The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-11-25
a DIVERS DRESS.
Weighs Nearly Two Hundred Pounds
and Is Very Com p1icated.

DIVERS DRESS.
Weighs Nearly Two Hundred Pounds
and Is Very Com p1icated.
Under the Sea" is an article about
| divers in st. Nicholas. 1t is written by
James Cassidy, who says: The dress of
fully equipped diver weighs In round
numbers, one hundred and seventy
pounds. Taking off his everyday garb,
the diver pulls on his thick undercloth-
ing-a white knitted sweater and trou-
sers and pair Of ribbed stockings.
also white. Should he intend to work
in unusually deep water, he puts on
two, sometimes three, sets of under
clothing. to relieve the pressure Of the
water.
The woolen clothing donned, the next
garment is the div!ng-dress, measur-
ing, for a man of average height, five
feet five inches from the collar to the
sole of the foot. This dress is made Of
solid sheet india-rubber, covered on
both sides with tanned twill. 1t has a
double collar, the inner one to pull up
round the neck, and the outer one, Of
red india-rubber, to so over the breast
plate and form water-tight Joint. The
cuffs also are of red india-rubber, and
fit tightly round the wrists, making,
when secured by the vulcanized india
rubber rings water-tight joints, at the
same time leaving the divers hands
free. In tie outer collar twelve holes
are bored for securing the breastplate.
This Is made OF timed copper. The
outer edge is OF brass, and has twelve
screws firmly fitted to it at intervals,
and projecting upward. These projec-
tions pass through the corresponding
holes in the outer collar of the dress.
The band of the breastplate is in four
sections, and the holes in the sections
pass over the projecting screws, and
are secured In place by wing-nuts or
thumb screws. A little careful consid-
GRAFTON will make 1t clear that the
dress Is held In position by it's rubber
collar, with the aid of the breastplate-
fange and wing-nuts. The upper edge
of the breastplate is fitted with neck
ring and segemental screw. The use
of this we shan presently explain.
The boots are of stout leather, with
leaden soles, and are secured over the
instep by buckles and straps. The pair
weighs thlrty-two pounds-four pounds
over the quarter Of hundredweight.
The lead soles are firmly attached by
copper rivets. The tongues of the boots
are very wide. Boots intended for
rough work are fitted with metal toe
caps. Thus Misunderstanding, dress,
breastplate, and boots-is our diver ar
rayed. He has now to be Weighted
Lead weights Of forty pounds each.
shield or heart shaped, are suspended
back and front by means of gun-metal
clips, and studs or tabs, and lashings.
He has now only to put on his helmet
and to affix the air-pipe.
The helmet, like the breastplate, is
Of timed copper, and Is fitted with
segment bayonet-screw at the neck,
to that mentioned as be-
onging to the breastplate. The eighth |
Of a turn, and the helmet Is firmly Sc
cured, being both air and water tight. |
1t has three strong plate-glasses in |
BRASS frames, protected by guards, two !
oval at the sides, and round one In |
front. The front can be unscrewed to
enable the diver to give orders with
'ut removing any other portion of the |
lress. An outlet-valye is provided at |
the side or back of the helmet, which
he diver can close should he wish to
Use to the surface. This valve allows /
he breathed air to escape, yet pre-
rents the entrance Of water.
Ar tho side nf tho rrla ee l., r. ~
,hanical arrangement for getting rid of |
he excess of air, and it also assists;
when the back outlet-yalve is closed,
Il regulating the expansion Of the dress
n rising to the surface. There is also
IN inlet-valye, and this is constructed
10 as to allow the air to enter, but not
o escape in case of a break in the air.
,ipe. The air-pipe Is made in lengths
# from forty-fve to sixty feet, fitted
ogether by means of gun-metal joints.
connected with the helmet by
means of the fnlet-valve and an elbow
ube, the other end Of the air-pipe Is
TIED on to the nozzle of the air-deliyer-
ng diving-pump.
His leather belt Is buckled on; his
,nife, well sharpened, and of good,
trong steel, covered with metal case
D keep it dry and intact, is sIung upon
t; and after taking a drink, or little
ight refreshment, the word Is given,
All right" the face-glass screwed on,
nd receiving tap on the helmet as
ignal to descend, down he goes by rope
r ladder. either of which must be
Weighted at the bottom.