SKETCH OF JAMES B. EADS. 547 



it back to him while he was still in the bell ; and in this manner a 

 number of the pigs, weighing seventy pounds each, were recovered 

 before he started to come up — the air-pump all the time supplying 

 him with air. But, in the mean time, having cleared the space beneath 

 the bell, the guy-line moved it farther and farther up-stream, in com- 

 pliance with his signals, and instead of the line being slacked out 

 again when his men commenced raising the bell, it was held so far 

 forward that the derrick capsized, having no guy to hold it in the 

 opposite direction. His assistants seized the block and tackle and 

 pulled the whisky-barrel up to the surface of the water by hand. 

 But it was so weighted with the lead around it that they could not 

 raise it higher. Not knowing what was the matter, he waited patient- 

 ly, the air-pump running with redoubled velocity, supplying him with 

 plenty of air. He soon saw the fingers of a man under the chime of 

 the barrel, and, recognizing this as an invitation, he seized the man's 

 hand and got out from under the barrel, much to the delight of all on 

 board. The derrick was then secured against any possible catastrophe 

 occurring again, and, after a number of successful trips to the bottom, 

 the diver was content to do the remainder of the work. 



In 1856 Mr. Eads made a proposition to Congress to keep the 

 channels of the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers clear 

 of snags, wrecks, and other obstructions for a term of years. A bill 

 embodying his plans was passed by the House of Representatives, but 

 failed in the Senate for want of action by that body. 



In 1857 his health compelled him to retire from business, and four 

 years later he was called upon to render the most signal and brilliant 

 services to his country in its time of extreme need. It was on the 

 17th of April, 1861, three days after the surrender of Fort Sumter, 

 when Attorney-General Bates wrote to him from "Washington : " Be 

 not surprised if you are called here suddenly by telegram. If called, 

 come instantly. Under a certain contingency it will be necessary to 

 have the aid of the most thorough knowledge of our Western rivers 

 and the use of steam on them, and in that event I have advised that 

 you should be consulted." 



The dispatch came shortly after the letter. Mr. Eads went imme- 

 diately to Washington, and, after consulting with the President and 

 Cabinet, prepared the plan he was requested to submit to them for 

 placing gunboats on the rivers, with suggestions as to the kind of boats 

 best fitted for the service, and in regard to the location of batteries to 

 be erected at several points on shore. Shortly afterward he was ap- 

 pointed, with Captain (afterward Rear- Admiral) John Rodgers, United 

 States Navy, to carry into effect the recommendations which he had 

 made, and at once to improvise three war-vessels for service at Cairo. 

 These were the Conestoga, Tyler, and Lexington, and were the first 

 of the large fleet that afterward covered the Mississippi River. The 

 Quartermaster-General issued proposals soon after for the construction 



