98 THE BIRTH OF THE BATHYSPHERE 



controlled the main cable; another who operated a 

 smaller winch which lowered and raised the boom 

 supporting the bathysphere, who also acted as a 

 fireman. 



1 steersman, controlling the rudder of the Ready. 



2 men, clamping the telephone line to the main cable. 

 9 deck hands paying out and hauling in telephone 



cable, hauling guys, winding cable on drum, etc. 

 I or 2 messengers, communicating between liaison and 



deck officers; one of these attended to the generator 



and its requirements. 

 I man, reading meter wheel and tying tapes onto the 



cable at every hundred feet. 



To complete the roster of those necessary for the opera- 

 tion of the sphere, there must be added the crew of the 

 Gladisfen, 5 men, and one man who operated the motor- 

 boat which stood by in case of emergency. 



Counting the six men last mentioned, it will be seen 

 that the total number needed for lowering the bathysphere 

 amounted to twenty-eight persons, including two divers. 

 This number might have been reduced slightly, but the 

 uniqueness of the venture required an over-complemented 

 crew rather than an undermanned one. 



Finally the barge was towed out and anchored in the 

 lee of Nonsuch, and then we all settled down to watch 

 sea and sky, wind and barometer — praying for fine 

 weather and a total absence of sudden squalls. 



