The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-03-17

been constructed in water-tight COM
partments, and it was necessary to break
into the lower edge of each to allow the
water to flow evenly into them. Huge
beams and cross-ties formed q network
so close that the passage between barely
admitted the divers body. Through an
aperture the diver had crawled, tearing
off the casing and prosecuting his labors
until time to return to the surface. He
attempted to back out, but could not.
The armor about his head and shoulders,
acting like the barb of . hook, caught
him; he could go ahead but could not
retreat. In vain attempts to twist him.
self out he spent SO much time that the
men above began to be alarmed, and in
creased their work at the pump. This
swelled up his armor and increased the
difficulties and dangers of his position.
He signaled for the pump to stop. The
cock at the back of his helmet, to let the
air out, was beyond his reach. His only
chance was to open his dress round the
wrists. At this point he found himself
affected by breathing over the air in his
armor. The carbonized air made him
dreamy, creating an intense desire to
sleep. This he overcame by strong
effort of his will. His efforts to loosen
his dress succeeded, and with supreme
effort the diver escaped from his narrow
limits and was drawn to the surface,
dazed and only half-conscious of the
peril he had undergone.
sHADOwED BY A SHARK.
On another occasion a diver was at
work on the wreck ola Spanish man-of-
war in West Indian waters. The safe.
containing 100000 was the object
of the divers search. and after hours Of
patient labor the treasure was found.
While engaged in Stacking chains to
the cumbersome box, a dark shadow,
long and motionless, suddenly attracted
the attention of the operative. Glanc-
ing upward, he beheld a huge spotted
shark, the most dreaded of all species,
poised above and watching every move
ment. The diver thought no moro of
the treasure. but walking short dis
lance was on the point of giving the sig
nal to rise, when glance sufiiced that
to do SO would be sure death. The shark
had watched every movement, and with
a scarcely perceptible motion of his tail
o'ershadowed his victim with his huge
proportions. The diver, although terri
fed never for moment lost his presence
of mind. A layer of mud attracted his
attention, towards which he moved.
The shark silently glided through the
water, resuming his post, thrill of
horror running through the veins of the
operator. By means of an iron bar he
cat ~ xvox rvs<r<~,<~,,slxy otsrrsv,~p -, A.,
mud and ooze of the oceans bed. Thick
and fast it rose about and above him,
the clear, golden light disappeared, in
the midst of which the diver rapidly
assembled to the surface and was saved.
LOST TREASURE.
In 1880 the British man-of-war Hussal
was wrecked in He'll Gate, having on
board about $4,000, 900 in guineas. In
1894 an expedition was sent out from
England, and for two seasons attempted
to raise the wreck, but was forbidden to
work longer by the United States Gov
eminent. In 1919 another attempt was
made by an English company with
diving bell, but with no success. Since
then number of companies have or
ganized only to meet with failure.
Within the past five years new COM
pany has been at work. using the latest
submarine armor and appliances. A
sloop firmly anchored about hundred
yards from the New York side of the
East River, three-quarters of a mile
above Wards Island, is the company's
headquarters, and marks the spot where
the Hussar sank, with her bows point
spr ~ bo fDL< <7s-~sl<><l
into $4,000 shares of 800 each. CAN
non, cannon balls, manacles, gun flints,
silver plate and bones have been found.
One day brass box was brought to the
surface. 1t was full of jewels, with
necklace of brilliants. 1t was left for a
moment on the deck, and disappeared,
never to be seen on board again. A
lump of silver. made of various coins
agglomerated by the action of the water,
has been found, together with scatter
ing gold coins. But the main treasure
remains yet to be found.
NO DIVERS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY.
All the nayies in the world have
trained divers except the United States
service. A skillful diver commands too
high wages, to say nothing Of his cur
tailment in liberty of action, to enlist in
the Government service. In the French
service divers are regularly enlisted
men, selected lfor the duty from their
superior physical advantages. After
course of instruction they are compelled
to keep themselves in practice. In the
British service they are trained on board
the gunnery ships, and receive additional
pay above the regular wages allowed their
ratings. All ships commanded by Past
Captains are entitled to one, flagships
two. Officers are instructed at their own
request and are allowed additional COM
pensation. The French iron-plated ram
Taureau, had her bottom scraped and
cleaned Of seaweed, barnacles, etc., in
100 hours, at an expense of &8z,. while
an American man-of-war. the same size,
for the same service. would be COM
PEELED to dock at an expense of not less
than 200. Submarine diving is an
art a profession rpuuirinO crvvrooo IA