|
PEARLS FROM ASIA
|
137
|
||
|
|
|||
|
presents an interesting sight, like a great white hen among her brood of chickens.
Most
of the boats are from Mergui, and are chartered at a monthly rate of
from Rs.105 to Rs.120 each, including a crew of four or five Burmans
with their subsistence, consisting principally of rice and salted fish;
the charterer is further required to pay each member of the crew four
annas, or one rupee, for each day actually employed in operating the
diving pump. In addition to these men, each boat carries one diver and
an attendant, commonly known as "tender." The boat is sailed or rowed
by the crew, as directed by the diver ; and while the latter is
submerged, the boat and crew are under the supervision of the attendant.
The
divers are the most important men in the fleet, for on their ability
and efficiency depends the success of the enterprise. A very
considerable portion of them are natives of the Philippine Islands,
although many Japanese have been employed recently, and the number is
increasing. The compensation is at the rate of £2 to £4 per month, and
£20 for each ton of mother-of-pearl secured. The attendants are
likewise mostly Manilamen, but many Malayans and Burmans are employed;
the wages range from Rs.50 to Rs.8o per month, including provisions.
The peculiar duties of the attendant are to help the diver into his
dress, place the shoulder leads into position, screw on the helmet, and
especially to receive and respond to signals and to direct the
movements of the vessel in accordance therewith.
The
scaphander, or diving-dress, is composed of solid sheet rubber, covered
on both sides with canvas. The head-piece is made of tinned copper, and
is fitted with three glasses, one at the front and one on each side, so
as to afford the diver as wide a view as is consistent with strength of
construction. It has a valve by which he can regulate the pressure of
the atmosphere. The dress has a double collar, the inner portion coming
up around the neck, and the other hermetically fastened to the
breastplate. The breastplate is likewise made of copper. The suit is
connected with the air-pump by means of a stout rubber tube which
enters the helmet, and through which air is supplied to the diver
incased therein. This air-tube consists of three or four lengths—each
of fifty feet—of light hose, commonly called "pipe." This is buoyant so
that it may be easily pulled along, and may not readily foul among the
rocks. However, when working on very rough bottom with sharp-edged
stones, the lower length is of stouter material in order to resist the
chafing on the bottom. Before descending, the air-line is loosely
coiled around the diver's arm to prevent a sudden strain on it when it
is tightened, and a signal-line is attached to his waist to enable him
to communicate with the men above.
|
|||
|
|
|||