The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-03-22

bOttomlesS depth. An instance of cool
determination and courage in overcom-
ing unforeseen dangers occurred to a
diver who was engaged in the recovery
OF the dry dock at Pensacola It had
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 anetwork
so close that the passage between barely
admitted the divers body Through an
aperture the diver had erawfed, tearing
oil 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 60 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 a 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-eonscious of the
peril he had undergone.
sHADoWED BY-A SHARK.
On another occasion a diver was at
work on the wreck of Spanish man-of-
war in West Indian waters. The safe.
containing $3,000,000, was the object
OF the divers search, and after hours of
/ patient labor the treasure was found.
I While engaged in shackling chains to
the cumbersome box, dark shadow,
long and motionless, suddenly attracted
the attention of the operative. Glane-
ing upward, he beheld huge spotted
shark, the most dreaded of all species,
poised above and watching every move
ment. The diver thought no more of
the treasure, but walking short dis
tance was on the point of giving the sig
nal to rise, when glance sufliced that
to do so would be sure death. The shark
had watched every movement, and with
a scarcely perceptible motion of his tail
ershadowed his victim with his huge
proportions. The diver, although terri
fed never fora 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
set to work vigorously stirring up the
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 1870 the British man-of-war Hussar
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
ernment. lnFlS19 another attempt was
made by an English company with a
| diving bell, butwith 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 arnor and appliances. A
sloop firmly anchored about hundred
yards from the New York side of the
East River, three-quarters of mile
above Wards Island, is the company's
headquarters, and marks the spot where
the Hussar sank, with her bows point
ing to the north. The stock is divided
into AS, 900 shares of 800 each. Can
non, cannon balls, manacles, gun flints,
silver plate and bones have been found.
One day a brass box was brought to the
surface. 1t was full of jewels, with a
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 navies in the world have
/ OH1t6u CtttttS
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 tfor 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 ALI 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
1aureau, had her bottom seraped and
eleanedof seaweed, barnacles, etc.. in
l09 hours, at an expense of $S4, 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 81 POO. Submarine diving is an
| art, profession, requiring courage, de-
termination; and Judgment, without
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