Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 June 1915 — RAISING THE LUSITANIA. [ARTICLE]

RAISING THE LUSITANIA.

Hulk May Ik.* 1 Iragged Inshore Where Divers Can Reach It. At this writing the Lusitania is supposed to rest on a fairly hard bottom in from 300 to 400 feet of water. As a salvage prize the ship and some o; its cargo are worth reiovermg it they can be raised within a reasonable length of time. So far as we can learn, no intention to attem;rt recovery of the ship has beer, announced, and war conditions, of :hurse, render any possible attempt unusually difficult. And yet it cannot be finally s«id such a raising is absolutely impossible. although the engineers may esimate the cost at a figure which makes the effort impracticabie. Ship and cargo would represent probably a weight of 40,000 tons. No such large vessel has ever been raised even from less depths, hence, the problem presents, difficulties which have never been solved in actual p Tex CIIC Taat we have no precedent, however. does not in itself establish an impossibility. Given apparatus of sufficient size and strength, theoretieally, of course, it could be accomplished. Whether or not it would pay is another matter. The bare possibility, however, is ene which cannot fail to interest engineer and laymen alike. Much would doubtless depend on the ability of divers to descend to a depth which must establish new records by at least 100 feet, and to perform any useful work after getting down. Considerable advance has been made of late in diving work, and a recent invention consisting of a hollow metal sphere, now under construction, claims ability to put two men down 1,000 feet, with control of t he vehicle to permit the occupants moving it about, or anchoring it to a ship s side. Through windows the divers could observe the work of placing chains or cables, and by means of telephones direct the work of those on the surface. Instead of groping in the dark as formerly, the men above would practically observe their own work through the eyes of the divers, in this way not only greatly facilitating operations, but making the effort effective where otherwise it iuight be large experimental. It has been suggested that an effort of this nature would probably consist in raising the hull a few feet and dragging it inshore until it struck bottom; then raising and moving forward again, until it reached shallow water where ordinary divers could work for several hours at a time.—Popular Mechanics.

Obituary of Samuel B. Thornton. Samuel B. Thornton was born August 6, 1861, near Rensselaer, Ind., and departed this life June 11, ll'9ls, at the home of his brother. Vernon H. Thornton, at Spokane, Wash., at ,the age of 53 years, 10 months and 5 days. ' . \ He was the second child of George R. and Louisa M. Thornton, and was reared to manhood at the place of his birth. On July 13. 1884, he wa* united in marriage to Elnora Mofc fitt; formerly of near Winchester, fnd. To this union was born one Iphild, a son, George Lester, who departed this life at the age of about years. Those left to mourn the decease of Brother Thornton are the wife, three brothers, four sisters, one half brother, and many other relatives and friends in both the states of Washington and Indiana. Rich in faith and Christian character, h« departed leaving to mourn the loss

of a loving husband, a faithful brother and a Christian soldier. 1 Yt e will miss his presence in the hour of joy, his counsel in the midst of trial, his cheerfulness in adversity. But we will retain the memory o his Godly life, his loyalty to his Heavenly Master, his patient endurance, his love unbounded by the ordinary confines of human life- —a love not of words but of deeds. His example will make strong our hearts in the battle of life and service ot the One he loved to serve. Brother Thornton moved to Washington state about nine years ago, find had lived in the counties of SpoKane, Grant and Skagit. He was in poor healtti almost two years and va- anxiously and eagerly awaiting tor the time to depart. He made all arrangements for his funeral, and had been in the service oi God about ~tteen, years. The. funeral services •were held Wednesday at 2 p. m., .June : at the M. E. church in Rensselaer. Ind.. conducted by Bro‘ . cyner o; Chicago. The Singing, '--i.eh was very impressive, vras furished by J. tv. Sage and wife and -Russell and —Esther*- Sage -of <4-oml-Tand, Ind. A number of relatives and rends ;allowed the remains to the -aroily lot in Weston cemetery, where they were laid to rest by those of their little son. Those from abroad who were in attendance at the funeral were the ife from Spokane; Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Tliornton, lit tie son and Mrs. John Kimble from Michigan; Mrs. Irene Moore from Lafayette; Mrs. Clifford Robinson front Honor,; George Kimble from Gifford; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Smith from near Francesvillg, also a number of relatives and friends from '• -oodland, Remington, Fair Oaks, Parr and Surrey. Many beautiful floral offerings came with the remains from Spokane relatives and friends, and a number of floral contributions -were given by relatives and friends here in Indiana.-—A FRIEND.