Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-09-05
Laying Cable Across the Maumee.

The Western Union Telegraph Company, un-
der the supervision Of Mr.. CHAs. o. BRIGHAM,
have just completed the laying Of a cable across
the Maumee River near the foot of Monroe
street.
The moeius opcrundi has attracted considcra-
BILE attention from those of practical turn OF
mind. LEvETT GROVER, Esq, of the firm of
JoSRs GROVER, fruit tree dealers, spent tile
greater portion Of Saturday last in examining
the operation, and furnishes US the following
descriptions
There are nine limos containing three wires
in each, all Of which were wound together with
small wire, making when complete one strong ,
massive cable. The cable was then laid from
two to four feet below the bed Of the river that
passing boats might not disturb it. To accom-
plish this a channel was first dredged as well
as could be, and then Capt. Geo. II. Breyman,
a subma rine diver, worked four days in compile
ting the channel where the dredge could not
work, at an expense Of $40 per day.
Breyman's submarine armor or suit cost s400
consisting Of the very best India rubber, with
nicely y-fted copper collar around the neck and
shoulders, to which the rubber is attached near
the neck with thumb-screws. The head is
covered with globe made of copper, having
glass sides and front which are screwed into the
globe or she'll and this globe is firmly screwed
to the collar with a ring OF rubber in the joint
similar TO those used in frui, jars. On the back
of the globe the hose is attached, by means of
which fresh air is supplied, and just below this
Is a short perforated tube through which the
foul air escapes. Heavy elastic rubber is used
at wrists and ankles. The soles Of his shoes
are iron plates, weighing twenty five pounds
ca ch also bar Of lead inches wide and a
inches thick, weighing 100 pounds, around the
body under the arms held by cords passing
over the shoulders The whole rig or suit
weighs 200 pounds, and over One-balf hour is
required to prepare his toilet ready for business
The pump which supplies fresh air is tribe
acting one, manufactured by Hale & Co., Of
Boston, and cost $500. Il has two heavy bal
ance wheels, which requires the constant work
of two men 10 operate it. The signal hne is fas-
tened around his waist. The last thing TO ad.
| just before commencing his work is the screw
ing In Of the G lass plate in front Of head gear
when the pump is started and down he goes
while his brother, lad OF 10 years, holds the
hose and signal line. The water is constantly
bubbling, caused by the escaping air, and
which is 10 feet deep where lie is at work. The
deeper the water the more laboritus the work
to pump air to him.
Being in the channel where boa is were fire.
quently passing, it was necessary to give the
diver warning when one was approaching,
which was done by suddenly jerking the signal
line three times, when ho would leave the chan
nei. aud after the boat passed, one jerk on the
line was the signal TO resume labor.
He informed me that there were no disagree
able sensations produced that his weights
were cumbrous and heavy above water, but un-
der water were just equal to the balancing OF
the water around and the air in his sui, said
his hands got quite numb in working two or
three hours, and noticed they looked very blue
aud considerably swollen when he came 10 tho
surface for implements with which to work.