The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1868-04-09

Three Years Under Water.-Tbe
submarine Life OF . Professional
Diver. -
About twenty years ago Hiram Hill,
then well known in Cairo, accepted en-
ployment on Messrs. Eads & Nelson .
wreokfng or submarine bell boats. In
time he was installed a. diver, and AZ
such We propose to speak of him.
He remained in the employment of
Messrs Eads 4 Nelson period of eight
cen years. He is now on Messrs Du0an
4 Co.'S. Underwater. where we saw him
and learned something Of the life of q
diver.
The use Of bell, in diving, is now dis
carded. The diver wears water tight
armor over his entire person, except the
head. which Is covered by nm ia~erteta
metallic pot, in which the head can turn
and move at ease. Thick Transparent
glass is fixed in front to serve as win.
dows /; and to prevent accidents the glass
Is protected by steel guards or Tenders.
Equipped in this armor, the diver puts
on pair Of lead soled shoes, weighing
each twenty pounds, lashes to his back
and breast piece of lead Weighing for
ty pounds, attaches the tube through
which he receives air, to the back Of his
headpot, and then IL ready for his subma
rine explorations. He generally descends
to the bottom of the river by the use of
. ladder, but can, without incurring any
risk, jump from the boat and sink TO
the bottom. The moment he disappears
under water, the air pump commences
its work of supplying him with con-
slant stream Of fresh air. If at any
time the air creates too great a pressure
upon him, the pressure is relieved by q
self actiny valve fixed at side the Of the
pot If the pump does not frrnish enoug
air, the diver indicates the fact by signs
and the supply 10 increased.
Mr.. Hill informs US that he has re-
mained under water five hours at time
The great weight fastened upon his feet
and body is necessary to couteract tho
buoyance Of the air furnished by the
pump. While on the boat, the armor
abe weswhts form q load for . strong
man. Under water they impose no re-
alizable weight, and in no way impede
motion. Mr.. Hill informs us that he
has, while under water, often Chamber.
ed up stancions, jumped down hatch.
ways, a distance Of twelve and fifteen
feet with much greater ease and less
risk than he might have proformed the
| same feats out OF the water. Taking
with him his tools, he has frequently
worked for hours at time patching up
the bottoms Of snagged steamers, saw.
ing boards, boring holes, driving nails
etc, with perfect ease and accuracy.
When the water is clear he can recog
nize shapes at distance Of six feet, and
at the distanse of six inches he can de-
termine the different kinds Of timber
When the rivers are high and the water
is muddy, every thing 10 impenetrabl,
black, rendering it immatertal whether
his eyes are open or shut. But with
him the character Of the water 10 imma.
terial. He has been at the busines &C
long that by the mere sense Of touch, he
can instantly determine what portion Of
the wreck he is exploring, can cork up
cracks or patch up holes can determine
the character Of . sunken cargo; pass
| from hatch to hatch through the hold,
and do everythingels under water thai
an expert blind man might do ON the
land. He says that he breathes full and
satisfactory that there Is no sitting
sensation, no odds how long he re-
maint under. Indesd % accustomed n
he to life and labor under water, that
he feels somewhat lost when his stays on
land Is protracted. He isof the opinion
that about three years Of his life have
BEEN spent under tho watsr-yct he haa
NO scales on his body, No sign n flns o1
gills-uot even web Seet. He = 10 Ill
tntont md purpnses, . humau bsang,
not even paFtaking o1 the naturG Of Z
mer.man-or any other NH !-0dfy0
| (1lD Democrat.