"Actuated, however, by the same feelings which had at first
prompted me to hazard the attempt, and having a natural repugnance to
receding after having, during my inquiries, disclosed my views very
freely, I was resolved to persevere. During the absence of the
Commander-in-Chief, I constantly employed myself in inquiring for any
persons likely to assist me, searching for implements, and obtaining
all the information within my reach, and devised several instruments of
minor importance which appeared likely to be useful. On his return
from Cape Frio, I showed these to him, of the whole of which he
approved."

Captain Dickinson could find no diving bell in Rio, so this versatile
officer proceeded to make one, and an extraordinary contrivance it was
for men to risk their lives in at the bottom of the sea. From H.M.S.
_Warspite_, one of the squadron in harbor, he obtained two iron water
tanks. These were turned over to an English mechanic named Moore,
formerly employed by the Brazilian government, who was assisted by the
carpenter of the _Lightning_. Between them they fashioned the water
tanks into something that looked like a diving bell. These capable
artisans then built an air pump, and now they were shy of hose through
which to force air to the submerged toilers.

"Being unable to find a workman in Rio Janeiro who would undertake to
make an air-tight hose," explains Captain Dickinson, "there appeared
for a time to be a stop to my preparations; but recollecting that there
was a Truscott's pump on board the _Lightning_, I attempted to render
the hoses belonging to it fit for the purpose, and to my great delight
succeeded, by first beating them hard with a broad-faced hammer to
render the texture as close as possible, then giving them a good coat
of Stockholm tar, afterwards parceling them well with new canvas
saturated with the same material, and finally serving them with
three-yarn spun-yarns, made of new yarns and well twisted.

"Having thus surmounted without assistance the two most formidable
difficulties that had yet presented themselves, I entertained a hope
that my own resources would prove equally available on future
occasions; and hence my confidence in ultimate success increased, in
the event of the stores and treasure still remaining where the ship was
lost. My officers and crew likewise now began to feel a great interest
in all that was doing; and their conduct and expressions afforded me a
happy pr