The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-08-11
Makes Work Dangerous at this
Time of Year.
NEARLY ALL VESSELS ENGAGED
IN THE BUSINESS HAVE
CEASED OPERATIONS - PRICE
OF sPoNGES so LOW THAT
FISHING FOR THEM rs UN
PROFITABLE.

The big fleet of sponge fishing
schooners and machine boats which
sailed from Pensacola some months
ago for Tarpon Springs and points
In that vicinity to engage in sponge
fishing. are beginning to return to
Port, and by the end of the coming
week it is expected that many of the
vessels and all of the men will be
back in Pensacola, where they will
remain for several months.
Sponge fishing in the gulf waters
has ceased until October or Novem-
Der, owing to the fact that the hurri-
cane season is now approaching and
the sponge fishers do not dare to be
caught on the gulf in their small
boats, especially when some of their
number may be fifteen or twenty
fathoms under the water. cropping
about the bottom in a diving suit
When divers venture down at this
season OF the year very close watch
is kept of the clouds, and If there
is the least sign of the formation of
storm the diver is brought to the sur.
face in a hurry.
All of the Pensacola sponge fisher.
men have decided to do no fishing
during the hurricane season and are
coming home on every train. Some
Nf fhn;
TarpOu Springs, which is about the
nearest port to the sponge banks, and
are coming by rail, while others are
coming around by water in their
boats, which will remain here for
the next three months. One or two OF
these have recently arrived, the st.
a machine fishing boat, ar
irving yesterday. Those who have ar
rived say that the entire fleet is pre-
pairing to get away
The fleet from Pensacola engaged
in sponge fishing is composed of
about eighteen boats and over one
hundred men most Of whom are
Greeks. Most OF the boats are equip
ped with diving apparatus which is
very costly, and which make it COM
paratively easy to get the very finest
sponges from the bottom of the gulf
while heretofore with only tongs
those engaged in this business caught
only small ones, being unable to fish
in deep water.
Many of the Greek sponge fisher
men came here during the early sum-
mer from the Mediterranean grounds.
where sponging has about stopped
owing to the restrictions being placed
upon the catch, and also owing to the
scarcity. Many boats were fitted out
and sailed for the gulf grounds
where the quantity is almost un.
limited
There is very little profit in taking
sponges now. according to those who
are Interested in the business, owing
% the combination formed among the
buyers, but they hope that the fact
hat no spOnges are to be taken dur
ng the next three months will have
tendency TO cause the price 10 rise
Until 1t will be profitable business.
Last year, according TO the men,
'ponges sold at from $1,000 to $1,000
per bunch, and at this price good
money could be made by a boat. as
! crew consists of about twelve or
fifteen men. This year, however, the
consumers or wholesale buyers have
'orced the price down until it stands
Vt $40 per bunch. AT this figure
| boat can hardly pay expenses
If the catch is not
good. The men are In hopes that the
price will advance about $500 per
bunch during the course of the next
.hree months and believe that II will
rs there will be but few of the nun
lred or more boats engaged in the
business that will attempt to take
,ponges during this period.