The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-10-08

Ii Is u strange business, tnlS dlvinS. Int
danger fascinates some. but The peril Il
never for moment lost sight of. / put
on the helmet for the first time more than
ten years ago, and yet I never resume II
without u feeling that 1t may be the last
time l shah ever go down. or course
one ha, more confidence after while
but there is something In being shut up
in an armor. weighed down with q hun.
dred pounds, and knowing that q little
leak in your life pipe is your death. that
no diver can get rid of. And do not
know that should care to Danish the feel.
ing; for the sight of the clear, blue sky,
the genial sun, and the face Of fellow.
man, after long hours among the fishes,
makes you feel like one who has suddenly
been drawn away from the grasp oi
death. have had some narrow escapes
while pursuing my strange profession
every diver has, or has been unusually
lucky to escape them.
l think the most dangerous place l ever
got into was going down to examine the
propeller Comet, sunk of Toledo. In
working about her bottom. got my air
pipe coiled over q large silver from the
stoven hole, and could not reach 1t. with
my hands. Every time ] Isprang up to
remove the hose my tender would give
me the "slackn of the line, thus letting
me fall back again. He did not under
stand his duties, and did not know what
nv signals on the lifeline meant. 1t was
two hours and u half before l was reliev-
ed, and there wasn't % moment that was
not looking to see the hose cut by the rag
Ced wood. It's strange feeling you
have down there. You go walking over
vessel. clanbering up her sides, peering
here and there, and tho feeling that you
are alone makes you nervous and uneasy.
Sometimes vessel sinks down so fairly
that she stands up on the bottom rs trim
and rs neat as II slic rode on tho surface.
Then you can 60 down into the cabin, up
the shrouds. walk all over her, just as ca
sily. rs q sailor could II she were still DASH
ing away before the breeze. Only 1t seems
so quiet, SO tonib-like; there are no waves
down there-Only swaying back and
forth of the waters. and o see-sawing OF
the ship. You hear nothing from above.
The great fishes will come swimming
about, rubbing their noses against your
glass, and staring with wondering look
into your eyes. The very stiffness somc-
times gives life chill. You hear just .
moaning. wailing sound, like the last
notes of an organ, and you cannot help
but think of tho dead men floating over
and around you.
have been down especially TO rescue
the bodies Of those drowned. About four
years ago the propeller Buckeye. belong
Ing to the Northern Transportation Com
psny, went down In the river St. Law.
renee, In scventy-eight feet Of water, and
Il was known that u mother and child
were asleep In their state.room Mt the
time of her sinking. The father begged
of me and offered me good deal OF mon.
ey to take out the corpses, and though I
dreaded the work, ut last consented. /
had been all over the wreck two or three
times and knew just where the state-room
was. The door was fast locked. and /
waited good while before bursting 1t
open.
or course dead person couldn't harm
YOU, but even In broad day, on shore, ana
with people around you, don't you know
that the sight and presence OF u dead per-
son brings up solemn thoughts and merry,
Gus feelings? / knew how they would
look, how they were floating around In
the room, and II tho father hadn't been
looking so wretched above, there was no
money TO tempt me In there. But at last,
yot n crowbar from forward, and, not
letting myself think. gave the light door
d blow that stove 1t in. The water came
rushing out, the vessel just then lurched
over toward my side, and out they came.
the woman first, her eyes wide open and
hair trailing behind. and In her left hand
she held tho hand Of hcr child. ] know
how they would look. but screamed out
and jumped back. Her faco was fesrfiilly
distorted. showing how hard death had