STREETS FOR DIVERS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10748, 20 November 1928, Page 5

STREETS FOR DIVERS

CUT THROUGH SEA-BED JUNGLE. - .ON. BOTTOM OF SUNKEN : ' BATTLESHIP. LONDON, Sept. 27. Divers have been making streets under the sea lit Scapa Flow, Orkney, on the upturned bottom of the 24",U00-ions battleship Kaiser, one of the larger vessels of the German fleet which was scuttled at the end of the war. Since the ship turned turtle and came to rest on the sea bed its secrets have never been probed. When the divers descended this week they found a dense jungle of seaweed and marine growth" spread over the entire length and breadth of the vessel’s upturned bottom, which is 564 ft long and 95ft wide. This marine jungle is 6ft high, and all manner of sea urchins, fish, and other denizens of the deep have made their lairs among its thickets. Portions of seaweed growths are as thick as a man’s wrist. “We could not see a band in front of us because the seaweed towered right, above our heads.” one of the divers stated. Before beginning their work,the men had to make avenues through the sea growths for their own safety and convenience. The main thoroughfare .is a, broad avenue sweeping down the centre ot the ship’s bottom, and as the divers continue the work the thoroughfare will he gradually opened up until it is close upon 460 ft long.