SHARKS FOR COMPANY.

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19991, 15 September 1936, Page 10

SHARKS FOR COMPANY.

DIVER’S DANGEROUS JOB. (From a Correspondent). CAPETOWN, August 1. Mr George Foley, a well-known Capetown diver, is back in Capetown after having demolished the wrecked Japanese vessel, the Paris Maru, which foundered in the fairway at Port Elizabeth two years ago. The vessel was smashed to pieces by dynamite and flattened out on Hie sea bed to a depth of 48 feet within ten mouths. Nine and a half fathoms below the surface, with a visibility of only a lew feel, around him. the diver was constantly watched by sharks which infested the wreck, on the look-out for fish stunned by the blasting Some of them were villainous looking beasts, he said, and almost touched him as they cruised around watching every movement as the slicks ol dynamite were being fastened to the plates ami frames. Every morning flic salvage steamer was followed by a screaming flock of gulls, which settled on the water when the vessel was moored. As soon as they saw the' boat put out from which the charged was fired they retired to a safe distance, but no sooner was the dull roar of the explosion heard, columns of spray being sent into the air, than the gulls swooped down in hundreds to pick up the myriads of small fish either killed or stunned. Sharks also became accustomed to the frequent explosions. and kept well clear until the dead fish appeared on the surface. ; (South African Morning Newspapers Service).