The Washington herald., 1907-07-28
own Invention Nearly Costs
japanese His Life.
DIVING DEVICE FAILS TO WORK
TakaO Iwanamf Narrowly Escapes
AsPhyxiatiOn in Attempt 20 Dem
Onstrate superiority of New Sub
marine Apparatus-Dragg on
Board Puritan Ia Nick of Time.

almost paid with his life yesterday,
through his faith in a new submarine
diving apparatus. the product Of his own
brain. Iwanami had made elaborate prep
arati0ns for an exhibition OF his diving
suit on board the United States monitor
Puritan foot of Sixth street. end a large
number Of friends and some Of the Off
GERS and crew OF the war ship witnessed
the test which almost proved fatal
The improved apparatus, as it was
termed by its japanese inventor. in addi-
ton TO having all modern additions, con-
tained a telephone attachment, which en-
abled the diver to communicate with par
ties above the water II also had an cleo
tric light attachment. consisting of two
hOrn-like knobs containing the electric
lights, fastened TO the top OF the helmet
near the eyes. This, II was claimed by
the inventor, assisted the diver consider
ably in his work. especially on cloudy
days. The air pump, also the Jap's
own invention and handiwork, was run by
electricity. and was said TO insure
steadier and more uniform supply of air
10 the diver than the hand pump appara-
tus in general use at present
The exhibition and test was to have
taken place at oclock, but it was nearly
when all preparations for the trial
We're finished The air-supply hose was
tested the telephone apparatus and the
electric light attachments were found in
good working condition and the electric
air pump was also running perfectly and
smooth. There was no hitch anywhere.
DOns Diving Suit.
The plucky, little japanese, with the
assistance of braway and big Bernard
Donnelly, gunner T. S n. who is in
charge Of the monitor was put into the
new diving suit and the little. brown man
almost got lost in its big folds. The pom
derous shoes, each weighted down with
twenty-fve-pouud lead soleS. added to
make Takao look almost ludicrous. and
everybody had a good laugh at the ex-
pense of the Japanese, who seemed 10 en-
joy the fun as much as anybody, not
dreaming that within the next ten min
Utes he would almost sacrifice his life TO
his genius and ambition.
Everything was in readiness, and to
make the occasion as memorable as pos
sible in the life OF Takac he had his pho
tOgraph taken. atJred IN his diving suit,
one Of his assistants having brought "a
camera along for that purpose Gunner
DOnnelly again gave the apparatus and
everything connected with il minute
and careful examination
Before screwing the face plate on the
helmet, Donnelly instructed the diver as
90 the signals ne should give in case OF
emergencies. Three tugs at the life or
signal line by the diver meant that he
wanted TO he hauled up; three short jerks
By the operator above the water notified
the diver TO get ready to be hauled up
One tap on the helmet by the operator
meant that everything was o. X. Re
peating these Instructions 10 the little
japanese he was slowly lowered over the
side Of the big man-of-war.
Diver Fails 10 sink.
A. J. Lix. vho has been with Iwanami
for over a month and has interested him
self in the invention. took bis place at the
air pump. Something was wrong. The
diver would not sink; he foated on top
Of the water like a toy balloon. Gunner
Donaelly gave the word and ali hands
fell to and hauled the man In the rub
Der suit back again on blard the boat.
Ii was found that the whole outfit, in
Guiding the man inside, brass and steel
light too huoyant Two heavy lead
disks each weighing fifty pounds were
procured and secured to the chest plate
of the suit And again the little man was
swung overheard. This time he went
down Ike a shot. Everybody was in
tenseIy interested in the proceedings. The
telephone bell on board rang and the
Jap's assistant answered 20 hear what
the man below the water wanted But
there was no reply.
Everybody pull" frantically shouted
Gunner DOnnelly, perceiying three quick
signals from below II took about half
minute % pull the diver up, the line indi-
eating that he had been In the water 10
a depth Of about thirty feet
SIckening Sight Presented.
a sickening sight presented itself
through the glass face plate as the man
was brought over the side Of the ship.
Making every effort 10 bring relief 10
the suffocating man. Donnelly endeavored
10 unscrew the face plate but somehow
fl had become tightened and could not be
budged. 1t took just about a second,
which seemed like eternity, to produce a
monkey wrench, with the aid of which
Donne}y soon had the helmet open
IwanamTs face was bloated and of a
ghastly dark purple hue. Blood streamed
from his ears. mouth, and nose, his eyes
We're swollen and tightly closed. He was
conscious, and first called for ice water.
He was quickly freed from his cumber-
some rubber suit and brass and steel
trimmings and placed on cushions on the
lower deck Of the vessel. A doctor was
sent for. and meanwhile Gunner Don
nelly, assisted by some Of the men pres
ent. used every effort to make the Japa-
uese comfortable.
Talks About Accident.
Ee insisted on talking about the acci-
dent. saying there must have been a kinz
In the air hose which prevented the Cow
from reaching him. Iwanami insisted
again and again that there was some
p thing wrong with the hose. He said when
ne got under water there was absolutely
no fow f air noticeable and feeling suno-
cation overcoming him. he pulled the line
tAce times.
DR.. J. Higgins, attached TO the arsenal
had arrived by this time, and, examining
the man, administered a hypodermic in
lection to alleviate his sufferings
He said tilere was no Immediate danger
ana lh0"5hl tiidt 4MdIldiHi would De VI
and about again in two or three days
The physician said the case was one OF
asphyxiation. similar to that Of a person
drowning Iwanami was taken 10 the
Naval Hospital
VIII Try Again.
Gunner Donnelly. who has seen service
in this country and the Philippines in the
navy. said that Iwanami would not give
up his attempts on account of the acct
dent that he would try again and again
ar Donnelly had a similar experience