DIVING ACCIDENT AT ROSS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 295, 25 September 1873, Page 7

DIVING ACCIDENT AT ROSS.

From the "Boss Guardian" we learn that Mr. Watson, the^ell-knowu diver, had arrived in Rosf^to see if*it was practicable to fish upfrom the bosom of Jones Flat the columns and other underground appliances belonging^ to the drainage plan*, the property of Mr. M. Cassius of Hofcjtik:a. No difficulties are said to present themselves, and the submarine work is to be commenced | next week. The task will not be one of the most pleasant, as groping about in the dark at the bottom of a shaft 300 ft. deep, and full of water, can easily be imagined. A more recent issue of the same journal gives the following description of Mr. Watson's descent in the shaft, and the accident which followed : — It appears that about nine o'clock in the morning, Mr. Watson went down the shaft;, and after working away for about half an hour the air-pipe burst, with a loud report, at the bottom ofthe shaft. Mr. Malfroy, who was standing by at the time, ordered the diver to be pulled up at once, and although only about one minute elapsed from the time the pipe burst till the diver was hoisted to the surface of the water and the plate in front of the helmet unscrewed, he showed every sign of suffocation. The rush of blood to the head was so great, and his neck was swelled to such an extent, that it was with difficulty the helmet was removed , while his face was as black as ink, and he was perfectly blind. He soon slightly recovered ; and as a proof of what nerve he must be possessed of, whenever he could speak, he gave orders to Mr. Malfroy to clear away the pipes from the shaft and get ready for to-morrow, expecting to be qiu'te recovered by that time. He was assisted to the London Tavern, where he is residing, and Dr. James was immediately called in ; but the swelling in the neck, caused by the congealed blood, not going down, it was decided to telegraph to Hokitika for Dr. Maunsell, who arrived about 5 o'clock. He immediately applied leeches, and we are happy to say Mr. Watson was last night gradually getting convalescent. The pipe that burst was a new piece put on by Mr. Watson yesterday morning for safety. He was about 60 feet from the surface of the water when the accident occurred. It may be truly said of Mr. Watson that he carries his life in his hand when under water, as this is the fourteenth time that a similar accident has occurred. After such a narrow escape from suffocation, many men would be deterred from risking their lives again; but Mr. Watson has no such fear. His only anxiety being to get well, and commence the work again. The drawing of the pipes was going on very satifactorily, and all of them extending to the depth Mr. Watson has contracted to go are in a fair way of being recovered. We are happy to slate that Mr. Watson has so far recovered as to be able to walk about his room yesterday. He expects to be able to resume work at the Cassius shaft in a day or two.