Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-07-06
CAPTAIN LIZ CATO IN DIVING DRESS.

CAPTAIN LIZ CATO IN DIVING DRESS
Cato did, but no response came. Instead
he noticed the air was being supplied in q
ierky manner.
Turning his electric lantern on, he com
menced to grope his way back to the hatch
way, inspecting his hose as he went. The
latter, aided by his timed copper helmet,
acts as sort of submarine telephone and
soon conveyed to his ear q grating sound.
II required all his faculties to control him.
self, for he knew only tc. we'll that death
overtakes the diver attacked with fright.
The supply of air was coming weaker
and weaker and finally shut off altogether.
Had this occurred in deeper water, the
result would have been quick death, but
fortunately the captain was in only 90 feet
Of water. where the pressure Is but 81
pounds to the square inch-comparatiyely
light
With rare presence Of mind the captain
reached to the back Of his helmet and shut
Oh the outlet valve, thereby combining all
the air within the armor, which was suffi-
cient to sustain life several minutes
No escape seemed possible, and yet he
planned. He piled the signal rope repeat.
edly, occasionally lying down to circulate
the air within the armcr.
The throbbing of his brain, which grew
louder each moment, he heard as distinct
~ as the wash of the waters over the YES
sells frame. The fish which passed and
repassed grew larger and larger, and he
could distinctly feel his veins and arteries
bullying forth from his flesh. He realized
now he was su1focating, but what could
he dor Release his helmetf He would
drown.
Frantically he tugged at the line.
He grasped the life line and drew him
self to the hatchway, and Just as he
reached 1t he felt q draft. What happened
next he cannot tell. He woke up ON the
deck with the inquiring eyes of his crew
bent upon him, several Of them showing
marks Of . conflict, and all but the mate
having an abjeet look. Captain LIE Cato
quickly revived, and when thoroughly
strong doffed his armor and asked his
mate for an explanation.
The latter, J. NJ. White by name, stat
ed that the captain had barely sunk be-
meath the waves when q seaman opened
one ef the cosks Of wine saved from the
wreck and taking Understanding Les
filled 1t to the brim and made despef-
ate effort to get outside of the contents. It
did not take long for the wine to act, and
soon crazy seaman was running about
tAl6 QcCk6.
Mate White attempted to quiet him, but
bis kindly offices were met with q savage
attack from the drunken. man, who drew
q sheath knife and rushed at him. The
officer grabbed handy barrel stase and,
swinging it about his head, brought it
down on the sailor, dropping him to the
deck.
instantly there was pandemonium. The
whole crew rOee up in revolt and soon q
Tree light ensued. The men at the pumps
forgot the captain below and Joined in.
They ny the fight only lasted . couple Of
minutes when some one shouted, "The
captainT and, brought to their senses, they
again went to the pumps and lowered the
cage, ono man going down expecting to
bring up . dead body.
Captain LIE Cato, aft@ hearing the story,
hailed the sloop- Dreadnaught, Captain
Sam Higbee, which was oloee At hand. a.
AHea tho satirs @sW, except the 80
aboard - lisphnsuA them.