A Diver’s Experience.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 480, 14 June 1890, Page 6

A Diver’s Experience.

‘ Yes,’ said C. P. Gilbert, in answer to a question,’ I used to be a diver in Government employ, and have been “down among the dead men ” more than once.’

‘ What were your sensations when you first began as a diver?’ asked the interviewer.

* Sometimes they were rather giddy ones, as for instance when I lost my balance under water and came up in a hurry feet foremost. That is a thing that is apb to happen if you are not accustomed to the dress, which weighs about 2001b.’ ‘ What is the depth of water you traversed ?’ ‘ I have never been down further than 32 feet,’ said Mr Gilbert, ‘ but I can remain at that depth

Two Hours.

It is very interesting and exhilarating, as there is double the quantity of oxygen that we can breathe on land. I can see around me in a circle of 40 feet ; all beyond that is fog. It amuses me to have the fish swim up and look at mo curiously through the glass eyes of my helmet. If I move they are gone like a flash, but as long as I stand still they will look in at me with as much as to say, “ What kind of a monster are you?” ’ ‘ What is the greatest depth to which a diver can descend ?’

* I do not know of any here who could go deeper than 125 ft. I would dive myself to 60fb, but no further. They can only stay down five minutes at a time at the deepest depth. It is very easy for me, but some of my men who tried it would be laid up for two or three days. I can walk about on the bottom of Lake Huron with perfectease. When lam waiting I lie down. There is a floating motion that assists a diver to walk easily. My work was to oversee the construction of piers on Lake Huron. I have gone down to inspect wrecks. Diving suits me so well that I sometimes think I was born for it. All the sensations are pleasant ones. When I look up there is nothing above my head but a great circle of light.’