The Monte Vista journal., 1912-07-27

only are lutlt lIC VI dISi-
dents under the water, but the divers
life Is always in the hands of his
helpers, who must, while he is below,
not fail for a moment to keep the
life.giving air pump going, but they
must be able to comprehend his sig
nails and act accordingly and prompt
y.
Scores of stories of the work Of
divers have been written. Some OF
them are true, some are fiction, but
whether real or imagined, they do not
in the least detract from the romance
that seems to shine like halo around
those who perform their work deep
under the water.
Usually divers are associated with
sunken treasure. wrecks, the gather
ing of shells, pearl oysters and
sponges and but few give thought
TO the fact that the diver Is engaged
in numerous other, and less romantic,
occupations in which risks far great
er than the mere going into a wreck
are taken.
In bridge building. for instance, d.
vers are frequently employed to lay
the foundations for the great pillars
Of stone and concrete that will sup
port one of the spans of the structure.
notable piece of work of this char
acter was done on bridge that was
built couple of years ago at Cape
Colony. There 1t was necessary that
foundation be laid in 1S0 feet of
water.
One hundred and eighty feet of wa
ter Is depth that is very seldom at
tanned, and there are but few in
stances OF record, yet the foundation
was laid.
1t is said that the record is held by
Hooper an Englishman, who descend
ed 2Ol feet to the wreck of the Cape
Horn, lost off South America. In 1896
A. Erostarbe went down 1S0 feet to
the wreck of the Skyro, Off Cape Fin
isterre, and sent up bar silver valued
at s45O,000, after first having blown
tie ship partly to pieces with dyna-
mite
Another deep-water record was es-
tablshed by Alexander Lambert, who
recovered s35O,OOO in gold from the
wreck OF the Spanish mail steamer
Alfonso XII. which was in $50 feet
OF water. 1t Is said that the last time
ne went down he remained four hours,
uhls IN Itself being a phenomenal rec
ord, as two hours is regarded as about
The limit of any divers endurance.
DIVING is peculiar work and there
are not many who can do 1t. 1t not
only requires soundness of body, but
one must be something of mechanic
as well, especially If he Is going to
engage in underwater building. Be-
sides that he must be a man who is
wiling TO take chances, must be able
10 Keep his head at all times, no mat
Ter how scared, and then, maybe, he
will die In bed.
A diver named Donovan recently
cine very near dying in Baltimore
narbor but he did not know Of 1t at
'ne time. He was working In 25 feet
o' water directing piles that were be-
ing driven by . A,000-pound hammer.
IN some manner the hammer was re-
ceased and the great weight plunged
70 the bottom ol The harbor. Dono-
van was directly IN the path of the
ause weight, 20 close that 1t struck
as air hose within two feet of his
helmet
fortunately tho force of the blow
hurled the diver away from the
Neisnt' instead Of under It. In the
meantime the men above were almost
nan.ic with fear. They knew that
sAe alVer was directly under the ham.
h0 ana they naturally supposed he
oeen struck. There was terrific
"houon and the lifeline man be-
sau 10 Jerk and pull as hard as he
eouid TO ascertain whether Donovan
,o Us caught or free. The suspense
minute or two was fearful
~ the meantime Donovan didn't
INV ~" Just what It was that had
s'o"h MIN. The water was SO mud.
ana dirty that he did not see the
he'sht; In fact. he was astonisbed by
.eas us )erked by the lifeline. and as
10 US he overhauled his air pipe
~ prevent fouling It he tugged the
"a 10 be hoisted. Up he went
ns, was with many sighs OF relief
=, MS big. round helmet was sight.
mn, 'ne surface. He climbed partly
vi, water and rested on the gum
&C., o oi his punt while his helper un-
.swed .d the helmet.
What the deuca IN IN. mst,.ry-