New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-31
A DIVER sUFroCATED IN HIS HELMET.

A DIVER SUFFOCATED IN HIS HELMET.
JAMES W. JENKINS LOSES HIS LIFE IN SEARCHING
FOR THE ANCHOR OF THE SHIP BARBARossA.
The ship Barbarossa, from Bremen-Haven, while
coming up the harbor between Governors and
Elliss Islands, some weeks ago, was run into by
the outward bound steamer Italy, of the National
Line and was badly damaged. She also had her
anchor cut away. In New-York. as in other large
cities with harbors there exists class ofmen known
as grapplers. and their business is TO cruise the
harbor in small row-boats and drag for sunken
treasures. which on discovery are appropriated 10
their own use or are disposed of to claimants on the
payment of q fee. They are also frequently CHI
ployed to grapple for dead bodies
Since the collision between the Italy and the
Barbarossa took place several wster-side men have
been dragging the water in the vicinity of the acci
dent in search of the lost anchor A few days ago
crew of gTappleTs struck upon what was believed TO
be the missing object IN about eighty feet OF water
A contract was made by the officers OF the Barpa-
rosa which undergoing repairs at the dry DOCKS,
with Joseph Wethecal TO raise the ancnOT;
"Old Jack" Rearoon, water-slde man. was called
upon to assist in the work. James W. JENKINS, aa
experienced diver, was employed to 90 down ana
determine whether the object which had been
sounded was really an anchor. For this purpose ne
made descent on Tuesday evening, and reported
that it was an anchor aud very large one, too.
Arrangements then perfected to raise IL at the
slack tide early yesterday morning.
consisting of "Old Jack" ReaTdon, Pat" Con-
molly, Edward Neltcutt and Joseph Wetherall,
with Jenkins the DIVER and his attendant, Hugh
Bogart. But " Old Jack" claims to have had pre-
sentiment of approaching trouble. lie was goOd
man. said he in speaking of the affair, and we
had worked together many and many day. |
looked at the hose and thought it was poor and L
warned HIM not TO go down, bat he didn't seem TO
mind it, Just as we was leaving the Battery says
TO him, saws |, jenkins, do you ever drinkP And
he SAYS No. saw he was determined to 90 down
SO we went on out 10 the spot"
jenkins was carefully dressed In his diving SUIT,
aud his helmet beng adjusted he descended, leav-
ing Bogart at tbe sir-pump, the two boats
as was proved by the amount OF the
signal rope and the hose which supplied him with
air. About five fathoms of the hose remained in
the boat. Suddenly the portion of the air hose
that was above water burst with loud report.
Bogart Immediately pressed his tW hands over the
the aperture to keep the air from escaping and tie
other men seized the rope and began TO pull with
all tner might.
At last jenkins was brought to the surface, one
hand clutching the tube and the other pulling at
the helmet in his desperate struggle against suOca-
tion As quickly as possible the helmet was re-
moved when ii was found to be nearly filed with
blood which was gushing from the divers mouth,
eyes, ears and nostrlS. His features were horribly
distorted, bis muscles twitched, and his entire
frame was cOnvulsed. All efforts possible were
made TO revive him, but III less than minute after
he was drawn INTO the boat all motion ceased, and
he was dead. His companions returned with MN
TO Pier l. North River, and the body was subse-
quently taken TO his home IN West FOuTteenth-St.
Jenkins was about forty years of age, and one OF
the most expert divers IN the city.