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Story
August 13, 1855
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Incidents involving a diving bell used for widening the New Bedford and Fairhaven bridge highlight its dangers: two men fainted after overstaying, another suffered nosebleeds and fever symptoms, and an Irishman felt his head about to burst on first descent.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Dangers of the Diving Bell.
During some weeks past a diving bell has been successfully employed in facilitating the operations for widening the draw at the New Bedford and Fairhaven bridge. The usual period of time which persons can remain in the diving bell with safety during its immersion, we believe, is about 45 minutes.
On Saturday last two men who had imprudently remained in the bell about an hour gave the signal to be hoisted up immediately and although this was speedily performed, one of them had fainted before emerging into the open air; probably in consequence of the atmosphere in the bell becoming bad from its continued respiration. A slight additional delay would probably have been attended with fatal consequences.
Another person recently, on being raised in the bell to the surface was attacked with bleeding at the nose, accompanied with symptoms of fever and ague.
An Irishman also, on his first descent in the bell, after a few minutes gave the signal to be hoisted up forthwith, and on meeting his friends declared that his head felt as if about to burst, and that he narrowly escaped death.
-New Bedford Mercury.
During some weeks past a diving bell has been successfully employed in facilitating the operations for widening the draw at the New Bedford and Fairhaven bridge. The usual period of time which persons can remain in the diving bell with safety during its immersion, we believe, is about 45 minutes.
On Saturday last two men who had imprudently remained in the bell about an hour gave the signal to be hoisted up immediately and although this was speedily performed, one of them had fainted before emerging into the open air; probably in consequence of the atmosphere in the bell becoming bad from its continued respiration. A slight additional delay would probably have been attended with fatal consequences.
Another person recently, on being raised in the bell to the surface was attacked with bleeding at the nose, accompanied with symptoms of fever and ague.
An Irishman also, on his first descent in the bell, after a few minutes gave the signal to be hoisted up forthwith, and on meeting his friends declared that his head felt as if about to burst, and that he narrowly escaped death.
-New Bedford Mercury.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Medical Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Diving Bell
Fainting
Nose Bleeding
Head Pressure
Bridge Widening
New Bedford
Where did it happen?
New Bedford And Fairhaven Bridge
Story Details
Location
New Bedford And Fairhaven Bridge
Event Date
Some Weeks Past, Saturday Last
Story Details
A diving bell used for bridge widening caused health issues: two men overstayed and one fainted from bad air; another had nosebleeds and fever-aguelike symptoms upon surfacing; an Irishman felt head pressure on first descent and signaled to ascend quickly.