It was while in this service that his attention was first attracted to the life saving dress in which he afterwards became so famous.

As this dress will often be alluded to in the pages to follow, it may be well at this time to give its description: It was invented by C.S.Merriman of Iowa, and consists of a pants and tunic made of highly vulcanized rubber.

When the pants are put on the tunic is pulled over the head and down over a steel band at the upper part of the pants where it is firmly secured by a rubber strap.

All portions of the body are covered except the face.

There are five air chambers in the costume; one at the back of the head which acts as a pillow and when fully inflated it draws the thin rubber around the face so that no water can wash down.