Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-05-27
Thrilling Adventures Of . Diver
who Visited the Oneida.


dy, lying l23 feet below the surface Of
the ocean. These divers were named
Charles and j. S. Lougee, and belonged
in San Francisco. After reaching the
spot and ascertaining the exact depth
and location Of the steamer, the usual
preparations were made for descending.
These preparations consisted Of . water
proof helmet in which the said Charles
Lougee was completely encased, and
which was connected by an India-rubber
tube, with an air pump and strong line
coiled about his body. All being made
ready, the correspondent says:
With "good bye" and aGod bless
you" from all aboard, he was dropped
over the side, and slowly disappeared 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. M
Away to the leeward, borne by tide
and wind came floating bubbles to the
surface-life-signals from below. The
men at the pump we're laboring manfil-
ly, but becoming fatigued, attempted to
changefo for fresh hands. and there was
stop. "Great God! you will murder my
brother! Quick! for Heavens sake,
quick - And as the men recommended
the revolutions of the air-pump, the ell
der Lougee, with blanched face and
trembling lip, gave signal on the life
line 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 subma-
rine station, and knew it was the well
come 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 calm face and passionate
eye told those men not to stop again, and
with Lieutenant Tanner close by, they
kept at work until stopped by orders
from Lougee.
Meantime, while we we're on the deck
of that :" sand pan " counting the tedi-
GUS moments which heightened to half
an hour. Charley Lougee was searching
the Oneida at the tremendous depth mem
toned. At last came the signal 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 panoplied
in wierd garments. As he came to the
surface he reached Minister DeLong
sword and a lacquered box, and then
was his helmet loosed, 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, Capt.
Clark, Master Yales, and DR.. James
Suddard, who were intensely excited to
learn the tidings. ies
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 choked for
an instant, / reached the deck Of the
ship just astern of the mizzen-mast, and
close by the mess-room hatch; the tide
was ebbing quite strong, and l was COM
PEELED to hold to lines from the rigging
to be kept from being swept forward. I
Orst examined the side Of the ship she
was cut from the mizzen rigging Ca.
an angle of about forty degrecs) across
the whole stern Of the ship, her timbers.
far below the water-line, being crushed
and broken. the Captains cabin cut in
two, the wheel and steering gear all car!
ried away, and, in fact, the whole side
and end Of the ship, stove in or cut
away. The ship is heading southwest,
and sits upright on the bottom and is
making sand slowly. laid down on
the deck. and peered over the broken
end into the cabin, but did not dare
trust my airline in contact with the
Jagged timbers. The guns and arma-
ment, except one, are all in place aft;
but ! did not 60 forward, as was afraid
of entanglement in the rigging" Turn
ing to Crowninshield, he said: "Your
evidence, which read, described almost
exactly the injury, except that she was
cut deeper than you could have known"
Lougee expressed the belief that it will
be impracticable to raise the ahip, but
that the splendid battery, personal ef-
fects, &c., can be saved if the govern
ment sees proper
By this survey the testimony Of the
living is verified, and the memory Of the
dead without stain, for the position Of