The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-08-13
THE TRIBUNE.
SUBMARINE EXPLORATIONS.
experiments with New Diving-BeIl
IL visit to the Wreck Of the Frjgate
nuSSar--FiyeMilli0 Dollars Waiting
Notwithstanding Revolution
afY "Reminiscences

characterization Dollars WaiIins
kecOfery--InteresIing Revolution
AIRY "reminiscences.
From the New York Times July3I
u Yesterday some experiments were made
with new form of diving bell, or subma
rlne explorer, as its inventor chooses tt
call 1T, at the foot of One Hundred ant
thirty eight street, East River, in III,
presence OF number of scientific and prac
tlcii gentlemen, the results OF which were
highly Satisfactory.
-, THE SUBMARINE EXPLORER.
The apparatus consists Of a bell-shapec
structure of boiler iron. ten and hall
feet in height and nine feet in diamete,
at the bottom, 1t has an inner and an
outer shell, and is divided by diaphragm
into two chambers. Between the shells
IS compressed air chamber, containing
50 cubic feet of space, and a water bal
last capable of containing 100 cubic feet
OF water. In the upper chamber of the
bell is the usual spray pump for the pur-
pose of purifying the air.
The water from this pump, however,
instead of descending, as in the ordinary
diving bell, into the chamber, thus caus-
ing those occupying it great discomfort,
percolates through prepared felt, which
absorbs all the redundent moisture In
this chamber, also, are the various cocks
TO regulate the supply of air, and also to
permit the compressed air to pass,
when required into the water-balast
chamber.
When the bell is about to descend, the
compressed air chamberi is filled, the water
chamber being empty. The bell being
closed, water is permitted to flow into the
ballast chamber and the bell sinks. Air
for the use of those in the bell is supplied
In the usual manner by a powerful air
pump, which is capable of forcing air
into the bell until there is pressure of 800
pounds to the square inch Beneath the
first or upper chamber is second, known
as the working chamber with a space Of
204 cubic feet. 1t is here that the diver
descends when the bell has reached the
bottom of the water, and standing on the
shiny bed OF the water, turns over with
pick-ax and shovel whatever may be in
his reach. As his explorations are com
pleted he signals to those above by means
of guide ropes, and the bell is moved to
another locality and his explorations re-
sumed. When the diver wishes to ascend,
he permits the air from the compressed
alr-chamber to rush into the water ballast
chamber. The water is thus forced out,
and the bell at once ascends, either slow
ly or rapidly. according to the amount of
compressed air admitted in to the water
ballast chamber The quantity of air
admitted is regulated by gauge Dur
Ing the experiments yesterday the bell
assembled with such force as to leap near
ly out of the water The divers are able
to remain beneath the water from three
to FIVE hours The only difficulty felt by
those in good health and with sound lungs,
and no one else should ever descend IN
diving bell, is an unpleasant pressure on
the drum of the ear, which lasts for sew
eral minutes. The interior of the bell
when beneath the water is, of course,
quite dark The only light used is that
of the best sperm candies; no others
burn well, and lamps throw off too much
cafbon.
The submarine explorer is the inven-
ton of MIR. William Mont Storm The
oae used yesterday was built at Secor's
iron works 1t contains $4,000 pounds
of iron.
THE WRECK OF THE FREGATE HUSSAR.
The experiments made with the ex-
plorer yesterday were i'll the yacinity of
thu wreck of the English trigate Hussar.
THIS vessel formed part OF the English
feet during the Revolutionary War, and
on board OF her was kept the treasure for
the payment Of the British army On
the 18th OF November, 1880, Evacuation
Day the officers OF the vessel knowing Of
the vacinity of the French feet attempted
to escape by running the frigate up the
East River She struck, however, on
Pot Rock, at Hell Gate, aud sustained
serious damage. Her officers sailed her
on for about mile, to what was then
known as Port Morris, now the foot of
One Hundred and Thirty eighth street
surprising that they wcud there find shall
low water In fact however, thew had
unwittingly selected the deepest part of
the river, the vessel having at least sew
enty feet Of water beneath her keel A
hawser was got out aud made fast to a
huge oak tree on the bank of the river,
and in a few minutes after an alarm was
raised that the vessel was sinking. So
rapidly did she settle down that the Off
GERS were compelled to rush from their
cabins, leaving their clothing, and even
their swords, money and jeweed snuff
boxes behind them. On the lower deck
were eighty American prisoners in mana
cles- No attempt was, or could be made
to save them, and every man, so far as
known, persisted The hawser which
had been made fast to the oak tree exert
ed such strained upon the tree that it
tore 1t up by the roots. Not far from
the spot where the vessel went down
Governor Morris had an elegant mansion
"a field Of corn now waves over its site
where he afforded accommodations for
the night to the officers of the ill-fated
Uussar. On the arrival Of these gentle
men III England "A court martial was held
aud from the evidence then given it ao-
peared that the HuS>ar had on board at
the time she sunk 500, 900 George III.
euineas. which were packed in fiftv-two
iron hoxeS bound with copper, and built
into the run of the vessel There can
therefore, be no doubt that the treasure
Is living at the bottom of the river to re
ward the luck or perseverance of some
one.
In 1894 the English Government sent
over two hrigs with men and implements
TO raise the frigate; but after two seasons
of fruitless labor they left In 1919 they
made second attempt to raise her with
the most powerful machinery known, but
the workman were ordered of by the
American Government, on the ground
that the vessel and all she contained were
prizes Of war. The wreck was then al
lowed to rest fora time, but in lS4S other
attempts were made to recover the treas
ure. An organization known as the Frig-
ate Hussar Company, with which was
connected Nlr. e. w. Taylor, the we'll
known diver, was formed, and constant
attempts were made to discover the treas
ure without success. Up to 1867 the
company had expended 100000 in its
fruitless search. This company now have
a contract with Messrs w. Il. Taylor and
ia. Wessee, owners of the submarine