The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1870-06-22
At the Bottom Of the Sea.
ADVENTURES OF A DIVER
WHO VISITED THE ONEIDA.

On the 24th day of February
the ';borrowed'' steamship Aroos-
took, with Charles and J. S. Lou
gee, practical and experienced
divers from San Francisco, went
to where the Oneida lies in 123
feet of water. After the usual
preparations had been concluded,
and, by sounding, it had been as
certained that the deck Of the
Oneida was 103 feet beneath the
surface of the bay, after every eau
tion had been given to eight
strong sailors to keep the air
pump constantly in motion, and
allow not an instant of time of
stoppage to occur, as thereby de-
pended the life of the bold diver;
after Charley Lougce had been
helmeted and shut from the air,
except that supplied through the
slender Luue Or co11rd ruuper, Win
q lifeline around his body and
leadcn clogs to his feet; with
"sood-bye" and "God bless YOU
from all aboard, he was dropped
over the side and slowly disap-
pcared in the bluo waves, while 4
nervous trcmor shot through our
frame as we realized the fearful
risk undertaken by that man who
was seeking for truth in over one
hundred feet Of water.
Away to the leeward, borne by
tide and wind, came floating bub-
bles TO the surface-life signals
from below. The men at the
pump were laboring manfully, but
becoming fatigued, attempted to
change for fresh hands, and there
was a stop. "Great God you
will murder my brother! Quick!
for Heavens sake, quick !" And
as the men recommended the rev.
olutions of the air-pump, the elder
Lougee, with blanched face and
trembling lip, gave a signal on
the lifeline below. For an instant
there came no response, and the
face of that brother seemed to
turn to marble but then we saw
two quick motions from the sub
marine station, and know it was
the welcome signal of "all right"
and then Lougee turned to the
men at the wheel, who camo so
near sending both below, and SIM
ply said: "My only brothers life
depends upon your efforts in keep
ing that pump in motion-stop
again at your peril" !" The calm
face and passionate eye told these
men not to stop again, and with
Lieutanant Tanner close by, they
kept at work until stopped by Or
ders from Lougee.
Meantime, when we were on
the deck Of that "sand-pan," count
ing the tedious moments which
heightened to half an hour, Char
ley Lougeo was searching the
Oneida at the tremendous depth
mentioned. At last came the sig
nal for surface" and instantly
the lifeline was put in motion !;
slowly came the coiling hemp and
rubber, on deck and at last, away
in the deep blue waves, came in
sight the diver, shrouded and pan
oplied in weird garments. AS he
came to the surface, he reached
Minister DeLong a sword and lac
quered box, then was his helmet
loosened, and our party crowded
around to hear of the gallant ship.
Among our party were many Of
the survivors of the Oneida among
them were William Crowninshield,
Captain Clark, Master Yates, and
DR.. James Juddards, who were
intensely excited to learn the tt
dings.
Said the diver: "The water for
the first seventy feet was quite
clear, as the sun gave excellent
light, and although my supply Of
air was once checked for an in
slant, I reached the deck of the
ship Just astern Of the mizzen-
mast, and close by the :ness-room
hatch the tide was ebbing quite