The daily gazette., 1875-06-09
The Nesc Lffe-SavinO Suit.
rxHIBIrIoN BEFORE OCEAN PASSENGERS
OF AN APPARATUS FOR SUSTAINING

rxHIBrTIoN BEFORE OCEAN rAssENokhs
OF AN APPARATUS FOR SUSTAINING |
LTE IN THE WATER.
Captain ]. Il. Stoner gave on Sltur- |
day an exhibition of the practical work |
ing Of a life-saving apparatus, OF which
he claims to be the inventor. The ap-
paratus consists of a complete suit OF
India rubber made in one piece, hitting
tightly at the wrists SO as to exclude the
water, and having tight-ttting hood
Over the rubber suit is q jacket or belt
consisting of twelve air chambers, each
about half the size OF an ordinary SWIM
ming belt.
ANY two Of these would bo sufficient
to sustain the weight OF person in thu
water. Another air tube is attached be-
hind the head, which the swimmer cal
initiate at pleasure, so as to form pil.
low. Two iron weights of five pounds
each fit upon the feet over the instep
These cause the body to maintain per
pendicular position in the water. Th'
suit can not be put ON in less than two
minutes, and keeps the body dry ano
warm. Distinct from the suit there is
simple contrivunce for carrying a Hat
staff, tire-rockets, provisions, news-pa-
pers, books, drink, or anything else re-
quired. This consists OF q rubber tuoy
the centre of which is an iron tube
which always keeps a straight position
in the water, and in which the flagstaff
Is placed. To this float is attached the
bag Tor provisions or other articles. The
bag might be made large enough to hold
| food for several weeks, If necessary,
without any practical Inconvenience TO
the swimmer The steamer Gernantc,
| OF the White Star Line. which sailed for
Queenstown on Saturday afternoon, took
100 Of these suits on board, the comrany
/ which makes the suits sending person
to instruct the passenger in their use,
and to let them for the voyage to those
VINO might desire them.
Captain Stoner and several oompan-
ions went out in O small tug distance
Of ten miles to give the passengers OF
/. the Germnnic an exhibition OF the prac-
tical operations of the life-preserver.
Mr.. Stratton first put on a suit. This
was done in q minute and half, and he
plunged into the water as the Cfty OF
Chester, of the Inman Line, with the
American Rife Team on board. came up.
At this jNncture an incident occurred
which caused much amusement. The
yacht Comet, Captain Langley, was ap'
proaching, and the man on the lookout
seeing Mr.. Stratton houndering in tht
water, shouted, "a man overheard! !!
The life-hoat was instantly lowered, ane
Captain Langley, with two others, row
cd rapidly in the direction Of the sup
posed drowning man. Mr.. Stratton in
fated his pillow, lighted his cigar, drew
copy of tho Tribune from his valise
and began to read eomposedly on th'
crest Of the waves.
Captain Stoner, Mrs. Moore and Mis-
Whitney afterwards put on their suit
and jumped overheard just as the Ger
a. manic came clearly in sight. Not one o
these could swim. Miss Whitney had
severe attack Of sea-sickness, but be
fore she hid been two minutes IN til
water she hal perfectly recovered. A.
inflated their pillows and aoated around
. the passengers on the Gernldnic gain
at them with interest as that vesse
, , passed. The exhibition of the apparatu
, was looked upon as entirely successful
With the apparatus there. are no pac
: dies for locomotion, but the swimme
I can easily attach these to his float if b
= wishes.-N. Y. Tribune.