ABUSE OF THE SCAPHANDER IN THE SPONGE FISHERIES. 525 
The commander of the Kreta in 1903, Petros Zotos, obtained under oath names 
of 24 divers deceased in that year. This commander learned, moreover, from a 
reliable source, that 40 other divers, whose names he could not get, had died. 
He is of the opinion that of the goo divers who work under the Greek flag in 140 
scaphanders more than 100 died within the period of one summer cruise (from 
March to October), that the others all but a few ‘‘are either crippled already or 
will soon be so and absolutely incapable of any other work.’”’ My experience of 
many years confirms the opinion of Captain Zotos. 
Savvas republishes in his report the already mentioned circular of the 
Greek Naval Office of April 12-24, 1896, on the precautions to be taken by the 
divers. This had never been enforced, a fact which has made the Greek Gov- 
ernment since 1900 detail a war-ship each summer for the protection and assist- 
ance of the sponge fishermen. Savvas finds even this measure insufficient, 
however, without a special law, observing that— 
The measures of the rapidly succeeding governments have unfortunately but a very 
small effect upon the sponge fishing conducted with diving machines. It is absolutely 
necessary to take more effective and thorough measures, and such ought to be inaugu- 
rated by a special law for the purpose of limiting the evil. 
The measures recommended by Savvas are divided into three classes, (I) 
financial, (II) administrative, and (III) sanitary. 
I. The captains of sponge-fishing vessels borrow, at very high interest, a 
considerable sum which is to be paid back to the lender at the end of six months. 
In order to obtain sufficient sponges to be able to pay back the borrowed sum 
with the interest and, moreover, to support themselves and their families, they 
employ a comparatively small number of divers, who must work very hard and 
risk every danger. The captains exhibit a change of attitude as the fishing 
season advances. Until their indebtedness has been covered by the number of 
sponges obtained, they spare the divers, but after this the latter are driven to 
extremest effort for the captain’s personal gain before the end of the season 
shall have come. Savvas proposes, accordingly, to decrease as much as possible 
the borrowed sum and the interest, which amounts each year to from 24 to 36 
percent. The prices of provisions for the crew and for the vessel’s supplies are 
exorbitant, but the captain is obliged to accept; otherwise he does not obtain 
the necessary loan. Savvas would, therefore, as a first financial measure, de- 
crease the interest to 10 per cent and 12 per cent, and allow the captains to pur- 
chase the provisions and other necessaries where most advantageous to them. 
Savvas does not discuss the question of source of the capital for the enterprise, 
whether to be supplied by banks or otherwise; but he deplores the advancing of 
money by the captains to the divers, since the latter spend it in orgies which are 
harmful, not only because the money is uselessly spent, but also because the 
physique of the divers, weakened by dissipation, is much more readily the prey 
