ItEPAiniNG SHIPS. 259 



4. 8hips repaired without leaving the Water, and even while under 

 Sail. 



We havealrea'ly mentioned the great utility of the 

 diving apparatus in recovering sunken treasure, and 

 in submarine masonry ; but its utility is mu'-h greater 

 to the sailor when it becomes desirable to clean or 

 repair the bottom of his vessel. Every day increasing 

 im[)ortance attaches to the parts of the vessel below 

 water-mark. Seagoing steam -vessels, especially, re- 

 quire the frequent employment of submarine work- 

 men. The apparatus formerly used, when the life of 

 the man depended simply on the strength and con- 

 sistence of his dress, was but little adapted to the 

 rude buffetings ot" the sea. The improved diving- 

 dress which we have just described is far from pre- 

 senting the same inconveniences. 



To clean or repair the bottom of a ship it is no 

 longei* necessary, as heretofore, to lay the vessel up 

 in dock, and thus incur great expense, as well as the 

 loss ol valuable time. A rope-ladder, with rungs ot 

 wood or iron, is passed under the vessel. The ladder 

 having been stretched tight, the diver descends, and 

 clings to its rungs by means of a triangle, the base of 

 which is iron and the two sides of rope, terminated 

 by an iron hook. This renders the use of his hands 

 unnecessary to his supjwrt. He may fill his airtight 



