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Circa 1906. "Sponge yard along the docks. Nassau, Bahama Islands." 8x10 inch dry plate glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
The Bahama Islands, 1905,
George Burbank ShattuckThe Sponge-Fishery
This is considered the most important industry in the Bahama Islands. … The method of securing and preparing the sponges for market is simple. A sponging schooner cruises over the shallow banks where the sponges grow and sends out its small boats with a man and boy in each. The man lies in the bow of the boat with a water-glass in one hand and a long sponge hook in the other. The boy stands in the stern to scull and guide the boat. As soon as a sponge of the proper quality and size is discovered on the bottom, the fisherman drops his hook, and by a dexterous movement of the wrist and arm detaches the sponge and lands it safely in the boat. At intervals the boatmen land on unfrequented keys and throw the sponges on shore where the organisms are killed and decayed by the heat of the tropical sun. They are then rinsed out thoroughly in sea water, dried, sorted, and packed in bales for shipment.
Sponges are square, yellow and wear shorts.
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