Evening star., 1925-08-12
DIVERS, AFTER MERIDA RICHES,
FIGHT WITH SHARKS FOR LIVES
Hungry Monsters Attack Men on Slow Upward Jour-
ney From 2OOFoot Depth-Progress Made
in Recovery of 81 4,OOO,OOO Treasure.

| the crew of the Spray. who knew that
an experienced sailor should read our
whole story from the flags and pen.
nants flying at our masthead The
cutter made a complete circle about
the Spra". studying our insignia.
You're . salvage boat?" finally in
quired the marine police official. "Ay,
ay. sir" replied Capt. Moore Hunt
ing for buried treasure, / under
sta nd" 'Ay, ay, sir" reaffirmed
Capt. Moore. and the police boat went
away satisfied.
Fifteen times in all, since the Meri-
da was located, the divers, Frank
Crilley and Fred Nelson. have donned
their diving gear and gone over the
side of the Spray to the wreck be-
low. These deep-sea dives, which are
record for depth at this distance from
land, are so carefully prepared that
they would compete with the staging
of an elaborate opera with famous
prima donna in the stellar role.
Each Diver Has Valet.
Each diver has "A perma nent wa
let, whose duty Is to keep the diving
gear in proper shape. making minute
inspection of every inch of the seams
in the suit and reinforcing weak spots
with patches, as the slightest weak
ness anywhere in the diving uniform
would mean certain diSa ster.
Preparing to put on his diving
dress, which weighs almost 200
pounds. the diver first adds heavy
woolen clothing. extra shirts. trousers
and socks. as he is to descend into
frigid temperatures, and it is impor-
mt that he be kept warm and dry.
Then his valet assists him into his
rubberiZed canvas suit The heavy
breastplate is slipped over his head
and the suit clamped to Ii solidly 10
make water-tight joint. Overalls
with large pockets for his working
tools and his sheath knife are pulled
on and rubber bands snapped around
his wrists 10 hold the sleeves water
tight.
Wears 16-Pound Shoes.
The heavy iron shoes. each weighing
l6 pounds, are strapped to his feet
and he is helped over the rail onto
the diving ladder. About his waist is
strapped a wide leather belt, studded
with "a ponds of lead weights held in
place by shoulder braces. Next a small
leather cap. like that worn by an avia-
tor, is fitted on his head with the ear
phones attached and fastened under
his chin. Finally comes the great cop
per helmet, with the telephone wires
plugged in at the side.
The divers shea knife. his first aid
in time of trouble and his chief
weap pom of defense against sharks or
devilfish. is on a string at his waist.
The airhose, telephone cable and life
line are now brought under his arms
from their connections at the rear of
the helmet and tied firmly on the front
of the breast plate, so that the en-
tire weight OF the diver is suspended
from this point.
He is now fully dressed and valeted
ready for the plunge. A smart tap on
the top of his helmet by the valet sig
nifies that everything is in readiness.
In the meantime the air pump has
been started and the pressure in the
air tanks built up TO 125 pounds to the
inch-this being the pressure required
for work at the depth of the Merida
The diver drops down the ladder until
his head is level with the surface,
when he reaches out and grasps his
descending line" three.inch manila
rope leading down to the ocean bed
below. He slides out of sight down this
line. increasing his air supply as the
water pressure becomes greater. For
every foot of depth the pressure in
creases by half a pound per square
inch.
Copyright. 1928. by North American News
paper Alliance