1837.] 



for widening the Pamban Passage. 



115 



18th, Almost the whole of the men assisting in unloading the 

 stores, and bringing brush wood to lodge the diving-bell on. The 

 shears, constructed with four coco-anut trees, were not strong enough to 

 support the weight ; procured some large pal my rah trees, six of which 

 were employed in making another pair of shears— 16 holes fired to 

 day, 15 with excellent effect, the match Europe. The main dam is 

 now passable at all times of tide for boats. 



19th. Sunday. 



20th. Sent a large cargo boat to receive the windlass of the diving- 

 bell, but it went to pieces with the weight. There are no craft here ca- 

 pable of receiving this machine, nor people to work it ; being 5 tons in 

 weight, the diving-bell may be said to be unmanageable, and has, I 

 believe, never been used in Ceylon. 



21st. Diving-bell raised out of the Ceylon boat and suspended till 

 abed of fascines, stones and trees could be prepared to receive it. 

 Went to Ramisseram to ascertain what resources it could furnish, in 

 boats or materials, but found little or nothing ; the town depends 

 almost entirely on the pagoda, and the pilgrims who visit from India. 



22d. Men almost entirely employed with the diving-bell ; the 

 stage finished except the palmyra trees. 



23d. The bell lowered, and by a mistake of the native officer 

 brought on shore. It is now useless trying- to remove it, so it has been 

 allowed to remain till required, or fit boats provided for its reception. 

 It will not be required till near the close of the operations. Ceylon 

 government vessel, the Wolf, sailed for the pearl banks. 



24th. A new shed was commenced this morning for the black- 

 smiths ; the one they formerly worked in being required for the stores 

 received from Ceylon. The sappers principally employed in en- 

 larging the mouth of the small channel ; suspended the work at the 

 jail, not being able to procure clay, and a sufficient party could not be 

 spared to bring it without detriment to more important works. 



25th. The rock at the mouth of the little channel had been bored 

 in eight places, and at 1 1 a. m. the blasting commenced with very good 

 effect ; two charges with the Madras match failed, the others suc- 

 ceeded perfectly, and entirely broke the rock, giving an opening of 

 24 feet to the channel. The charges were this day contained in 

 leather bags of undressed sheep skins, covered with dammer, and are 

 preferable to either the tin, cases or bottles ; the expense is also much 

 less than the tin and not so subject to injury in tamping. 



26th. Sunday. 



27th. This is the first day the sea was sufficiently calm to admit of 

 work being carried on in the great channel, where the raft was anchor- 

 ed, and answered perfectly. Four holes bored in the rock, but not 

 finished before the tide had risen, and the current became too strong 



