Year: 1874

NO. 48.
aOWA sUBMARINE DIVER WORKS.


We steam quietly down along the
coast for nearly two hours, until We
reach the wreck, which is indicated by
the tops of three masts tapering few
feet above tie surface. It is not Ger.
tain yet that the vessel can be saved,
and before work is begun survey of
her bottom must be made by divers.
We have noticed stalwart fellow on
the ting, Who has courageous face and
= thlck-set frame. He is one of the
divers, who of all seamen have the
straDgest experiences. They go deep
beneath the sea, separated only by a
thread from death. Watch this man
as he dons bis submarine armor and
prepares to descend into the water. Over
suit of thick flannels he puts pair
OF trowsers and jacket made from
lndia.rubber cloth. These fit close to
ankles, wrists, and across the chest.
Next he thrusts bis head through a cop.
per breast.plate provided with grooves.
into which the body Of the jacket is
fitted and screwed down by an at.en.
dant. The head is DOW covered By
helmet, with a glass face, which is also
screwed to the breast-plate,-heImet
and breast-plate weighing together about
tlfty'six pounds. Twenty-eight pounds
more are added to this burtbeu by a
pair Of shoes with leaden soles, and
thus equipped the diver resembles
neither man nor fish. A nearsighted
naturalist might puzzle over him for
hours, without finding out to which
species be belongs, so moustrous does
he appear. And it is not surprising
that the sharks themselves are afraid
OF the diyers, and fee inooutinently if
one of their arms be outstretched,


The extreme weight of the diver is
tatiguing above water, and he is glad
to embark in the surf.boat, which has
been launched from the tug to convey
him nearer the wreck than she dare
approach. A few strokes of the oar
bring the surveying party directly over
the sunken vessel, and the final prepara-
tions for the descent are made. You
aud watch breathlessly, but the d.
yer thinks very little about the danger
of what he is to do. One end of the
coil Of strong rubber tubing is fastened
to mouth.piece 1t the back of the
helmet, and the other end is connected
with IN air.pump in the boat. A hem
pen line is also secured to tho outside
OF the helmet, and passes down the d.
'ers right side, within IN easy reach of
his hand. Upon this tubing and line
his life will depend. Four blocks Of
lead, weighing fifty pounds, are now
slung over bis shoulders and water
proof bag, containing hammer, chisel
and dirk-knife, is fastened over his
breast. A short iron ladder is lowered
over the starboard side of the boat, and
the diver heavily climbs down each
round. His weight causes the boat to
dance and rock unsteadily. 1t is
very exciting moment for novice, 1
can tell you! His comrades watch his
movements attentively, and in another
moment he is standing on the bottom
round of the ladder. Two men stand
by the handles Of the air-pump at the
other end of the boat. All is ready.
The diver grasps rope, to prevent a
too rapid descent; be releases the lad
der, and the green water swells over and
hides him.


Full fathoms five he sinks; and as
tho sea closes about him, the great
weight of his armor dwindles away, and
bis movements are as free as an ath-
lete's: Smoothly he descends, and soon
feels his feet touching the hard sand.
His foothold is unsteady for notwlth-
standing tho weights attached to HIN,
he is still too buoyant, and once or twice
he pulls the signal.line for less air.
Well he knows that, unless the supply
be rightly adjusted, he will either be
sutfocated or sent bubbling to the surface
feet FIRST.


But his signals are needed, and as
bis tread becomes firm, he glauces
around him out of tho little window in
his helmet. Shoals of fish crowd in
qqisityely near, and some daringly rub
their noses against his breast bat a
wave Of his hand drives them off in
utmost terror. A few yards away lies
tho wreck, bedded in the sand, add
plainly visible in the green light of the
depths. There is as much light, in-
deed, as We have on shore during ordi.
nary foggy weather. The diver ap-
proaehes cautiously. His greatest peril
is in tie tangled rigging and splinters,
which might twist or break the sir.pipe
and signal.line. he does not move
step without first fading out whittier
it will lead him, and in good time he
safely reaches the hull. Thus far be
is pleased with the "job = the water is
clear and his feet do not sink into the
sand. Now he begius his search for the
damages, and works for four OF five
hours without interruption, examining