Indiana daily times., 1921-05-04
SHIPS SALVAGE
WILL BE TRIED
BY NEW METHOD
Inflated POntoons to be Used
in .'ffOrt to Reclaim
Lost Isis
GOES DOWN OFF FLORIDA

/ NEW YORK, May - Weighted
/ down with the combined hopes of a band
/ Of adventurers ranging from metropolis
tan business men to officers of King
/ Georges household at Buckingham pal
ace, the little converted French warship,
Blue Point, is nosing her way to Anas \
tasia Island, of the coast of Florida,
! with the Saiger Salvage expedition on
board to renew the attempt made by the
same group to recover the lost steamship
Isis last fall. -
Stormy weather caused the abandon
ment of the effort last October after the
expedition had suffered intense punish-'
ment and lost much of its paraphernalia,
hence the employment at this time OF a
staunch craft, which during is expe-
dence as a mine sweeper ana more re-
Gently as a steam trawler of the New
FOundland banks established a reputa-
ton as one Of the most seaworthy ships
ahoat. Thirty marine engineers, divers
and wreckers are on board with their
unique equipment with which they ex-
pect to revolutionize present salvage
methods throughout the world.
FALUE PLACED
AT 81. 100000.
Their objective is not far from So
Augustine, where the Isis lies COM
pletely submerged. The lavish fittings
which A. G. Spaulding installed when
she was his private yacht and the par
aphernalia placed on board the Navy,
and more recently by the Geodetic Sur
vey when that branch of the service took
her over, is affording sport for the sharks
with which these waters abound OHgi-
nally valued at 81 900 900, the Isis offers
rich prize for the saliva ger, especially
In view Of the costly scientific apparatus
that the Geodetic Survey installed and
the supplies intended for a years cruise.
The Saliger Ship Salvage Corporation
hopes to recover this wealth through the
application of a principle that may be
seen demonstrated at any besch, river
or pond where children are at play. The
air bags that the more timid ones thrust
under their arms are tiny prototypes Of
the resilient and collapsible pontoons
employed by the saliger system to OBJ
viate the use Of costly and immobfls
cranes, derricks and rigid pontoons. The
Saliger air bags are huge affairs resenr<
bling in appearance great footballs when
inflated, but susceptible of being rolled
up like a heavy rug for transport ana
when being lowered alongside . gunken
ship.
MECHANICAL MOLE"
TO BURROW UNDER SHIP.
After mechanical mole mas Dux%
rowed its way under the ship, drawing
the lifting cables in its wake, the pom
toons are attached to the latter and
pumped full of air, imparting to each
great football a buoyancy capable Of lift
ing twenty five tons in the water. The
size Of the ship, of course, determines
the number of pontoors, but nothing can
resist their lifting power when enough
units are employed.
A. B. Saliger, the engtneer-inventoR in
charge Of the expedition, expects to have
the Isis afoat within three days after
work actually commences, but as weather
is the determining factor his staunch
workship has been coaled and proYi-
stoned to battle for months with the
elements II necessary. She is equipped
with wireless to keep In touch with ths/
world, aud a tender win ply back and
forth between the wreck and st. Ad-
gustine for the same purpose.
The personnel behind the project is
as unique as the undertaking itself In
cluding marine and financial men aH&a
Lieut. Col. Arthur Balfour Haig, equerry
to King George of England and a cou-
sin of Earl Haig, commander n-chief Of
the British forces during the war. All
are looking for fortunes from the rights
that wiz develop through the successful
outcome Of the daring experiment in saIs
wage sngtneeRanA