* ; Apparatus ' ' Boats — Swimming Divers. 197 



gropes about the bottom in search of pearl shell. The work is 

 carried on at depths varying between five and sixteen fathoms, 

 and in order to provide against accidents from inequalities in the 

 bottom, as well as to allow the diver greater freedom in his move- 

 ments, the length of the pipes connecting his dress with the air 

 pump is usually twice the mean depth of the water in which he is 

 working. The signal rope is of a similar length, so that it may 

 be used for hauling up the shell-bag which the diver fills from 

 time to time, without his having to release the end attached to his 

 body, or to make use of a second line. The bag is therefore 

 attached about the middle of the line. 



When diving apparatus was first used in Torres Straits, white 

 divers were exclusively employed, and at the same time the 

 Kanakas continued to work as " swimming divers " in the tedious 

 old-fashioned way. As soon, however, as the Kanakas were tried 

 in the diving dresses, it was found that they were far superior to 

 any professional white divers, for not only could they remain 

 much longer under water, but they were also able to move about 

 on the bottom more independently, and to dispense altogether 

 with the weighted rope ladder which the white divers used to look 

 upon as essential. Since the introduction of boats fitted with 

 diving apparatus, the pearl shell trade of Torres Straits has 

 become highly remunerative, and the export of shells has increased 

 enormously. 



The shells obtained are classified into two qualities : firstly, 

 young shells, known to the trade as " chicken shell," which are 

 the most valuable, and average about 2,000 to the ton ; and 

 secondly, adult shells, about 700 of which weigh one ton. It is 

 calculated that the annual take of a single boat is about seven 

 tons, of which five tons cover the outlay, and two tons may be 

 reckoned as clear profit. The value per ton has a wide. range, 

 varying according to the state of the home market, and may be 

 estimated at from £100 to £300. The number of boats employed 

 last year was 100. In the year 1878, shells to the weight of 



