The native American., 1838-04-21
PEARL FISHING IN THE PERSIAN GULF.
From Wellsted's Travels in .Arabial


sThe pearl bank extends from Sharia to BIZ
dulph's Group. The bottom is of shelly sand
and broken coral, and the depths vary from five
to fifteen fathoms. The right of fishing on the
bank is common, but alterations between rival
tribes are not unfreguent. Should the presence
of vessel of war prevent them from settling
these disputes the spot, they are generally de-
cided on the islands where they land to open
their oysters. In order to check such quarrels,
which, if permitted, would lead to general confu-
sion, two government vessels are usually cruising
on the bank.
Their boats are Of various sizes, and Of vari-
Gus construction, averaging from ten to fifty tons.
During one season it is computed that the island
of Bahrein furnishes, of all sizes, three thousand
five hundred; the Persian coast, one hundred;
and the space between Bahrein and the entrance
Ito the Gulf, including the Pirate Coast,
hundred. The value of the pearls obtained at
these several ports is estimated at forty lacs Of
dollars, or four hundred thousand pounds. Their
boats carry varying from eight to forty
men, and the number Of mariners thus employed,
at the height of the season. is rather above thirty
thousand. None receive any definite wages, but
each has share of the profits upon the whole.
A small tax is also levied on each boat by the
Sheikh of the port to which it belongs During
this period they live on dates and fish, of which
the latter are numerous and good, and to such
meagre diet small presents of rice were a
most welcome addition. Where polpy abound,
they envelope themselves in white garment;
but in general, with the exception Of cloth around
their waist, they are perfectly naked. When
about to proceed to business, they divide them
selves into two parties, one of which remains in
the boat to hand up the others who engaged
in diving. The latter having provided them
selves with small basket, jump overheard, and
place their feet on the stone, to which a line is
attached. Upon given signal this is let 60, and
| they sink with it to the bottom. When the oys-
tiers are thickly clustered, eight or ten may be
procured at each descent; the line is then jerked,
and the person stationed in the boat hauls the
driver up with as much rapidity as possible.
The period during which they can remain under
water has been much overrated; one minute is the
average, and never knew them, but on one occa-
sion, to exceed minute and half.
Accidents do not very frequently occur from
sharks, but the sawfsh (the Antiguorum Of Lin
naus) is much dreaded. Instances were related
to me where the divers had been completely cut
in two by these monsters, which attain, in the
Persian Gulf, a far larger size than in any other
part Of the world where have met with them.
AS the character of this fish may not be familiar
to the general reader, will add few words
in the way Of description. They are of an
oblong rounded form, their head being some
what hattened from the fore part, and tapering
more abruptly towards the tail. They usually
measure from thirteen to fifteen feet in length,
being covered with COURAGEOUS skin, OF dark
color above, but white beneath. The terrific
weapon from whence they derive their name,
is fiat projecting snout six feet in length, four
inches in breadth, armed on either side with
spines resembling the teeth Of shark.
Diving is considered very detrimental to health,
and without doubt it shorens the life of those who
much practice it. In order to aid the retention
of the breath, the diver places piece of elastic
horn over his nostrils, which binds them closely
together. He does not enter the boat each
time he rises to the surface, ropes being attached
to the side, to which he clings, until he has OBJ
tanned breath for another attempt. AS soon as
the fishermen have filled their boats. they proceed
to some of the islands with which the bank is
studded, and there, with mast, oars, and sails.
construct their tents. They estimate the un-
opened oysters at two dollars a hundred