Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-24
local AMI State Mems.
A Diver In the Kcnnebee,


van. was secured. He came to the city with
M. s. Tower, who had the management of
matters on board of the barge from which the
diving was made. These two gentlemen are
in the employ of NJ. b. Tower of Boston,
General Agent for the New York and Boston
Board of Underwriters. Yesterday a thor
ough search was made of the river for several
rods from the western shore and from the
place where Mr.. Harrington sank to point
in the river at the foot OF Young's boom.
The curious spectacle of a diver in the
waters of the Kennebec and the new hope
awakened that possibly the coveted treasure
might now be brought to light, drew together
large number of people, lining the rivers
banks and appearing at the windows of the
buildings in the vicinity.
The majority of our citizens saw yesterday
F for the first time person dressed in armor
Tor the purpose of explorations under the
water. The aquatic armor formerly consisted
of a leathern dress, to protect the diver from
the water, and helmet AS far back as l72l
the diver was allowed to go out from his div
ing bell, which was then provided and walk
about for some distance. In this case he was
to be provided with a water proof dress and
helmet with glass front to cover his head,
which was to be supplied with air by means of
a tube from the diving bell. But the modern
diving dress, like the one worn by the diver
yesterday, is somewhat different from this.
This modern diving dress consists of hell
met OF thin sheet copper which covers the
head Of the diver, large enough to admit of
free motion, and furnished with three eye
holes covered with plate glass protected by
brass wires, one in the center and one on each
bide. The helmet comes down over the head
and is fastened to lead shoulder piece which
$ also securely fastened to suit which
covers the entire body to the neck,
made of India rubber cloth. This suit is
fitted SO tightly at the wrists and elsewhere
hat no water can penetrate it. The shoes
pre- of leather with lead soles, weighing Is
pounds each. Leaden weights are on the
breast and between the shoulder. The entire
weight of the armor when all arranged for
diving is $50 pounds The hands are left
bare. The diver when under water is sup
piled with fresh air by means of flexible
waterproof pipe, which enters the helmet and
communicates with an air pump wrought
hbove from the barge from which the diver
iescends. This pipe passes under the left
Irm of the diver, and enters the back of the
helmet. Through this pipe the air passes and
;poi Ia
IF the helmet coming for the use Of the diver
p steady current. The pipe is so contrived
hat the fresh air is made to impinge on the
lasses, which in great measure prevents
heir being dimmed by the moisture of the
lreath. From the back of the helmet and
ust below where the supply pipe enters, there
an educ'ion pipe, to allow the escape of the
,reathed air. On the outside this pipe has
cry much the appearance Of pepper-box.
is regulated by spring, and when there is
certain amount of air on the inside of the
clmet part escapes through the valve. 1t
we'll known that air is compressble and d-
Finishes in bulk in proportion to the pressure,
that at the depth Of about SO feet in water
would occupy but half the space filled at
he surface. A considerable quantity of air has
be pumped in before the descent. After
he descent the air must be pumped contia-
ally to supply respiration. The pump used
y those operating yesterday was built in Lon
on and cost $500. 10 has three plungers or
FLINDERS, and is worked by two men. The
liver has communication with those managing
fairs above water by pulling on the rope
bout his body and the air supply tube. By
arning on his back the driver can close the es-
ape valve and initiate his rubber suit enabling
i'm to rise to the surface and float This is
one when examining the bottoms of vessels.
When he desires to sink he lifts the rubber
round his wrist and allows the air to escape.
lie descends to his work from the side of the
arge by means of ladder with weights at
ne bottom. The attendants on deck hold in
peir hands the air cord and signal rope, and
agulate their length as the diver makes his
explorations. On going down the diver en-
eriences sensation as though his ears were
bursting out. This is overcome by swallow
pg. He experiences no particular sensation
coming 10 the surface. When at the bot
,m in salt water, he can see at a distance of
, or 10 feet. In the water of the Kennebec
it now is he can see but about foot
The first dive yesterday was made about
alf-past eight o'clock in the place where
r. Harrington went down. The diver was
,wn minutes and found the current so swift
at he could scarcely gain foothold, and
as compelled to crawl upon his hands and
ices. He found a gravelly bottom, and was
pnident that it was impossible for the body
remain there. On the second trial he was
Dwn 10 minutes, and brought up a graphing
pm which had been lost; the third time 81
inutes; the fourth time, 26 minutes, bri G.
,g up grapple, (the longest time down dur
g the forenoon; fifth time, 90 minutes;
sth time, 20 minutes; seventh and last time
minutes. During this time the barge
owed slowly down the river, and when the