Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-11-23
THE DIVERS STORY,

the name OF SIMON w CuNCf Ill print, anu
fewer still would know who the man was
should it be seen.
Divers, as a class, and in spite of all
the sale guards afforded them by modern
science, pass a most preCarious existence,
and each time a descent is made, be the
water deep or shallow, the practiccd diver
feels that perhaps his last glimpse Of sun,
sky and friends has been taken. Those Of
the most experience feel this the more
keenly.
One night while the snow drove like
hail against the only window in the house,
facing the sea, | found myself one of a
party of divers, wreckers and contractors
for such work.
| had asked many questions of the sew
eral takers forming the circle, as to the
life, incidents and dangers of the profession,
when Captain Stephen l., an old gray
beard among divers and such ilk, nudgcd
me, and whispered that if could get old
Simon Weaver into the talking humor my
desire for stirring incident would be fully
gratifed.
Cautiously approaching the subject Of
personal adventure under water, for Weaver
proved little shy, by few wcll-timed
questions, | succeeded in bringing him
OUT to my entire satisfaction
As write the words Of the old man, |
seem to see the earnest glance, the erect
figure, and the almost snow-white head
shaking and nodding as the memory Of his
exploits came before his mind.
Taking a fresh attitude in his chair, and
casting his eyes from one to the ether Of
us "boys," as he called the younger mem
bcrs Of the party, the old diver began.
Few of our officers on duty off Charles
ton in 1856 will forget when the news
came out to the wooden fleet that moni-
tor had been partially disabled, and that
until something could be done her situation
was extremely critical, She lay quite near
the batteries, and as though dlvining her
danger, their guns were plunging their
shot and shell against her with the fiercest
energy,
at was soon known that a diver would
be called into rcquisition to do the work
under water, while the guns Of Sumter
babe fair to demolish the whole ship in a
few hours.
"Being the most experienced of the div
ing corps on duty at that time, the Admiral
sent for me without delay, and laying the
difficulty before me, asked if | would I'M
dcrtakc the job. BY few judiciously put
questions | was soon placed in possession
Of all the facts, the work to be done, and
the results to be expected from success.
"Thc propeller of the vessel had been
fouled by some Of the numerous obstruc-
tons set atloat by the enemy, and not
wishing to endanger any other vessel in
the same manner, the Admiral desired to
send me alongside in steam picket boat
with my best diving gear and try to maze
a successful descent.
In due time we, that is, myself and
four more whom | could trust under all
peril, arrived at the place of operations.
And now, before going further with my
story, let me try to give an idea of the
situation, and its cause A vessel had
been sent in to reconnoiter and, if neces-
snry, to fire on the batteries to ascertain
their force and strength.
Proceeding cautiousl " until within q
few hundred yards Of Sumter, she had
unconsciously driftcd too close to the line
of distractions defending the entrance ia
the harbor, and in turning to come out
her propeller, as said before, had become
cntangled among ropes and chains. All
efforts to release the ship from her perilous
position had failed, hence the cal for
diver. Immediately on perceiving the
state of affairs, 10 hard task, the enemy
bad opened a fearful fire from all guns
within range on the single craft, and
seemed bent on her destruction before as
sistance could reach her.
The shot fell fast ard furious against
the iron of her turret and side armor
while the water on all sides fairly boiled
from the frequent shot striking Its surface
1T seemed a veritable iron hail
I" As our little picket boat approached
The scene Of conflict, the firing suddenly
ceased, and we were fortunate enough tc
get below with the apparatus before the
storm again burst over the trembling ship
The cause of this apparent kindness was
made known to us the following day by g
deserter from Fort Sumter.
As the picket steamer approached the
monitor the enemy imagined tuat message
from the Yankee commander was about tC
be received, looking to an armistice OF
surrender, so sIackcned fire. After wait
ing few moments, and the expected 1ae
of truce not making its appearance, The
enemy saw that somehow they had beer
outwtted, and the shower of shot anc
shell seemed to increase in ferceness AZ
they reopened fire,
"In short time I saw how matter,
stood, and succeeded in finding place OF
the lee side Of the turret, where, if thu
ship could be kept in one position, no sho
could reach me. Carefully lnstructing m,
men as to their duties, at length got my
ladder overheard on the safe side, and made
1t last in such a manner that should thu
wind change or rise during my absence
under water, my means Of escape SHOULD
not be entirely cut off Leading my ali
pipe up through the turret and out through
enc OF the ports, secured them to m,
helmet, and requested that all firing from
the ship be suspended during my absence
for experience had taught me the danger
of heavy discharge directly overhead Of
diver.
'"The position of the turret favored M,
request, and placing its back to the enemy
enabled me to use the gun port as I hay,
described. As my life would hang upon
thread at best, | made every arrangement
for safety that experience could suggest
even going myself into the engine-room
and enjoining upon the engineer of tn,
watch not tn allnw the engines to b,
started upon any consideration until my
return Rom the perilous undertaking, the
success OF failure Of which assured thc