving the last men,
toned port being provided with the apparatus.
BY invitation and by accident combined, there
was quite a crowd collected at the pier-head last
evening. as the doctor proceeded to array 10 his
India rubber suit q gentleman of this city, who
had volunteered TO prove his confidence 10 the
apparatus by donning it and jumping into the
placid water of POntchartrain. He did so, having
put on over his clothing the suit, consisting OF
boots and pants, jacket and hood, all in one, the
face being left open, although protected by fl Ip
or vzor, which may be pulled down or up at
pleasure. There are weights which are tied upon
The top of each foot, being made 10 it there
closely and which are intended TO preserve the
balance of the wearer. The entire suit, weights
ard all, is light -orly thirtytWo pounds-and
gives to the one who puts himself inside it the ap
learsnce of an Esquimau on the ar-path. Taus
arTayed the gentleman we speak OF jumped cOOly
overheard, and without disappearing at all from
view. hoated about on the surface, the water
being on the level Of bis breast and bis head as
erect as if be were standing 90 the wharf. After
Bm in few moments, went DR.. Rossyally, SINH
IaTly sttired, and the pair, defylng Neptane,
moved about in the water as dryshOd aud as safely
as if drowning or a dnckng had never been re.
co ded in the category of human perils.
Ii should have been mentioned that there Is
attached 10 the apparatus a Tin buoy. coataining
! compartments for water and provisions for ten
! days, and for whatever else of small bulk ship
! wrecked man might desire TO stow away. There
Is, too signal flag fitted to iOiuted stat, which
| may be taken to pieces and put inside the buoy.
Tins is provided in order TO catch the attention OF
passing vessels. II was novel and amusing to see
| DR.. ROssvally produce flask, aud after taking
swig hand it TO his companion, who did the same
| to see HIM light cigar and puf away as the
waves danced about him; TO see him bring out
! two or three Roman candles from the inexhiusti-
| bic tin box. and fire them of as he foated; or,
finally 10 see him put in his mouth little india
| rubber tube connecting with the water tank, and
| imbibe thence drsught Of aqua purd. All this
trsnspired. and yet when the doctor landed, after
half an hours immersion, his clothing was dry as
/ a bone with the exception OF the moisture caused
| by persDiration.
II may be stated, too, that there is IN the india
| rubber a preparation which effectualy keeps on
| Sharks and other savage marine inhabitants. Inc
doctor was once sixteen hours in the water on tns
| Florida reefs, where sharks most do congregate
| and yet went unmolested. We might 60 on to say
| more about this curious invention, but would pre-
fer that those who feel Interested should go 10 the
foot Of Canal street. at six O'Clock this afternoon