Strange World Beneath the Ocean

New Zealand Tablet, 3 February 1910, Page 190

Strange World Beneath the Ocean

The depths of the sea have always fascinated the human imagination. Three-quarters of the earth’s surface is covered with water, and it is only natural that man, who has found the dry land so rich in wonders belonging to all the kingdoms of nature, should desire to know what is hidden under the broad bosom of the ocean. The temptation presented by the pearl fisheries, and by the wish. to discover sunken treasures, has resulted in our acquisition of -considerable knowledge of the sea bottom in certain localities near shore. , , Some interesting facts have been brought to the attention of men of science by a scientist who has, for some years, been exploring the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea along the shore near Nice, in the search for marine animals. During his explorations, in a diving dress, he has carefully studied the effect of sunlight under water, and has found that illumination of the sea is probably much less than has generally been supposed. According to this gentleman’s statements, the world under the ocean is not only a world of mystery, but one of twilight and of night. He found that at a depth of about one hundred feet it was difficult to discover the small animals he was in search of. When the sun had begun to decline in the afternoon, darkness would suddenly envelop him when he was in 35ft or 40ft of water, and, rising to the surface under the impression that night had actually begun, he would be astonished to find himself emerging into brilliant sunshine. At considerable depths he found that it was ordinarily impossible to see a rock at a distance greater than 25ft. Under the best of circumstances, with very clear water and an unclouded sun overhead, a rock might be perceived 80ft or 90ft away. It was observed that the animals living on and near the bottom would, when alarmed, flee with great consternation, for a distance, of a few yards and then stop, believing that they had got beyond the sight of pursuers. One of the practical conclusions drawn from this scientist’s experiences is that it will not be possible for submarine vessels to move, rapidly owing to danger of collision with obstacles not visible beyond narrow range. ■■