HISTORY OF DEEP SEA DIVING.image05.jpgJust how far back the art of sub-marine diving dates, is a matter of conjecture, but until the invention of the present armor and helmet in 1839, work and exploration under water was, at best, imperfect, and could only be pursued in a very limited degree. The armor of to-day consists of a rubber and canvas suit, socks, trousers and shirt in one, a copper breastplate or collar, a copper helmet, iron-soled shoes, and a belt of leaden weights to sink the diver.The helmet is made of tinned copper with three circular glasses, one in front and one on either side, with guards in front to protect them. The front eye-piece is made to unscrew and enable the diver to receive or give instructions without removing the helmet. One or more outlet valves are placed at the back or side of the helmet to allow the vitiated air to escape. These valves only open outwards by working against a spiral spring, so that no water can enter. The inlet valve is at the back of the helmet, and the air on entry is directed by three channels running along the top of the helmet to points above the eye-pieces, enabling the diver to always inhale fresh air, whilst condensation on the glasses is avoided. The helmet is secured to the breastplate below by a segmental screw-bayonet joint, securing attachment by one-eighth of a turn. The junction between the waterproof dress and the breastplate is made watertight by meansof studs, brass plates, and wing-nuts. A life or signal line enables the diver to communicate with those above. The air-pipe is made of vulcanized india-rubber with galvanized iron wire imbedded.The cost of a complete diving outfit ranges from $750 to $1,000. The weight of the armor and attachments worn by the diver is 246 pounds, divided as follows:—Helmet and breastplate, 51 pounds; belt of lead weights, 122 pounds; rubber dress or suit, 19 pounds; iron soled shoes, 27 pounds each.The greatest depth reached by any diver was 204 feet, at which depth there was a pressure of 88½ pounds per square inch on his body. The area exposed of the average diver in armor is 720 inches, which would have made the diver at that depth sustain a pressure of 66,960 pounds or over 33 tons.The water pressure on the diver is as follows:—20feet8½lbs.30″12¾″40″17¼″50″21¾″60″26¼″70″30½″80″34¾″90″39″100″43½″110″47¾″120″52¼″130″56½″140″60¾″150″65¼″The limit160feet69¾lbs.170″74″180″78″190″82¼″204″88½″image07.jpgTHE FIRST DIVING HELMET MADE.From a Photograph.The air which sustains the diver’s life below the surface is pumped from above by a powerful pump, which must be kept constantly at work while the diver is down. A stoppage of the pump a single instant, while the diver is in deep water, would result in his almost instant death from the pressure of the water outside. Only persons of perfect health and physique can pursue the calling of a diver. It would be suicidal for a human being not of perfect health and physique to attempt the feat.image08.jpgMODERN DIVER’S HELMET.From a Photograph.Before a man attempts diving he should be examined by a physician or medical officer. Men coming under any of the following classifications should not, under any circumstances, attempt a dive. Men with shortnecks, full-blooded, and florid complexions. Men who suffer from headache, are slightly deaf, or have recently had a running from the ear. Men who have at any time spat or coughed up blood. Men who have been subject to palpitation of the heart. Men who are very pale, whose lips are more blue than red, who are subject to cold hands and feet, men who have, what is commonly known as, a poor circulation. Men who have blood-shot eyes and a high color on the cheeks, by the interlacement of numerous small blood-vessels, which aredistinct. Men who are hard drinkers and have suffered from any severe disease, or who have had rheumatism or sun-stroke.The dangers of diving are manifold, and so risky is the calling, that there are only a few divers in the United States. The cheapest of them command $10 a day for four or five hours work, and many of them get $50 and $60 for the same term of labor under water.The greatest danger that besets the diver is not, as would doubtless be supposed, the monsters of the deep, such as sharks, etc., or of getting his air-hose entangled or fouled so as to cut off his air supply. It is the risk he runs every time he dives of rupturing a blood-vessel by the excessively compressed air he is compelled to breathe. Many divers have been hauled up dead in the armor from no apparent cause, when they had been plentifully supplied with air. In each case the rupture of a blood-vessel in the brain by the air pressure, had caused a fatal stroke of apoplexy. Divers have also died of fright in the armor. In one instance a diver at work in the hold of a sunken vessel got his air-hose so fouled, it was impossible to haul him up. Plenty of fresh air, however, was supplied to him, but he was held prisoner five hours, until another diver was procured to go down and free him. When he was hauled up he was a corpse. Fright had killed him. The diver is also subject to attacks by sharks, sword-fish, devil-fish and other voracious monsters of the ocean’s depths. To defend himself against them, he carries a double-edged knife, as sharp as a razor, which screws into a watertight brass sheath, but is always ready for instant use. It is the diver’s sole weapon of defense.
image05.jpg
Just how far back the art of sub-marine diving dates, is a matter of conjecture, but until the invention of the present armor and helmet in 1839, work and exploration under water was, at best, imperfect, and could only be pursued in a very limited degree. The armor of to-day consists of a rubber and canvas suit, socks, trousers and shirt in one, a copper breastplate or collar, a copper helmet, iron-soled shoes, and a belt of leaden weights to sink the diver.
The helmet is made of tinned copper with three circular glasses, one in front and one on either side, with guards in front to protect them. The front eye-piece is made to unscrew and enable the diver to receive or give instructions without removing the helmet. One or more outlet valves are placed at the back or side of the helmet to allow the vitiated air to escape. These valves only open outwards by working against a spiral spring, so that no water can enter. The inlet valve is at the back of the helmet, and the air on entry is directed by three channels running along the top of the helmet to points above the eye-pieces, enabling the diver to always inhale fresh air, whilst condensation on the glasses is avoided. The helmet is secured to the breastplate below by a segmental screw-bayonet joint, securing attachment by one-eighth of a turn. The junction between the waterproof dress and the breastplate is made watertight by meansof studs, brass plates, and wing-nuts. A life or signal line enables the diver to communicate with those above. The air-pipe is made of vulcanized india-rubber with galvanized iron wire imbedded.
The cost of a complete diving outfit ranges from $750 to $1,000. The weight of the armor and attachments worn by the diver is 246 pounds, divided as follows:—
Helmet and breastplate, 51 pounds; belt of lead weights, 122 pounds; rubber dress or suit, 19 pounds; iron soled shoes, 27 pounds each.
The greatest depth reached by any diver was 204 feet, at which depth there was a pressure of 88½ pounds per square inch on his body. The area exposed of the average diver in armor is 720 inches, which would have made the diver at that depth sustain a pressure of 66,960 pounds or over 33 tons.
The water pressure on the diver is as follows:—
image07.jpgTHE FIRST DIVING HELMET MADE.From a Photograph.
THE FIRST DIVING HELMET MADE.
From a Photograph.
The air which sustains the diver’s life below the surface is pumped from above by a powerful pump, which must be kept constantly at work while the diver is down. A stoppage of the pump a single instant, while the diver is in deep water, would result in his almost instant death from the pressure of the water outside. Only persons of perfect health and physique can pursue the calling of a diver. It would be suicidal for a human being not of perfect health and physique to attempt the feat.
image08.jpgMODERN DIVER’S HELMET.From a Photograph.
MODERN DIVER’S HELMET.
From a Photograph.
Before a man attempts diving he should be examined by a physician or medical officer. Men coming under any of the following classifications should not, under any circumstances, attempt a dive. Men with shortnecks, full-blooded, and florid complexions. Men who suffer from headache, are slightly deaf, or have recently had a running from the ear. Men who have at any time spat or coughed up blood. Men who have been subject to palpitation of the heart. Men who are very pale, whose lips are more blue than red, who are subject to cold hands and feet, men who have, what is commonly known as, a poor circulation. Men who have blood-shot eyes and a high color on the cheeks, by the interlacement of numerous small blood-vessels, which aredistinct. Men who are hard drinkers and have suffered from any severe disease, or who have had rheumatism or sun-stroke.
The dangers of diving are manifold, and so risky is the calling, that there are only a few divers in the United States. The cheapest of them command $10 a day for four or five hours work, and many of them get $50 and $60 for the same term of labor under water.
The greatest danger that besets the diver is not, as would doubtless be supposed, the monsters of the deep, such as sharks, etc., or of getting his air-hose entangled or fouled so as to cut off his air supply. It is the risk he runs every time he dives of rupturing a blood-vessel by the excessively compressed air he is compelled to breathe. Many divers have been hauled up dead in the armor from no apparent cause, when they had been plentifully supplied with air. In each case the rupture of a blood-vessel in the brain by the air pressure, had caused a fatal stroke of apoplexy. Divers have also died of fright in the armor. In one instance a diver at work in the hold of a sunken vessel got his air-hose so fouled, it was impossible to haul him up. Plenty of fresh air, however, was supplied to him, but he was held prisoner five hours, until another diver was procured to go down and free him. When he was hauled up he was a corpse. Fright had killed him. The diver is also subject to attacks by sharks, sword-fish, devil-fish and other voracious monsters of the ocean’s depths. To defend himself against them, he carries a double-edged knife, as sharp as a razor, which screws into a watertight brass sheath, but is always ready for instant use. It is the diver’s sole weapon of defense.
image09.jpgTHE SENSATION OF THE FIRST DIVE. AT THE BOTTOM OF SOUTHERN SEAS. FAIRYLAND BENEATH THE OCEAN. RECOVERING DEAD BODIES—A GRUESOME FIND.
THE SENSATION OF THE FIRST DIVE. AT THE BOTTOM OF SOUTHERN SEAS. FAIRYLAND BENEATH THE OCEAN. RECOVERING DEAD BODIES—A GRUESOME FIND.