Billiris says with a sly smile. The divers were gone, too, mostly to work in the steel mills and factories of the Midwest. The industry got a boost in 1985, after Hurricane Elena stalled over the gulf for three days and churned the waters. Divers began finding sponges again. Once the sponges are harvested, they must be kept wet and turned frequently to prevent decomposition.
Shops line the docks and sidestreets, selling sponges of all shapes, sizes, and quality.
In good weather, the St. Nicholas Boat Line offers several cruises a day, all of which show a sponging demonstration. Billiris had told me that the cool, windy weather meant that the manatees would seek refuge in the warm waters of Spring Bayou, so I drove over and sat by the water's edge and waited. After awhile, I began to notice the large, smooth surfaces hanging just beneath the rippling surface of the water. The manatees had arrived. For more than an hour, I watched as three or four of them dived, rose to the surface and glided through the water, rolling and basking in what must have felt like a warm bath.