Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-09-11
SPONGIN6 IN BAHAMA.
rur METHOD or GATHERING AND
PREPARING FOR MARsGT.


Ar chisdy Blacks and Aess'of 1AsA
-, Pretty small Pay-rhs sPsngss
san N \ Good Price However.
Consul Thomas J. McLain OF the
Tinted States consulate at Nassau. IN
the Bahama islands, in response to the
direction of the state department. has
furnished an interesting paper on the
ponge trade Of the Bahamas, in which
the yalue of the industry and the meth
dds of catching the sponges are given
The vessels employed in thestrade arc
small. varying from five to TWENTY-FIVE
tons, sloop or Schooner risged. and are
built in the local shipyards- The CON
struction and repair of these vessels con-
stitute an important industry in itself
They have small cabins for sleeping pur-
poses. The cooking is done on deck.
About 500 OF these vessels are engaged
in gathering sponges.
The number of persons gathering
sponses In the Bahamas, handling them
and preparing them in various stages for
market. is from 5000 to 5000, all Of
whom. except the shipowners, brokers
and shippers. are black people. Hands
employed in clipping, washing, packing
and preparing finally for shipment
abroad get from fifty to seventy-fve
cents per day of ten hours. The amount
earned by the men who go fishing de-
ponds entirely on the number Of sponges
obtained.
The owner Of the vessel fits her out at
his own expense. and the profits Of the
voyage are 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 be said. is that the men
make tolerable living, and the sponge
fisherman Mo earns over $500 a year is
the exception.
HOW sPoNoEs ARE GATHERED.
The method of gathering sponges is by
means of iron hooks attached to long
poles. By using waterglass the fisher
man can readily discover the sponges at
the bottom, and then by the pole and
hook can bring up those he may select,
leaving the 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 roll
ers."
About ten years ago an attempt was
made to introduce dredges, 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 well, kill
ing the spawn and working great mis-
chief. Such an outcry was raised against
dredging that an act was passed forbid
ding it.
When brought to the vessel the
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 is black, gelatinous sub
stance of very low order of marine life,
which, during the process of decay,
emits a most Objectionable odor.
The vessels visit what is called the
kraal once a week to land the load from
the deck. The kraal is an inclosed pen,
fenced in by sticks of wood SO as to al
low free circulation Of water through
it, usually built in sheltered and shall
low bay or cove. on one of the Gays near
by
THE CROP OF 1890.
The sponges 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. Having been sub
jected to this course of exposure, soak
ing. beating and washing the sponges
are quite clean and are taken on board
the vessel, packed in the hold, conveyed
to Nassau, and in this condition are sold
in the local market.
OF the larger sponges catch of 5000
or of the smaller ones $500. would be
considered fair lot. Occasionally a
cargo Of from 10000 to 5000 large
sponges has been brought in, but this
success is exceptional.
The principal varieties gathered in the
Bahamas are as follows: Boat, grass,
glove, hardhead, reef white and dark,
velvet (abaco and cay, sheep wool, and
yellow, of which the most valuable is
sheep wool. The total export in 1890
reached over 100000 pounds, valued at
1906, s96. The crop of that year was
above the average, being really the most
valuable one in many years.
OF that crop there were shipped to the
United States 70s.OO0, valued at $238, 900.
Bahama sponges are not considered'very |
good, but ready market is found for |
hot ha obi ain nd nj
stantly improving prices. There are no
indications of any failure Of the supply.
Philadelphia Ledger.