Ebenezer Clifford, a 19th-century planemaker in Maine, supplemented his income by diving for shipwrecks. He used a diving suit of his own design, featuring a helmet with a glass faceplate and a flexible hose supplying air from the surface. Clifford’s diving exploits, recovering items like anchors and cannons, were well-known locally. He apparently applied his ingenuity to both planemaking and diving, showcasing a remarkable combination of craftsmanship and adventurous spirit.
Sailors, including pirates and privateers, were highly superstitious due to the unpredictable and dangerous nature of the sea. They believed in a variety of omens and rituals to appease the sea and ensure good fortune. These included avoiding whistling aboard ship (believed to summon storms), respecting certain creatures like dolphins and albatrosses, and performing specific actions on certain days, such as not sailing on a Friday. Many superstitions arose from practical concerns, like the prohibition against red clothing due to its similarity to the color of blood, which could demoralize the crew. These beliefs and practices, while seemingly irrational, provided a sense of control and order in a chaotic environment.
HN users discuss the practicality of some of the superstitions mentioned in the article, like avoiding whistling at sea (could be mistaken for piped orders) and not setting sail on a Friday (historically a common day for executions, making crews uneasy). Some commenters share additional maritime superstitions, including ones about bananas, redheads, and sharks following a ship. Several recall personal experiences or anecdotes related to seafaring superstitions, highlighting their enduring presence in nautical culture, even if not always taken seriously. The role of superstition in creating a sense of shared experience and camaraderie among sailors is also touched upon.
Divers off the coast of Spain have recovered remnants of a Phoenician shipwreck dating back approximately 2,600 years. The vessel, discovered near Mazarrón, carried ingots of tin likely originating from the Iberian Peninsula or even Cornwall, suggesting extensive trade networks during the 7th century B.C. Researchers believe the ship sank during a storm while en route to Cadiz, where the tin would have been exchanged for other valuable goods. The recovered artifacts, including the remarkably well-preserved tin ingots marked with Phoenician script, offer valuable insight into ancient maritime trade and shipbuilding practices.
Hacker News users discuss the exciting discovery of the 2,600-year-old Phoenician shipwreck. Some express amazement at the preservation of the ship after so long underwater, particularly the survival of organic materials like wood. Several commenters delve into the historical significance of the find, highlighting the Phoenicians' extensive maritime trade network and the potential for this wreck to offer new insights into their seafaring technology and trade practices. One user questions the description of the ship as "Phoenician," pointing out the complexities of assigning a distinct national identity to ancient Mediterranean peoples. Others discuss the legal and ethical aspects of recovering artifacts from shipwrecks, and the challenges of preserving them. Several share additional resources, including links to documentaries about ancient shipwrecks and information about other Phoenician archaeological finds.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43225805
Hacker News users discussed the intriguing story of Ebenezer Clifford, a planemaker and diving bell inventor. Several commenters focused on the ingenuity of Clifford's diving bell design, particularly its use of a weighted bellows system for air replenishment. Some debated the historical accuracy of attributing the invention solely to Clifford, pointing to earlier diving bell iterations. Others expressed fascination with Clifford's dual professions and the potential connection between woodworking precision and the technical demands of underwater exploration. A few users shared additional resources about early diving technology, highlighting the dangers and limitations of these pioneering devices. The overall sentiment was one of admiration for Clifford's ingenuity and the historical context of his inventions.
The Hacker News post "The Planemaker Who Walked Beneath the Water" (linking to an article about Ebenezer Clifford, a diving bell inventor and planemaker) has generated several comments, offering various perspectives and additional information.
One commenter points out the impressive feat of Clifford's diving bell invention, highlighting its use in salvage operations and mentioning its remarkable depth capability of 23 fathoms (138 feet). They express fascination with the technology of the time and how such a device could operate at that depth.
Another comment elaborates further on the historical context of diving bells, drawing a parallel between Clifford's bell and the earlier one designed by Edmund Halley. They explain that Halley's bell replenished its air supply by sending weighted barrels of air down to the bell, a method that Clifford's design seemingly improved upon.
A separate comment shifts the focus to the woodworking aspect, expressing admiration for Clifford's craftsmanship as a planemaker. They link this skill to the precision and ingenuity required for building a diving bell, suggesting a correlation between the two pursuits.
Furthering the discussion on the diving bell's mechanics, another commenter questions how the air pressure inside the bell was managed, speculating about the potential discomfort or danger of rapid pressure changes during ascent and descent. They also wonder about the effects of the increased air pressure at such depths.
Another commenter picks up on the pressure discussion, pointing out the significant pressure at 23 fathoms and suggesting that even a slow ascent would necessitate decompression stops to avoid the bends. This introduces a modern diving concept into the historical context, raising questions about the diving practices of that era.
Finally, a comment contributes a personal anecdote about diving in a similar antique diving helmet. They describe the experience of breathing compressed air and the restricted field of vision, offering a glimpse into what using such equipment might have been like.
The comments overall demonstrate a blend of curiosity about the historical technology, admiration for Clifford's skills, and a thoughtful consideration of the practical challenges associated with early diving. They enrich the original post by providing additional context and perspectives on both the diving bell and the planemaking aspects of Clifford's life.