Diving

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

the art of plunging beneath the surface of water and remaining for a time. Many diving birds rely upon this method of securing food and of escaping their enemies. The loon, the cormorant, and the penguin are good examples. The otter, seal, and whale are skillful divers, and can remain under water for a considerable length of time. Many diving bugs carry down bubbles of air beneath their wing covers. A person does well to remain under water eighty seconds. The most skillful divers are perhaps the pearl and sponge fishers of the Mediterranean and East Indies. Divers who require to work under water laying and repairing water mains, examining or raising wrecks, and the like, usually wear a diving armor or diver's suit. It is water proof throughout. The head is surrounded by a large hollow helmet with a glass front. A force pump in the boat above and a flexible tube are relied upon to supply fresh air. A signal cord enables the diver to send word above when he desires to be drawn up. The latest improvements consist of a steel reservoir of air lashed to the diver's back from which he breathes air from a tube. Another contrivance is the diving bell. It is shaped like an inverted water pail. It is tall enough for a man to stand within on a crosspiece. It sinks of its own weight, imprisoning and carrying down air enough to support the workman for some time. A diving bell is considered a more clumsy, and is certainly a less portable device, than the diving suit. It may be supplied with fresh air as in the case of the diving suit. A diver's armor or suit is worth up to $500, and weighs 170 pounds. See Swimming