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| UNITED STATES SUBMARINE DIVING EXHIBIT - This
little building, which surrounded a huge tank of water, stood
opposite the Libby Glass Works, on the south side of Midway
Plaisance, at the intersection of Washington Avenue, had that street
crossed Midway. A man turned the force-pump on the balcony,
attracting much attention. The visitor paid ten cents and entered at
the right portal. Ascending a rude stair-case he reached the surface
of the water. There a lecturer was seated, who explained the
entrance and exit of air into and from the diver's armor, and asked
for small coins, which were tossed into the water by their owners.
Through a telephone the diver, "Charley," who was unseen in the
bubbling water, reported the dates on these coins, and often returned
them to their former possessors. The diver then came to the surface
with the effigy of a drowned man, and allowed the people to see the
armor in which he was encased. He did not look essentially different
from the painting which is seen at the left front of the gaudily
bedecked shanty. Next the visitors filed down another rough pine
staircase on the left and took positions at the many peepholes which
looked in upon the pale blue water in the tank. To these holes the
diver came in turn, holding up a card on which, in large letters, was
printed some civil farewell compliment. His appearance was that of a
very wet man. His hands were shriveled and soaked, and the visitor
received the impression that life in the deep is not easy even for a
scientific diver. |
