The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-23
sPoNaINa in THE BAHAMAS.
Method u Gathering and Preparing TOT
Market-Irofits 0f the Work.

Market-profits of The Work.
Consul Thomas J.. McI,sin Of tho consul
ate ut Nassau, in the Bahama Islands, IN
response to tho direction OF tho state de-
p%artment. has furnished an interesting pa
por on the sponge trade OF the bahamas. In
which tho value OF ths industry and the
methods Of catching the sponRes are given.
The yossela employed in tho trade are
small, varying from tiys to twenty-five tons,
slOop or schooner rugged, and arc built In
the local shipyards. The construction and
repair Of these vessels constitnte an inn
portant industry In itself. They have
cooking ID lone on deck. About 200 of
theHs vessels are engaged in gatherinR
spongaa. The number OF persons gathering
sponges In tho Bahamas, handling them
aud preparing them In various stages for
market. Ia from 5000 to 5000. all Of whom,
except the ship owners, brokers and ship
pers, ara black people. Hands employed in
inaily for shipment abroad get from 80 to
rs cents per day OF ten hours. The amount
earned by tho. men who 90 fishing depends
entirely on the number OF sponRes OBJ
tanned. The owner of a vessel fits her out
at his own expense, and the profits Of tho
voyage arc divided up in shares among the
owner, the master and the men. They are
never hired by the month nor do they ever
get specified wages, The most that can 20
said Is that tho men make q tolerable liv-
ing, and the sponge fisherman who earns
over $500 n year IL the exception.
The method Of gathering sponges is by
means Of iron hooks attached to long poles.
BY using q water glass the fishermen can
readily discover the spongos at the bottom,
and then by this poles and hook can bring
up those he may select, leaving tho smaller
ones untouched. Some sponges adhere
firmly to the bed Of the sea, while others
are not attached at all, these latter being
known as "rollers." About ten cara ago
but it was found that their use was likely
to ruin the beds, because in passing over
the bottom they dislodged and brought up
not only the good sponges. but the young
and unstable ones as we'll. killing the
spawn and working great mischief. such
All outcry was raised against dredging that
IN net was passed forbidding it..
When brought to tho vessel tho sponges
are at Once spread upon the deck and left
exposed to the sun for several days. during
which time the animal matter that covers
the sponge gradually dies. This IL a black.
marine life, which, during the process Of
decay, emits q most Objectionable odor.
The vessels visit what il called the kraal
once 4 week to land the load from the
deck. The kraal is an inclosed pen, fenced
in by sticks of wood so as to allow q free
ClTCuLHJlOA VI WhUO1 sAAOAkA ~ Ao0NAAy
built in u sheltered and shallow bay or cove
on one of the Gays near by. Tho sponRes
are placed in the kraal and left to be
soaked and washed by the action Of the
water from four to six days, when they are
taken out and beaten with sticks until the
decayed covering is entirely removed. Hav-
ing been subjected to this course of ex-
posure-soaking, beating and w~ashing-the
sponges are quite clean and are taken on
board the vessel, packed in the hold, pom
veyed to Nassau, and in this condition are
sold in the local market. OF the larger
spongos a catch of 5000, or of the smaller
ones I, 800, would be considered a fair lot.
Occasionally a cargo Of from 1900 to 1900
large sponges has been brought in. but this
success is exceptional.
The principal varieties gathered in the
Bahamas are az follows: Boat, grass, glove,
hardhead, reef white and dark, velvet
(abaco and oay), sheep, wool, and yellow,
Of which the most valuble is sheep wool.
Tho total export in 1890 reached over $780,
600 pounds, valued at $306, 1896. The crop
of that year was above tho average, being
really the most valuable one in many years.
OF that crop there we're shipped to the United
States 7OS,OOO, valued at 1926, 900. Bahama
sponges are not considered very good, but a
ready market is found for all than can be
obtained, and at constantly improving
prices. There are no Indications of any
failure of the supply. @