824 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



of these were Americans and a large percentage negroes ; the remainder were either from the 

 British West Indies or of unknown origin. In addition to the vessels described above, there are 

 many small boats which fish for sponges about the reefs. 



The Key West vessels are divided into two distinct fleets, one called the "Bay Fleet" being 

 composed of the larger vessels that cruise on that part of the coast lying between Anclote Keys 

 and Saint Mark's, and the other called the "Keef Fleet" consisting entirely of the smaller vessels 

 that gather sponges on the reefs from Key West to Cape Florida. The vessels of the bay fleet 

 are gone from home from one to three months according to their capacity and the success of their 

 cruise, while those of the reef fleet are absent from one to two weeks only. 



The bay fleet vessels send out two men with each dingy, one to scull and one to hook the 

 sponges, but those fishing ou the reefs assign only one man to a dingy, and he can easily manage 

 both the sculling and the hooking as the reef areas are smooth, clear, and shoal, and the currents 

 not strong. 



THE APALACHIOOLA FLEET. The vessels engaged in the sponge fishery from this port are 

 all of small size and light draught, and are mostly schooner-rigged in the ordinary American 

 style. Many of them were formerly owned in Pensacola or New Orleans, where they were prob- 

 ably built, while others were built up from large ship's boats, and small yachts. 



Taken as a class they are rough and homely, and rather poor sailers, thus contrasting 

 strongly with the Key West fleet. The total number of vessels in the Apalachicola fleet in 1879 

 was sixteen, one being sloop-rigged, the remainder schooner-rigged; they ranged in size from 5| 

 to 36i tons, the total measurement amounting to 154f tons. The combined crews numbered 84 

 men. 



In addition to this fleet of vessels there were a few small open boats engaged in sponging 

 from Apalachicola, which were not entered upon the custom-house books. The estimated value 

 of the sixteen vessels of the regular sponging fleet was $10,700, or at the rate of about $71.30 per 

 ton ; and of the small open boats about $800. The outfit of these sponging vessels consisted of 

 some forty diugies (two or three to each vessel), valued at $35 each, or $1,400 for the entire num- 

 ber; and of sponge-hooks and sponge-glasses, estimated to be worth about $100. The total 

 amount of capital iuvested in the sponge industry at Apalachicola in 1879 was, therefore, about 

 $13,000. 



4. METHOD OF CONDUCTING THE SPONGE FISHERY. 



GENERAL ACCOUNT, INCLUDING KEY WEST. The Florida sponge fishery may be carried 

 on throughout nearly the entire year, providing the weather continues favorable. The principal 

 season for work is from May or June until the last of August, for during that period the water is 

 generally smoother and clearer than at other periods; but it sometimes happens that the best 

 conditions of water occur in winter, and at such times the fishery can be conducted with great 

 success. The winter sponge fishery, when it can be carried on continuously, is said to be even 

 more profitable than the summer, for the fishermen claim that sponges average larger in the 

 winter than in the summer, though they cannot account for the fact. Decomposition does not 

 begin in cold weather for three or four days after the sponges are taken. During the usually 

 stormy months of September, October, and March, nearly all the vessels are laid up, for the 

 owners, being unable to insure them, are unwilling to risk them off the coast for such long 

 periods when heavy gales may spring up at any time. 



At the commencement of a fishing season, the owners of vessels appoint their captains, who, 

 iu turn, select their crews. As soon as the crew ami outfit of a vessel are ready, it sails from port 



