THE BIRTH OF THE BATHYSPHERE 97 



phones and neck clips so that the hands of the Haison 

 officer and diver would be free at all times. The line itself 

 was connected with the main electric cable at the gen- 

 erator. 



Finally we assembled the materials of which our at- 

 mosphere was to be made, the calcium chloride (anhy- 

 drous porous, No. 8 mesh) for absorbing moisture, the 

 soda lime (4-8 mesh) for absorbing the carbon dioxide, 

 and, above all, the oxygen tanks. Two tanks were to be 

 taken down on each descent, each containing eighty gal- 

 lons of oxygen under a pressure of eighteen hundred 

 pounds, one tank being prepared for immediate use by 

 clamping a valve in place, while the other was held in re- 

 serve. These two tanks when filled completely, are suf- 

 ficient to sustain life in two people for eight hours. 



We found that the crew necessary for the operation of 

 the bathysphere must consist of the following: 



2 divers. 



I deck officer in charge of operations on deck, such as 

 control of the winches, raising, lowering, etc. 



I liaison officer, relaying communications between the 

 divers and deck officer, and communicating the ob- 

 servations of the divers to the recorder. 



1 recorder, keeping account of time, and noting all 

 observations called through the telephone to the 

 liaison officer from below. 



2 winchmen, one on duty at the main winch which 



