The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-11-24
UNDER THE DEEP SEA
HOW THE HEAVILY LADEN DIVER
GOES ABOUT HIS WORK

HE Dress Weighs Nearly Two Hss-
dveA Pounds and II = Very Cempli-
Gated Aaair-Thc signalmas uelas
the Div~r's Life In His Handa.
The dress Of fully equipped diver
weighs. in round numbers. 10 pounds
Taking of his everyday garb. the diver
pulls on his thick underc,othing-a
white knitted sweater and trousers and
a pair of ribbed stockings also white.
Should be intend TO work in unusually
deep water, he puts on two, sometimes
three. sets Of Undertaking. to relieve
the pressure of the water.
The wooden clothing donnesi, the next
garment is the diving dress. measuring |
for a man of average height feet 3
inches from the collar TO the sole Of tho |
foot. This dress is made of solid sheet |
india rubber, covered on both sides with |
tanned twill. 1t has double collar, the |
inner one to pull up round the neck, |
and the outer one, Of red india rubber. |
to go over the breastplate and form a
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, wa
ter tight joints, at the same time leav-
ing the divers hands free. In the outer
collar IL holes are bored for securing
the breastplate. This is made of timed
copper. The outer edge is of brass and
has IL screws firmly fitted to it at in
tervals and projecting upward. These
projections pass through the correspond
ing holes i'll the outer collar of the dress.
The band of the breastplate is in four
sections, and the holes in the sections
pass over the protecting screws and are
secured in place by wing nuts or thumb
screws. a little careful consideration
will make it clear that tho dress is held
in position by its rubber collar. with
| the aid of the breastplate flange and
wing nuts.
The upper edge of tho breastplate is
fitted with neck ring and a segmental
screw. The use of this we shall present
| ly explain.
The boots are of stout leather. with
leaden soles, and are secured over the
instep by buckles and straps. The pair
weighs 80 pounds-four pounds over
the quarter of a 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, breast
plate and boots-is our diver arrayed.
He has now to be weighted. Lead
weights of 40 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 a
segment bayonet screw at the neck, cor
responding to that mentioned as belong.
ing to the breastplate. The eighth of q
turn, and the helmet is firmly secured,
being both air and water tight. 1t ha:
three strong plate glasses in bras.
frames, protected by guards, two ova
at the sides and round one in front
The front can be unscrewed to enable
the diver to give orders without remov
ing any other portion of the dress. Al
outlet valve is provided at the side o.
back of the helmet, which the dive
can close should he wish to rise to tn
surface. This valve allows the breathet
: air to escape, yet prevents the entrance
Of water
At the side of the front glass is
mechanical arrangement for getting ri'
of the excess of air, and it also assist
. when the back outlet valve is closed il
l regulating the expansion Of the dres
in rising to the surface. There is ais
$ an inlet valve, and this is constructe
i SO as to allow the air to enter, but nc
to escape, i'll case of a break in the al
pipe. The air pipe is made in lengths G
: from As to 60 feet, fitted together b
s means of gun metal joints. Secured
: connected with the helmet by means {
Q the inlet valve and an elbow tube, tn
+ other end of the air pipe is fitted on t
q the nozzle of the air delivering divin
pump.
Il His leather belt is buckled on, hi
J. knife, we'll sharpened and of stron
IL steel, covered with metal case to kee
9 it dry and intact, is slung upon it, an
II after taking a drink, or little ligl
II refreshment, the word is given, "a
l. right" the face glass screwed on, an
e receiving tap on the helmet as sil
% nal to descend down he goes by rope
q ladder, either Of which must be weigh
y ed at the bottom.
)5 Each diver while under water r
n -quires signalman to hold his life lii
Is Chat is, the line fastened round b
le waist by which he is hauled up and II
IS air pipe, both of which should be Ike
a just taut, so that any movements of Il
N diver may be felt. The signalman
g, of the utmost Importance to the dive
IN Indeed. to use the words of a div
with whom we recently talked. he
lg his life. He must exercise the utmo
ID vigilance all the time that the diver
a. down. Should the attendant give O
pull on the life line it signifies, ''Hc
in are you getting on?" If al! is we'll, t
at diver gives an answering pull to
a. assure those above. Two pulls ON t
70 air pipe given by the diver mean "mo
air" pump faster), and SO on throug
ed out the code of signals.
1T In addition to the signal code mode
er invention has adapted and utilized t
~ telephone, and speaking apparat
at for men working at a depth of 60 fl
rs or more is frequently used. The elect
fe. | light also is now employed by div,
:" working at depth beyond 20 feet.
James Cassidy in st. Nicholas.