The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-03-02
THE DIVERS STORY.


the name of Simon Weaver in print, and
fewer still would know who the man WAS
should it be seen.
Divers, as a class, and in spite of all
the safeguards afforded them by modern
science, pass most precarious existence,
and each time a descent is made, be the
water deep or shallow, the practiced 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
party of divers, wreckers and contractors
for such work
| had asked many questions of the sew
eral takers forming the circle as 10 the
life, incidents and dangers Of the profess
SION, when Captain Stephen L, an
old gray beard among divers and such ilk,
nudged me, and whispered that if could
get old Simon Weaver into the talking
humor, my desire for stirring incidents
would be fully gratified.
Cautiously approaching the subject of
personal adventure under water, for Wea
vcr proved little shy, by few well timed
questions, | succerdcd in "brinsing 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 fresh attitude in his chair,
and casting his eyes from one to the other
of us ''buys," as he called the younger
members 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 mon-
itor had been partially disabled, and that
until something could be done her situa>
tion was extremely critical. She lay quite
near the batteries, and, as though divining
her danger, their guns were plunging their
shot and shell az gainst her with the fercest
energy.
''It was soon known that diver would
DC e"N~I ;"tn rcGrisiiion to do the work
under water, while the guns Of Sumter
bade fir to demolish the whole ship in a
few hours
being the most experienced Of the
diving corps on duty at that time, the adj
miral sent for me without delay. and,
laying the difficulty before me, asked if l
would undertake the job. BY u le iu-
dciuusly put questions | was soon placed
in possession Of all The facts, the work to
be done, and the results to be expected
from success.
THE propeller of the vessel had been
fUuled by some Of The numerous obstruc-
tions set ailoat 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 make
successful descent.
sin 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 sit
uation, and its cause. a vessel had been
sent TO rCconnoiter, and, if necessary, to
fire on the batteries to ascertain theii force
and strength.
''Proceeding cautiously until within a
few hundred yards of Sumter, she had
unconsciousIy drifted too close to the line
of distractions defending the entrance TO
the harbor, and in turning to come out,
her propeller, as | said before, haG become
entangled in ropes and chains. All efforts
to release the ship from ber perilous posi~
ton had failed, hence the call for diver.
Immediately perceiviDg the state of affairs,
no hard task, the enemy had opened a
fearful fire from all guns within range on
the single craft, and seemed bent on her
destruction before assistance could reach
her.
"The shot fell fast and furious against
the iron of her turret and side armor, while
the water on all sides fairly boiled from
the frequent shot striking IFS surfacs. 1t
seemed veritable iron bail.