The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1870-05-12
The Oneida. -Graphic Sketch o
~ the Descent Of Diver to
the Ill-Fated VeSSel.

The Oneida. Graphic Sketch of
80 the Descent of Diver to
the Ill-Fa.ed Vessel.
Correspondents from the sacramento Union.
On the oath day Of February the "bor-
rowed'' steamer Aroostook, with
Charles and J. S. Lougee, practical and
experienced divers from San Francisco
went 10 where the Oneida lies, in l23
feet of water. After the usual prepara-
tions had been concluded, and by sound
ing, it had been ascertained that the
deck of the Oneida was 103 feet beneath
the surface Of the bay; after every eau
ton had been given to eight strong
sailors to keep the air pumps in constant
motion, and allow not an instant OF
stoppage to occur, as thereby depended
| the life of the bold diver; after Charley
I.ougee had been helmeted and shut
from air except that supplied though
the slender tube of coiled rubber, with
life line 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
| frame as we realized the fearful rish
undertaken by that man who was seek
ing for truth in ever one hundred feet
of water. Away to leeward, borne by
tide and wind, came floating bubbles to
the surlace-life signals from below.
The men at the pump labored manfully,
but becoming fatigued, attempted to
change for fresh hands, and there was u
stop. "Great God! you will murder my
brother. Quick Tor heavens sake,
! quick! Aud as the men now com
menced the revolutions Of the air-pump,
the elder Lougee, with blanched face
and trembling lip gave signal on the
| life line below. For an instant there
was no response, and the face of that
brother seemed to turn to marble; but
then we saw two quick motions from
the sublime station, and knew it was the
welcome signal Of 'all right" and then
Lougee turned to the men at the wheel,
who came SO near sending death below,
and simple said, "nly only brothers. life
| depends upon your efforts in keeping
that pump constantly in motion-stop
again at you peril"
The calm face and passionate eye told
these nell not to stop again, and with
Lieutenant Tenner close by they kept
at work until stopped by orders from
Tongue. Meantime, while we were on
the deck of that ''sand-pan' counting
the tedious moments which heightened
to half an hour, Charley Longee was
searching the Oneida at the TREMENDOUS
depth mentioned. Aa last came the
signal for Surface" and instantly the
life line 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
came to the surface he reached Minister
De Long sword and 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 lneNl were w llllaiil NIo" oiil"
shield, Captain Clark, Master Yates
! and Dr. James SuddereI who were in
tenseIy excited to learn the tidings.
Said the diver The water for the first
10 feet was quite clear. as the sun gave
excellent light aud although nay 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 ehbing
quite strong, and l was compelled to
hold to lines from the rigging to Keep
from being swept forward. | first eX
amined the side of the ship; She was
cut from the mizzen rigging (at an angle
of about forty degrees) across the whole
stern of the ship; her timbers, far below
the water line, being crushed and brok
en-; the Captains cabin cut in two; the
wheel and steering gear all carried 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
OH 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 armament except one
are all in place aft; but did not go for
ward, as was afraid of entang lement
in the rigging.
Turning to Crowninsheld he said
"Your evidence, which read, describ
ed almost exactly the injury, except
that she was cut deeper than you could
have known
Lougee expressed the belief that il
will be impractible to raise the ship
but that the splendid battery, personal
effects, etc., can be saved if the Govern
ment sees proper.
+ BY this survey the testimony of the liv
ing is verified and the memory of tht
dead without a stain for the position 0
the ship as found, and the positions o
N. 4, ~,