THE SPONGE FISHERY. 827 



amount of provisions on board influencing their stay on the "grounds." The results of the trips 

 vary quite as much as with other fishing-vessels, fair winds, clear water, experience, and skill, all 

 being indispensable to success. On some trips hardly enough sponges are secured to pay expenses; 

 on others the men's shares amount to fair wages, and again they will share several hundred dollars 

 for four to six weeks' work . On an average they make rather more than almost any other class of 

 fishermen. 



The share arrangements are as follows : On Apalachicola vessels, the owners of vessels furnish 

 the whole outfit, pay one-third of the provision bill, and receive one-third of the net proceeds of 

 the trip, leaving the crew to pay two-thirds of the provision bill and to share two thirds of the net 

 proceeds. When the members of the crew are not equally experienced and expert, the best men, 

 such as the captain, cook, and the "hookers" draw whole shares and the others half or three- 

 quarters of a share each. The captain usually receives additional remuneration from the owners. 

 On Key West vessels the owners furnish thecomplete outfit including provisions, and take one-half of 

 the result of the trip, thus leaving a clear half to be divided equally among the crew. The captains 

 are paid a certain commission by the owners. As an illustration of the profits sometimes made in 

 this fishery it may not be out of place to mention here one or two successful trips. During the 

 winter of 1879-'80, the schooner Competitor, of Key West, of 44 tons, carrying about eighteen 

 men, made a trip of eight weeks and stocked $4,200. The same season the schooner Lone Star, 

 of Key West, 15 tons, carrying seven men, made a six or seven weeks' trip, and stocked $1,935, 

 and many others did quite as well. During the month of January, 1880, the spongers had unprec- 

 edented success having brought in large loads of fine deep-water sponges that sold for two dollars 

 and more per pound for the best quality (sheepswool) ; before that, the average price had been one 

 dollar per pound for the first quality. 



As soon as a vessel arrives in port with a catch the sponges are carried on shore and piled on 

 the wharf, each variety or quality by itself. At Apalachicola, where there is but one dealer, they 

 are inspected and purchased at any time during the day that is most convenient to him, but at 

 Key West, where there are several dealers, there are certain times for inspecting and other times 

 for buying these lots. During the forenoon the dealers examine them carefully, and cleverly esti- 

 mate their worth by eye and touch in handling them. They are so expert that they can correctly 

 judge the weight of a bunch of sponges by lifting it, and know perfectly the valua of textures by 

 sight ; it is remarkable to see the accurate judgment of several of the largest purchasers. A choice 

 lot being offered, each party separately examines it and makes a bid, and very often a party of 

 three or more purchasers will not vary ten pounds in a lot of several hundred pounds, and the 

 amounts offered will not vary five dollars. As they go over the lots they place a value upon them 

 of which they keep a record on paper. During the afternoon when all the spongers are on shore 

 for the day, a man sells them at auction, lot by lot, to those whose papers show the highest bids. 

 Cash is paid at once, and the crews are not delayed in getting their shares, but are able to start 

 off on another trip in about a week from the time of their arrival. 



The principal varieties sold in these markets are called " sheepswool," " yellow," and " grass ', 

 sponges. The "sheepswool" sponge is the best quality; its texture is fine, soft, and very strong, 

 and it sells for from $1.25 to $3 per pound, the average price being about $1.75 per pound for 

 the best quality. The "yellow" sponge is of fine but not strong texture, and is not so soft and 

 durable as the variety just named. It sells for 25, 30, or 40 cents per pound. The " grass" sponge is 

 of very fine and hard texture, but is not durable and is usually so irregular in shape that it is torn 

 easily. It does not sell for any set price per pound, and the few that come to market are sold by 



