Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1875-01-30

haul me up again were fastened on the
india-rubber tube, through which was to
be supplied with air, was adjusted, and |
stood listening to my final instructions be-
fore being put overheard.
Now dear boy said my old friend and
instructor, Lott, the famous deep-sea diver
who came forward TO close the little glass
window in my helmet take good care Of
yourself and don't stay long below. The
currents are strong about here; and keep
an eye to your ropes, or they'll get tang
led. Now, then, good-by, old fellow and
smile he closed the glass door before my
eyes, and fastened over it the protecting
wire netting.
"They bore me up in their arms to the
side of the float, where the hungry waves
were leaping up, as though greedily open.
ing their foaming frothy jaws to receive
me.
81 dropped into the waves with a
splash, sinking swiftly down through the
brilliant sunlit waves, which, though rough
and boisterous at the surface, suddenly
grew calm as passed below. l glanced
up at the sun, which appeared as great
ball of fire, but growing smaller and small
er as | sank lower, it finally seemed like a
tiny red spark of q candle, and then faded
from sight. | noticed that the waters
were lit by pale greenish haze much like
the effect of moonlight IN light, drifting
fog but the observations were cut short
by my realizing that was at the bottom,
and locking below, found myself over a
bank of tall, thick sea-weed
knowing that if were once entangled
in them they would hold me there forever
pulled the signaf-rope violently, and my
descent was checked just as my feet touch
| ed the treacherous grasses. The tide bore
me slowly along and passed them, turning
me around again and again in the eddies,
| and making my head so giddy that was
heartily glad when cleared the bank and
stood at last upon the bright sandy bottom
The shells anu gravel on the bed of the
waters were most delicate and beautiful in
formation; and exquisite in design, but so
tender that even shells crumbled at my
| touch.
" hurried on with the current until
saw before me what judged to be the
great wooden walls of the Conqueror, but
on nearing it found it to be reef oil
rocks, fancifully honey -combed from end
to end, and in snd out among the little
arched halls of these fern-covered chamb-
ers the fish were chasing each ether play.
fully or hanging idly in the waters.
Passing around these rocks, came
upon mass of tangled rigging and few
steps further brought me to the man-of
war half buried here she lay, in the
drifting sand, her spars and top-m asst.
crushed and splintered upon her decks hel
sails and rigging hanging over the side
| and resting Spon the broken bulwarks.
Great caution was necessary lest !
should become entaHgled among the
ropes or caught under the shifting timbers
and making my way slowly to the CON-
panion way, sent up the signal
"2-'-' a. C. 'I am about to
enter the vessel = ! shall be in danger
Play out rope freely and give me plenty
of air."
60 made my way to the lower deck, and
| found myself in the forward cabin. 1t was
very dark, md CROPPED about the door
way, knowing that once in the main sa-
loon, the deck-lights would enable me to
see more distinctly.
Clearing The rubbish and drifting sand
from about the doorway, burst it open,
and was about TO enter, when paused, to
summon courage before entering. A mo-
ment, and my nervousness was over; put
my shoulder to the door, showed it back
against the waters, and resolutely entered,
! An awful silence was upon every things
silence as of death was alone, at the
bottom of the sea, In the saloon OF the
Couqueror, and close about me were men
ostured, like grim sentinels set 70 to watch
me in my work, the officers and crew Of
two hundred ?
Yes, there were The Inflated men, when
death over took them on that awful night
when they were hurried from their berths
on the alarm that they were sinking. Be-
fore they could reach the stairway, the
mighty water had rushed in upon them,
and they died where it had met them, at
the threshold,
"The eddying waters carried them here
and there through the cabin, but still, so
close were they one tc another, that had
to part them now and then to reach the
after part of the cabin, and more than one
turned, as | slowly passed along and fol-
| lowed in the wake made behind me-
Their faces were often close against my
helmet, and it Mortified me to notice that
they all wore still upon their features the
impression of terror that had come upon
them in death.
You must mt think me heartless if j
say | went at once to my work, for we
divers constantly go through such
| scenes ; and knew we'll enough, be.
fore | went down, that they were await
| ing me there. / felt it as keenly as you
! would, sir J; but was sent down to do
/ 4 Lc1 - b. H..
it at once. Stiil, Twas glad enough
when Istood again on deck, ready tc
go above with my first report, and ]
gave good strong pull on my signal
rope.
"a moment passed, and was terri
fed at receiving no response from a Sc
cond or third signal
"Ipulled the rope again violently
waited-still no reply