Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1902 — A GIRL DIVER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A GIRL DIVER.

\ <■» • Almost Frightened to Death By . Her First Experience, hut Wants to Try It Again.

Woman’s curiosity has led her into strange places and through remarkable experiences, but few women have avir gone to the bottom of a river just to see how things looked there. Miss Elizabeth Muda Phillips has, however. She is a Philadelphia girl. She saw some divers about to descend to the bottom of the Delaware river on errands of a strictly business nature. She became fascinated by the sight and finally persuaded Mr. William Urquhart, foreman of the Philadelphia Construction company, to let her take a trip down in a diving suit. Her experiences she describes in the Philadelphia Times as follows: “The tugboat Isabel was moored to the pier, and in the cabin I exchanged my feminine apparel for the cumbersome diver’s dress, which of itself weighed me down. I was completely stowed

away in that gigantic suit, and the addition of a copper collar, or breastplate, weighing 35 pounds, made it necessary for me to remain seated while the dressing act was being completed. I could feel that collar bruising my shoulders, and the making firm of every screw caused me a twinge of pain. Next came the donning of a pair of heavy canvas overalls, which were secured around my waist by heavy rope. Then the life line was placed around my waist and made fast to a cleat adjusted in the collar to receive it. The air hose was similarly attached and securely fastened. Next in order came the. shoes, weighing 28 pounds apiece, monstrous affairs of leather, with copper soles. “A ladder was run down the side of the tugboat reaching to the water, by which means I was to make my descent. I was lifted over the side of the tugboat, as I was powerless to help myself. Then, clinging to the ladder, the belt was placed around me, a massive leaden affair weighing 85 pounds. “I was lying face downward on the boat between the two head points of the ladder, my feet touching water, ready for the adjustment of the last piece, the helmet, preparatory to taking the plunge, when Mr. Grim, who was making the descent with me, had me repeat our ‘private’ signals. He was to retain hold of my hand, and a ‘shake’ meant ‘all right’ and a ‘pull’ meant ‘ascend.’ At the command ‘all ready’ the pumps commenced working, and the helmet was placed on my head and screwed securely in place. “A moment later, my hand in Mr. Grim’s, I let go the ladder and felt my self sailing, not in ether, but in dirty, slimy water of a sickly brownish hue. The sensation was delightful, positively exhilarating. I could hear the bubble and gurgle of the water as we shot through at lightning speed. I remembered to give a big swallow. It was really necessary. I clung to Mr. Grim’s hand —tenaciously, he claims. But then a man always makes such remarks where a woman is concerned. However, he signaled, and I gleefully responded ‘all right.’ “I felt as if I could continue forever. Presently we struck bottom. Peering through the windows of my helmet, I could see stones, shells and straggling pieces of seaweed. Once again my companion signaled me, and, receiving a confident handshake, he grasped both my hands, and we ventured on a little promenade, a friendly inspection of our submarine cousins. “I found my 56 pound shoes serving me well, for they kept me from rising. My progress was not very rapid. It was more in the form of a double quick twostep, for every step implanted was followed by an upward move. The water had changed to a sickly greenish brown, and the river bed was far from presenting a cleanly apperance. “Then, without warning, came a loud roaring, as of many rivers, the sound of bursting cataracts. My feet became entangled In miles of' rope and hose. Mysterious, deafening sounds were everywhere. I signaled my companion to ascend, but no 'reassuring answer came back. Instead I felt his hold weaken, and then a mammoth white wall loomed up before me, completely shutting off my view. I found myself a prisoner in a network of rope and hose, surrounded on one side and covered overhead by a thick, grayish white canopy. “My companion’s hold relaxed entirely, . .y

and I, startled and puzzled, gazed out upon this indistinct labyrinth of rope, hose and wall. I soon realized, however, we had miscalculated the length of our esplanade and goue under the tugboat. “Then followed the most horrible of sensations. After repeated struggling I managed to free myself from the colls of rope and from under the tugboat. It was a glad moment when I saw the first round of the ladder. Reaching up, I made a frantic grasp for It and, seizing it with both hands, clung with all the fervor and concentrated strength of a drowning man clinging to a plank that holds forth hope of rescue and ultimate safety. Though I had hold of the ladder, I was still under water and soon found that I was powerless, utterly unable to move. I had all I could do to retain my hold on the ladder, for leaden weights wfere pulling me back. I was afraid to loosen my hold for fear I should return to the bottom of the Delaware, and yet I felt my strength giving way. “I struggled desperately to raise myself sufficiently to grasp the second round, but all effort was futile. I realized it was a physical Impossibility, as far as I was concerned. If help did not soon reach me, I must relax my hold, for my arms were paining me almost beyond endurance. “Suddenly, above the din and roar of tho water und the souud of rushing wind, I imagined I heard, ‘Hold fast to the ladder!’ I redoubled my efforts, and soon two powerful grips of iroh grasped each arm and raised me to the second round. By this time my head and part of my shoulders were out of water. Again I struggled to help myself, but Sank back helpless. Again that powerful grip of iron came to my rescue—grappling Irons, I felt confident, judging by the strength of the pressure—and this time, after a few more struggles, I succeeded in finding lodgment for my monstrous feet. “Step by step, Interrupted by many backward slides and with the aid of the grappling irons, I reached the top round of the ladder and from there was lifted on deck, for my strength had fled. “My helmet was quickly removed, and I gazed once more on familiar ground and fases. No laughing faces greeted me this time, but once assured I had suffered no injury the smiles returned in redoubled force. I was soon able to divest myself of my cumbersome garments, made more so by their watory bath. Explanations were in order, and I learned the delay In bringing me up was occasioned by an oversupply of air, which filled my canvas suit and made motion impossible. Had I not been a novice I would have helped myself by letting off the surplus air, but as It was I hung in midwater helpless, and the men had to go down to my assistance —not grappling irons, as I had surmised, though it is questionable If grappling irons could have inflicted more bruises. “But, despite my scars and bruises, now that I have learned the noises und sounds were not mysterious in character, but ordinary everyday noises, I would net hesitate on a second venture.”

MISS PHILLIPS IN DIVING DRESS.