Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-05-06
The Lost Oneida-Divcrs at Work A
Thrilling Incident ofthe Days Labor.

The Lost Onetda-Divcrs at Work "A
Thrilling Incident ofthe Days Labor.
After The usual preparations had been
concluded, and by soundingit had been
ascertained that the deck OF the Oneida
was l03 feet beneath tho surface Of the
bay after every caution had been given
10 eight strong sailors To keep the air
pump constantly in motion, and allow
not an instant time OF stoppage to occur.
rs thereby depended the life of the bold
diver; after Charley Lougee had been
helmetcd. and shut from air, except that
supplied through the slender tube of the
coiled rubber, with Il lifc.li around his
body. and leaden clogs to his feet. with
Good bye" and God bless you" from
all aboard, he was dropped over the side
and slowly disappeared in the blue waves
while nervous tremor shot through our
frames as we realized the fearful risk TAX
en- by that man who WAS seeking for truth
in over 100 feet of water. Away TO lee
ward. borne by tide and wind. came
floating bubbles to the surface--litc sig.
nails from below. The men ~ the pump
labored manfully. bat becoming fatigncd
attempted to change for fresh hands, AMI
there WAS 4 stop. Great God you will
murder my brother. Quick! for llcav-
ems sake, quirA - And Is the men re-
commenced the revolutions of the air
pump. the elder Louyee, with blanched
face and trembling lip, gave signal on
the lifeline below. For an instant there
came 10 response, and the face OF that
brother seemed turned 10 marble; but
when We saw the quick motions from the
submarine station, and knew it was the
welcome signal of "all right" and then
Lourrc turned to the men Mt the wheel,
who came so near sending both below,
end simply said: my brothers life
depends upon your efforts in keeping
that pump constantly in moLion-stop
AGAIN at your poril.' The calm lace and
passionate eve told those men not to stop
again. AMI with Lieut. Tanner close by
they kept at work until stopped by orders
from Lougec. Meantime while we were
ON the deck of that "sand pam counting
the tedious moments which heightened
TO half an hour. Charley Lougec was
searching the Oneida at the tremendous
depth mentioned. At last came the SIG
nal for surface" and instantly the life :
line was put in motion; slowly came the
coiing hemp and rubber on deck, and nj
last, away in the deep blue waves. came
in sight the diver, shrowded and pano-
piled in weird garments. As he came to
the surface he reached Minister DeLong
asword and lacquercd box. and then
was his helmet looscd, and our party
crowded around 10 hear OF the gallant
ship. Among our party were many OF
the survivors of the Oneida /; among them
were Wm. Clowninshie!d, Capt. Clark,
Master Yates and DR.. James Suddar,
who were intensely excited 10 learn the
tidings.
Said the Diver: The water Tor the
first seventy feet was quite clear. as the
sun gave excellent light. and although
my supply of ar vas once choked Tor IN
instant. | reached the deck OF the ship
lust astern of the mizzen-mast and close
by the mess room hatch the tide was eb.
bing quite strong. and was compelled
to hold to the lines from the rigging to
keep from being swept forward. first
examined the side of the ship; she was
cut from the mizzen rigging(at IN angle
of about forty degrees) across the whole
stern of the ship, her timbcrs, far below
the water line, being crushed and broken
the captains cabin cut in TWO, the wheel
and steering gear all carried away, ana
in fact, the whole end OF the ship stove
in or GU. away The ship is heading
southwest and sits upright on the bot
tom, and is making sand slowly. l laid
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 armament cx-
cept one, are in place aft; but | did not
90 forward, as l was afraid Of entangle-
ment in the rigging."-Turning TO Crow
ninsheld, 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 imprac-
ticnbc to raise the ship, but says the
splendid battery, personal effects, &C..
can be saved if the government sees prop
er
By this survey the testimony OF the
living is verified and the memory Of the
dead without stain, for the position OF
the ship AS found and the positions OF
both the Oneida and Bombay, as testified
to bv the navigating officers, shows that
it was impossible for the captain of the
Bombay to have seen the red light OF The
Oneida. and that the order of ''Port your
helm," by Capt. Eyre was wrong, and
the "StarboarJ, hard, .starboard" of
Master Yates was right.-Japan Cor.
Sacramento Union.