The daily Alaskan., 1922-07-11

studied and then dropped the Lusi- tania venture, believing the gods were against any successful salvag- ing operations. The idea of raising the ship itself was never considered feasible, and 1t is not being attempt ed by Mir. Leavitt and his expedition. The purpose is solely to make big holes in the three decks which lie over the safe and Strongroom, and then lift up the safe and the boxed gold through these holes.
 The difficulties in the way of sal vaging the treasures of the Lusltania have been investigated, and pro- nounced to be insurmountable by many engineers. The profit to the salvagers, even though the project were successful, had been doubted because of the many claimants and the complex legal propositions in voIved in quieting titles. The depth of 275 feet Is an insuperable bar in the opinion of most marine en- gineers because of the fact that, while divers have explored at that depth. none have been able to work so deep.
 Divers Wear Metal Shell
 Divers are encased in a rigid shell of metal and hard rubber to prevent them from Eeing crushed at such a great depth. Mir. Leavitt says that he has been able to overcome this obstacle by a diving suit of his own invention which resists the pressure of water and enables the man to work at great depths. As for the claims of owning, heirs, the ship company or the insurance companies to the treasure. if 1t is raised, Mir. Leayitt said that he would take his chances in the international Salvage Court.
 "I believe that we will get by far the greater part of the value of the treasure" he said. Any salvage court would allow + to us. We have made no arrangement in advance with owners. shipping companies, in- surance companies Or the British Ad- miralty, and we do not need to, be- cause a salvage company has the ab- solute right to proceed on its own initiative in the case of a vessel sunk so deep and sunk so far from shore Our rights will be taken care of thereafter in the courts"
 We will not use dynamite, but uitro-glycerine," Said MT. Leayitt. Dynamite will not explode under the pressure imposed on 1t at the depth of the Lusitauia, but nitro glycerne will It will not twist everything up, but will cut through the decks like a knirt. When holes have been made through the three decks, the safe will be blasted iron, it's iastenings and will then be hoist ed to the surface with the aid Of a boom.
 Four Divers to Work in Shifts
 lam taking four divers who will work on two hour shifts. The thing is feasible only because of the diving suits which l have invented, m m,iIg work possible at that depth. The suits weigh $50 pounds on land. At that depth under the water their et- rective weight would be 75 pounds.
 These suits, which are metal forts with jointed limbs and heavy glass portholes for sight, are equipped with tanks to supply oxygen, and with causuc soda tO take up lhc car bon dioxide. In an ordinary suit the diver would be smashed at that depth as if a building had fallen on him.
 Mir Leavitt said that his sXpedi- ton was being urdortaken EU total cost of about S.:9 OQ as agains. the prospect of the lions share of s. 100000.
 Some big fnancIrrs have sought to interest themselves iC 1t during the last few du,s he asserted. but i. is too late. I was offered S55D."0o for the pr1 1I0ai':on IS 1t stood but refused. Th3 investors wbO havo put I'D the mon,y to back the expedition are all miIG.e class people of moder- G;e means"
 The ship BlakeIey was built for the Shipping Board .n 1919. It is 200 feet l9I-, WIlh twenly-tOur ICot beam.