BOTTOM OF THE THAMES

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1938, Page 10

BOTTOM OF THE THAMES

SAFER THERE THAN UN ROADS. DIVER FOR FORTY YEARS. LONDON, January 8. The best place to find respite from the noise and stress of the modern world is at the bottom of the Thames, according to Mr. William Pearce, of Reading, who has just retired after 40 years as a fresh-water diver. S'ummei’ and winter, in low water and flood, there has always been some thing for him to do. A lock gate of the buttress of a bridge has needed repairing, a barge has sunk with its cargo or, less pleasant, the body of a drowned man or woman has had to be located and brought to the surface.

Jewellery and other things ol value dropped overboard by passengers from the decks of pleasure steamers have had to be groped for among the mud and slime 20 or 30 feet down. “My job has not always been easy,” he said. “Sometimes when the river has been in flood I have had to fight to keep my feet on the bottom in spite of my heavily weighted boots. “More than once I have been in danger of being swept away, nut a couple of tugs on my life-line has warned the men in the boat above me, and they have not wasted a mo ment in hauling me to safety. “The work is never monotonous. While there is a job to be done you have plenty to think about and there are always the fish to keep yon company. “Perch are especially good com-. panions. They are more inquisitive 11 than any species I have known, and pass continually to and fro in front of the window of your helmet.”