The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-08-23
DIVER GOES
250 FEET DEEP
IN THE SOUND

New York. Aug. 23.-Encased In ponder
Gus armor. a diver plunged 30 feet below
the surface of Long Island sound yester-
day. depth never before reached by
man.
The achievement is believed to revolu-
tionize deep sea diving. and to open the
way for the recovery OF wrecked treasure
ships hitherto unattainabl
AS an immediate result OF the expert
ment. an expedition is TO be sent within
few weeks to Venezuela TO get the So.
100000 In gold and jewels aboard the Ill
starred san Pedro de Aloantara. This
ship. which sank in 1916, still lies in the
harbor OF Cumans.
The plunge was made from a scow
about six miles of Eaton point by o. f..
Candy, who for four years had been chief
machinist OF the submarine boat Shark.
At the gfeatest-depth,- diver con-
versed with reporter above by means
Of telephone. told how light and airy
he felt In his 540-pound suit. and jokingly
added he was so comfortably cool that
he would like to remain down the rest OF
the summer.
The costume In which the diver per-
formed this astounding feat consisted OF
thick iron OF the strength OF locomotive
boiler. Unlike the ordinary diving cos
tune, however. Il was built to Withstand
the tremendous pressure OF the water OF
It's own strength. instead OF relying upon
air pressure from pumps.
When all was ready. Enos p. Petrie,
the inventor OF the diving suit. and Will
structed II, helped Candy TO crawl into
the body OF the costume, and bolted on
the hundred-podnd shoes.
The arms were then riveted fast, and.
last OF all. the talon-hngered hands were
fastened on. While the costume was be-
ing put together Candy lay helpless on
his back.
a rope was fastened about the ungainly
heap OF metal and II was hoisted to an
upright position.
The diver was swung over the side Of
the barge and dropped into the sea. Just
after plunging below the surface. he said
1T was like Turkish bath in here when
they shut up the helmet. Now it's re-
freshingly COOL"
GETS DARKER AT so FEET
You're down 80 feet now" said the re-
porter.
It's getting darker" responded the
voice over the wire Above there Is
glimmering glow. and before my eyes float
phosphorescent objects. Just what they
are I can't tell
The diver then complained that water
had leaked In until IL reached his thighs.
whereupon F. Giovionnaoni, an electrical
instructed that the compressed air pump
in the divin gsuit be operated faster so
as to drain II dry. moment later Gan
dy said the water had all been drawn of
Bottom was reached at a depth OF
230 feet In five minutes For ten min
utes. he walked about the Shiny bot
tom OF the sound.
When ] was told had descended
$50 feet" he said. everything be-
came dark. At THE bottom here. II
Is as black as night. except for phos-
.phorescent floating things. / feel so
Tight that the least spring carries me
Off my feet"
Mr.. Petrie explained that the search
light with which the suit Is equipped
could not be operated for. lack OF cleo
tricity. With these lights. he said.
the diver would be able to see objects
at least ten feet away
This man has gone more than twice
as deep as the ordinary diver" said
Mr.. Petrie.
AT 23O feet the pressure is about 1lO
| pounds to the square inch. or nearly eight
atmospheres. This suit is so strong I am
certain IL could go down still another lOo
| feet"
This test will doubtless lead to the re-
| covery OF the treasure OF the San Pedro
resentative OF the Venezuelan eovern-
ment. who witnessed the divers plunge.
| Il have been promised concession
from Governor Castro to work on the
! wreck"
Candy wore broad smile when the
face OF his helmet was removed after he
| had been hauled out.
| THE bottom OF Long Island Sound J.
| the best summer resort have struck
| yet" he said as he crawled out.