Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-11-30
A DIVERS DRESS.
Weighs Nearly Two Hundred Pounds .
and IL Very Com pIicated.


and IL Very Complicated.
"Under the Sea" is an article about
iivers in ST. Nicholas. 1t is written by
James Cassidy, who says: The dress c.
a fully equipped diver weighs in round
numbers, one hundred and seventy
pounds. Taking or his everyday garb.
the diver pulls on his thick undercloth-
lng-a white knitted sweater and trou-
sers and a 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 tie
water.
The woolen clothing donned, the next
garment ls the diving-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 go over the breast
plate and form watertight 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 the outer collar twelve holes
are bored for securing the breastplate.
outer edge is of brass, and has twelve
screws firmly fitted to 1t 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 its rubber
collar, with the aid of the breastplate-
hange and wing-nuts. The upper edge
of the breastplate Is fitted with neck
ring and a segemental screw. The use
Of this We shall 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 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,
breastplate, aud 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 breastpIate, Is
OF timed copper, and 10 itfed with a
segment DayUnet-screw at the neck.
corresponding to that mentioned as be-
longing to the breastplate. The eighth
of 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 a round one In
front. The front can be unscrewed to
~hesOAS s1S 0A'SA W 6ANO oAuoio WILL
out removing any other portion Of the
dress. An outlet-valve is provided at
the side or back Of the helmet, which
the diver can close should he wish to
rise to the surface. This valve allows
the brearhed air to escape, yet pre-
-ents the entrance Of water.
At the side Of the front glass Is a me
chanical arrangement for getting rid Of
the excess Of air. and 1t also assists,
when the back outlet-valve Is closed,
In regulating the expansion Of the dress
In rising to the surface. There Is also
an inlet-valve, and this is constructed
so as to allow the air to enter, but not
to escape In case Of break in the air
pipe. The air-pipe is made in lengths
of from forty-f1ve to sixty feet, fitted
together by means Of gun-metal Joints.
Securely connected with the helmet by
means Of the inlet-valve and an elbow
tube, the other end Of the air-pipe Is
fitted ON to the nozzle Of the air-deliver-
ing diving-pump.
His leather belt is buckled on; his
knife, well sharpened, and Of good,
strong steel, covered with a metal case
to keep 1t dry and intact, Is slung upon
1t; and after taking q drink, or a little
light refreshment, the word Is given,
"All right" the face-glass screwed on,
and receiving tap on the helmet as a
signal to descend, down he goes by rope
or ladder, either of which must be
weighted at the bottom.