The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-30
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA.
Thrilling adventures of n Diver Who Visited
the Oneida-Veriica tion Of the Testim ony of
the Saved.

tue ShNcus
On the oath day Of February the ''borrowed"
steamship Aroosto0k with Charles and j. S. Lougee,
practical and experienced divers from San Fran
cisco, went to where the Oneida lies in 1913 feet OF
water. After the usual preparations had been con-
cluded, and by sounding 1t had been ascertained
that the deck Of the Oneida was 1O3 feet beneath the
surface OF the bay; after every caution had been
given to eight strong sailors to keep the airpump
constantly in motion and allow not an instant OF time
OF stoppage to occur, as thereby depended the lie
Of the bold diver; after Charley Lougee had been
helmeted and shut from air, except that supplied
through the slender tube OF coiled rubber, with q
lifeline around his body and eaden clogs to his feet
with ''Good-bye" and "God bless you" from ali
appeared in the blue waves, while nervous tremOr
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 berne by tide and wind,
came hoating bubbles to the surface-llfe signals
from below. The men at the pump were laboring
manfuly. but becoming fatigued, attempted to
change for fresh hands, and there was stop:
for Heavens sake, quick!" And as the men recon-
menced the revolutions OF the air-pump, the elder
Lougee, with blanched race and trembling lip, gave
signal on the lifeline below. For instant there
response and the face OF that brother seemed
TO torn to marble; but then we saw too quick mo-
tions from the submarine station, and knew it
the welcome signal of ''all right" and then Lougee
turned to the men at the wheel, who came so near
sending both below, and simply said:-'My only
brothers life depends upon your efforts in Keeping
that pump in motion-stop again at your peril" The
stop again, and with Lieutenant Tanner close by,
they kept at work until stopped by orders from
Lougee.
t'sand-pan, counting the tedious moments which
heightened TO half an hour. Charley Lougee was
searching the Oneida at the tremendous depth men
toned. At last came the signal for surface" and
instantly the lifeline was put In motion; slowly
last, away in the deep blue waves came In sight
the diver shrouded and panoped In weird gar
meDts. Az he came to the surface he reached Min
lister DeLong sword and lacquered box and then
was his helmet loosed, and our party crowded
around to hear of the gallant ship. Among our
among them were William Crowninshieid, Captain
Clark, Master Yates, and DR.. James Suddards, who
were intensely excited to learn the tiding.
Said the diyer:-"The water for the first seventy
feet quite clear, as the sun gave excellent light,
and although my supply OF air was once choked Tor
an instant, / reached the deck OF the ship just
asteTn OF the miZzen-mast, aud close by the mess
room hatch; the tide was ebbing quite strong, and
] was compelled to hold TO lines from the rig
gng to keep from being swept forward. first
examined the side OF the Ship she was cut from
degrees) across the whole stern of the ship.
her timbers, far below the water-llne, being
crushed and broken, the captains cabin cut in
and, in fact, the whole side and end OF the ship,
stove in or cut away. The ship is heading south
sand slowly. laid down Oh the deck and peered
over the broken end into the cabin, but did
not dare trust my airline in contract with
the jagged timbers. The guns and armament, ex--
cept one are all in place aft; but did not go for
ward, az was AFRAID OF ENHANCEMENT in the rig
ging" Turning to Crowinshied, he said :-"Yonr
| evidence, which read, described almost exactly
the injury except that sne was cut deeper than you
| could have Known" Lougee expressed the belief
that It will be impracticable to raise the ship, but
that the splendid battery, personal effects, etc can
| be saved II the Government sees proper.
BY this survey the testimony OF the living Is veri-
| fed and the memory OF the dead without stain,
for the position OF the ship as found ana the posi-
tons Of both the Oneida and BOMBAY, testified to
by the navigating officers, show that 1t was imp os
! sibe for the captain OF the Bombay to have ever
seen the red light OF the Oneida and that the order
OF 'P0rt your helm, 4" by Captain Eyre, was wrong,
and the "staIboard, hard ;starboard" OF Master
] Yates was right Correspondence Sacramento Bee.