Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1918-06-20

snid. ut was my own fault for try
ing to run the old boat instead of
putting you all ashore. No doubt the
vertical-rudder blades are bent aud
fouled the rocks. Now we've got to
think. and harder than we have ever
thought before"
1--WE aint a-going to drown like rats
In traps, sir" said Sum Clouts hear
tily.
"Not If / know 1t, Clouts," Donald
returned. Nov, firstsit isn't possible
Mo adjust the rudder, and we can't
Use without 1t. That's self-evident..
think. We are comparatively safe for
some time to come, because we have
| just taken on q supply of natural air,
and we haven't opened the air-hasks
yet. But, of course, 1t means only
two days respite"
IF / might say -, sir" said Clouts,
''it means that we must put on the
diving silits."
You're right" answered Donald.
'We aren't in q hopeless position by
any means II we manage to keep our
heads. Miss Kennedy. we'll get you
out of here in a jIffy # you don't mind
getting your feet wet.
"You see" he continued, In explana-
ton, "fortunately-yery fortunately
for us--we have the new Siebert div
Ing apparatus aboard. which was to
| have, been used for special purpose
IN connection with our work for the
| government"
"One moment, sir" said Davies.
"Have you match?"
Donald handed him one of the few
that remained. Davies struck It,
looked mt the depth meter, and whist!ed
eSpressively.
1.-Two hundred and eighty feet, sir"
he said in n low tone.
Eyes. that was about what / mag.
ined." replied Donald. ut is about as
much as the old F55 would stand with,
out buckling"
But two hundred is the extreme
limit of deep-sea diving, SIR" Davies
protested.
"The Siebert apparatus is especially
devised for going deeper than that"
returned Donald. TN fact, Siebert
himself went down to six hundred,
though he was all in when he came up.
You see, Davies, the new factor in the
Siebert dress is that it has compen.
sating pressure. I didn't specialize on
1t. but i understand it is sort Of
internal oxygen arrangement, com
pressed, which partly neutraliZes the
pressure outside. 1t has enough com
pressed oxygen TO last six hours.
Now. my plan is this: We must
leave the airlock one by one. with
rnther light weight of metal on our
feet, calculated to enable us to walk.
and yet not to keep us down. We
shall then simply climb the slopes of
Fair island under the water"
II think it is the only feasible plan.
sir" said Davies briskly.
"How do you feel about it, Ida?'
asked Donald in low tone.
Ida put her hand into his. II am
ready to do anything you wish, Don
aid, dear" she answered.
I'll answer for the lady with my
own life, sir" said Clouts heartily.
''Then we're decided" said Donald.
"Now, follow me in single file. hands
on the shoulders Of the one in front
Of you. All ready?"
He led the way through the dark
ness, down the ladder ut the base Of
the coming tower toward the storage
room in which the diving apparatus
was kept. Then he lit candle.
The Siebert apparatus possesses the
merit Of simplicity. Donald, as he
adjusted it on each with the aid Of
Davies, did not think 1t necessary to
explain the mechanism. 1t consisted.
first, of waterproof uniform, then of
glass mask and copper cylinder, the
latter covering the upper part of the
body and fastening about the Shout
ders. 1t contained supply of COM
pressed oxygen for several hours. The
cnrbonic acid exhaled passed into q
receptacle containing caustic soda,
which purified it. thus liberating the
oxygen. while the nitrogen could be
inhaled over and over again.
There was also single sleeve at
tached by wires to little storage bat
terry worn on the neck, in which, when
the apparatus had been properly adj
justed, small electric light could be
made to burn by the pressure Of q
button.
They waited a moment while Ida
put on the waterproof uniform; then
all followed suit. Donald and Davies
, dressed themselves after Clouts, and
attached the weights about the feet
of each and to their own. Finally,
. when all were in readiness, Donald
snuffed the candle and lit his electric
lamp. which was inclosed In u specially
. devised glass, calculated to resist O
great pressure.
Each of the party was now sealed
from all sound. They saw each others
, faces very dimly through the glass
masks.
Donald indicated to Davies that he
) was to bring up the rear, his hands