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

deck, had arranged stout iron pipe as a
sheath, and discarded entirely the usual
signol-lnc.
GAN being in readiness, after personally
inspecting all of the apparatus, cautiously
made my way to the ladder and having
fixed my helmet firmly in its place, and
secured my kit of tools, hammer, saw,
chisels, etc, to the strong belt attached
for the purpose, began my slow descent
Fortunately, the water was quite clear
and free from mud, 50 had no difficulty
in seeing everything with perfect distinct
ness, Gradually nearing the bottom, for
the depth OF water exceeded the draught
of vessels of less than four feet, became
aware Of quite strong current setting me
against the ship, which, while lesscning
my fear Of being swept out Of reach of my
ladder, rendered working more difficult,
As usual, my progress was attended by
numbers of curious fish, and as | neared
the bottom one or two huge fellows passed
close by, but seemed intent on other prey,
leaving me in peace.
"0nCe or twice was somewhat startled
by heavy splash overhead, and dull
thld, followed by the rapid descent Of a
shot or shell within c'sy view, and as it
would settle into the soft, cozy bottom, a
tiny cloud of mud would for a moment
obscure it from view. felt constant
fear from seeing these oft-recuring clouds,
lest some of them might be the spluttering
lu2e OF an mcXplodcd shell.
Although an old hand at the diving
business, it had never before been my for
tune to operate in action, so | was not a
little anxious as You may imagine, as to
the effect of a shell exploding on the
bottom. was not long waiting, and found
out to my entire satisfaction, as | will
presently tell you.
"Wcll, at length reached bottom, and
slowly trod my way along the bends of
the ship to the na Of operations, the
disabled screw, sometimes stepping on
rusty shot, and once | nearly trippcd over
the stock of some old lust-worn mchor.
Being but fifteen or sixteen feet below the
surface, | had no difficulty in perccivmg
the trouble with the propeller, which was
this a piece Of chain attached to the
floating Instructions had become so wound
about the propcllcr-shaIt, between the
blades and ste n-post as to become per-
lectly rigid.
"My tools being prepared for just such
work, | began operations at once, and soon
had two or three Of the links. which were
quite small, severed, and as | afterward
learned, released the strain so suddenly
that the engines gave one quick, short,
partial revolution, 'on vacuum enc of
the engineers told me afterward, and one
of the blades striking my expiration tube,
threw me from my feet, AMI for moment
it seemed that my fate was sealed,
"The screw stopped as suddenly as it
had started, aud somehow | struggled to
MY feet again, Seeing ut few strokes
more were needed to complete my job, |
soon had the good oid.ship in fighting
trim again, so far at least as her propeller
was concerned
Being now at liberty to return, | eau
tiously retraccd my steps to where the
ladder hung idly swinging to and lro in
the water, and was about to mount to the
surface, when with a crash and roar of ten
thousand shots, a biz shell fell apparently
right over my head, and after what seemed
but the fraction Of a second, settled, as
thought, directly upon me, Passing but a
few Get distant, it had scare ly reached
the bottom when the very earth and sea
seemed shattered to atoms.
"The shell had exploded almost beside
me BY some means Il hooks provided
in the breast of my armor had become
fastened to a rung OF my ladder, else tins
tale had never been told. Stunned and
rackod as it was, the instinct OF sclf-pres-
crvatiCn urged re to attempt the ascent
Of my only road to safety, the ladder,
when, to my horror, the current began
swayng me back and forth in such man
ner that found it impossible to do aught
but hold on and trust to the chapter Of
ccidents for relief
Sin an instant after became aware OF
the current, duh, regular beat, united tc
a seeming trcmor Of the ship, convinced
me that the ship was under way, and
probably stcaming out to the fleet. A
glimpse or two at the bottom assured Inc
of this, for | could plainly see it gliding
past uttll the shoals dccpenel and nothing
could be seen underneath me but water
Imagine my situation, you youngsters who
think you have seen dangcr-towed to sea
under monitor!
"Ihe motion rapidly grew more violent
and had it not been for the hooks | have
spoken of, death would have been inevi
table, for my strength would not have
enabled me to retain my hold on the lad.
der, and should have drowned, my body
weighed down by armor beyond recovery.
"All of this time, in reality minutes
but seemingly hours, my faithful mel
within the turret chamber had not ceased
give ne a plentiful supply Of air, so my
only danger lay in being swept away
After what seemed miles of glound passed
over, and hours Of time, the beat of the
engine grew gradually slower, then stopped
and no sooner did | feel the pressure O
the current relax, than ! prepared to make
the best of way to the surface.
4" remember no more. A deadly faint
seized me, and for hours | lay without
life, vibrating between, this world and tho
one beyond, Returning senses revealed
my four men around me, on the wardroon
table, doing their utmost in my behalf
and only gave way to the surgeon when {
heavy groan and slowly opening eyes tolC
that my life was safe.
81 speedily recovered, and for the frs
time learned the details OF my great peri
and marvellous escape.
" Immediately on the strain being taker
off Of the propeller by the chains bein!
cut, the engines gave the quick partia
revolution which | have mentioned, ne
the engineer, as in duty bound, of course
reported thft the disability to the machin
cry being removed he was prepared to g
ahead at any moment.