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Page 9
The most remarkable thing about the bell is that it can move about under
the water, instead of merely being let down to remain in one place like
an ordinary diving-bell.
Attached to its cage are four long arms, which can be moved about at
will by the persons in the bell.
With the aid of these arms the huge machine can move from place to place
like a great spider.
The arms can also be drawn together like pincers, and made to grip
objects and carry them up to the surface.
The interior of the bell is lighted by electricity. Outside it carries a
large headlight, which enables those in the bell to see around them for
a distance of a hundred feet.
Experiments have been made in the Great Lakes with this bell, and its
first practical work has been to locate the exact position of the
steamer _Pewabic_, which was wrecked in Lake Michigan thirty-two years
ago.
Many attempts have been made to find this steamer because she was laden
with a cargo of copper ingots, and had besides a large sum of money on
board, the two together amounting to about $140,000.
All attempts had, however, been unsuccessful until the Smith bell was
used. The steamer was found lying in one hundred and sixty feet of
water.
To prove the truth of the find, portions of the wreck were brought to
the surface.
The success in Lake Michigan has determined the owner of the diving-bell
to try and raise the North German Lloyd steamer _Elbe_, which was
wrecked off the coast of England in 1895.
The owners of the _Elbe_ have already spent about fifty thousand dollars
in efforts to recover their vessel.
The position of the ship was located by divers, who, at a depth of one
hundred and seventy-one feet, found the upper works of the steamer.
These men, however, declare that it is utterly impossible to raise the
ship.
The _Elbe_ had a valuable cargo and a large amount of gold on board. The
owners of the diving-bell are determined to make the effort to raise her
and secure for themselves the immense reward offered.
They intend to remove the cargo first and then raise the hull, if it is
possible to do so.
They are very hopeful of success, and say that the task does not appear
to them any more difficult than the raising of the cargo of the
_Pewabic_ which latter task they are sure of accomplishing.
* * * * *
On the 24th of June there was a celebration in Halifax, Nova Scotia, of
the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the mainland of
America.
A tablet was placed in the Parliament building in honor of John Cabot,
who four hundred years ago sailed from Bristol, England, and finally
reached the shores of Newfoundland.
An endeavor was made to make the celebration a general one throughout
Canada and the United States, but this was found to be impracticable.
Cabot's voyage could not be made of the same importance as that of
Columbus.
The foundation-stone of a monument to Cabot was laid in his native town
of Bristol on the same day that the celebration took place in Halifax.
* * * * *
Lieutenant Peary has started on another Polar expedition, and feels
hopeful that this time he will be able to reach the Pole.
His plans for his trip are much the same as those of Dr. Nansen; that is
to say, he will establish little colonies of Eskimos at certain
distances along his route, leaving supplies with each colony, which he
can fall back on in case of need.
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