Diver Deep

So this fellow works for the Northern Pacific Railroad and in 1924 he was about to inspect trestle pilings along Commencement Bay. The heavy bell style helmet and weighted iron boots work against his own buoyancy and that of the air filled suit anchoring him to the dark silty bottom. Just a little creepy to think that if he tears a serious air leak in the suit not only will his air supply be cut off but most of his lift will be gone and pulling him up quickly will be nearly impossible for the three guys helping above. In the few moments following this photograph, the man on the right fixed that small glass face plate in his hands onto the helmet and the diver went down to work.