Evening star., 1926-09-12
BY COUNT BYRON DE PROROK
F. r g. s.

r. n. u. -.
~ URINCi seven years explora
ton in out of-the-way places
one would naturally expect
to run up against thrill or
two, but some episodes stand
out more clearly than others.
The curve of excitement varies. 1t
reached one high spot for me while
we were working off the coast of
Dierba last year, hunting for sub
merged city, traces of which had been
reported by the Greek sponge divers
who operate from Sfax.
Sfax is the headquarters of the
divers, and 1t is perhaps significant
to report that the men of this calling
are provided for fairly thoroughly
and they need it. There is A special
hospital for them. to deal with the
accidents and diseases incidental e
the calling.
On shore the fraternity is easily
recognized. for its members move
slowly around. almost powerless legs
drag tragically along, and the drawn,
almost bloodless faces speak of the
ravages of divers anemia. Incl
dentally, one learns that the percent
age of fatality among them Is high,
Year by year the ranks are thinned
bv disease and accident. but year by
wear younger men take the place of
the absentees. and the profession is
maintained. There are tricks in the
trade. tricks that belong above the
level of the sea and tricks that belong
on the seabed. sort of guerilla war.
fare continues between the divers and
the foremen.
The foremen have the advantage,
naturally, because they at least are
dependent upon no service for the air
they breathe, but the diver takes his
life in his hands every time they screw
on the great helmet, anchor the air
tube under his arm. and put the life
line where he can reach II. prior to
giving him few slaps on the back
and the push that sends him over
board to he dragged down to the sea
bed by the weights on his shoulders
and the massive shoes on his feet.
So much one knew. dimly. before ex
ploration took us along the coast Of
Tunisia to the tabled isle Of the Lotus
Eaters. Most of us had seen divers
going down. in the docks in our sea
ports, or off the coast. divers we'll as
sured of personal safety. so far as
human ingenuity could make them as
sured and where the hazards Of the
trade were moderately reduced.
Seeing the work off Africa. however
Immediately put another construction
on the matter. There wee posshil
tiles undreamed OF by the divers who
operate from more established centers.
We reached the port of Sfax and
made our arrangements. We were not
seeking sponges. we were seeking
lost civilization. and many were the
stories we heard from the divers.
stories that perhaps ought to have
deferred the men from their quest
but they were hardened to the work.
and glad Of variety. Just the zane.
like children they opened their hearts
to us. and certainly did not minimize
the risks they ran.
ITO hear them tell the tale. it seemed
that risk commenced with the last
turn Of the screw that held their hei-
met in place. l. for one. ultimately
came 10 agree with them. since 1t
was necessary for me to 60 down per-
sonally. novice that / was At what
one would call ''inclosed diving"
Yet diving for the city was less haZ
erdous in one particular than diving
for sponGes: there would he no fore
man looking for the average haul and
ready to force tired man back to
his search again il his crop did not
come up to expectations. These with.
cred. paralyzed men make no secret
Of the habits of some foremen. II Is
human lives.
So. they said. if the foreman was
rot very pleasant that morning they
might be pushed back to do another
hours work. Worse than that, II they
were too old to do good work. they
might be forgotten" entirely once
they went over the side. Tales they
told of aged divers who. having
passed their fruitful DAYS. had been
left to die on the floor of the sea.
Others had been caught in the cur
rents. some had been entancled in
the "doorwavs and windows" of the
submerged city which we we're to ex-
plore, and others had lost their lives
in battles with the giant fish Of the
depths. Altogether the prospect did
not please. but eaeerness to work per
haps Offset the tale Of tragedy. min
imized il a little and led US to believe
that the childish eXagEeration Of some
divers had magnif1ed the dangers.
We found later that the exagsera-
ton was not so great as we imagined.
just as we found another strange re
action. II was dificult TO believe
that some of the divers whom we
saw would ever be able to work be
low. They were twisted and gnarled,
almost enfeebled by divers paralysis.
Yet. as 500 as they reached working
depth and were subject TO the very
pressure that had incapaCitated them
for life ashore. they Strengthened up.
paralysis left them, their hearts End
lungs worked well. and they were
able to move easily and freshly. as
though they were young men in their
prime.
With II all they are a tovial crowd.
They have their moments. 1nordi.
nately fond of a mild adventure. |
fear that occasionally they plan and
execute raids on the fishing preserves
Of other people. an easy thing TO do.
but humorous 10 watch. and. let me
confess, agreeable to participate in.
There are two classes Of divers,
those who go down in their heavy
suits and those who wear no suits
q all The naked divers are the