THE SPONGE FISHERY. 839 



10. THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE NEW YORK SPONGE TRADE. 



The following interesting account of the introduction of Florida sponges into this country and 

 the subsequent growth of that industry, in connection with the introduction of Bahama sponges 

 into France, is furnished by Mr. A. Isaacs, of New York, the oldest regular sponge .dealer in the 

 United States: 



About the year 1840, a brother-in-law of Mr. Isaacs, Mr. Hayman, of Paris, who had been 

 traveling in the United States and West Indies, sailed from Jamaica for Europe, but was wrecked 

 on one of the Bahama Islands, near Nassau. Being detained there for some time, awaiting a 

 vessel to carry him home, his attention was attracted by the great number of sponges in use 

 among the natives, all of which, he was informed, came from the waters surrounding the island. 

 Although wholly unacquainted with the sponge industry, and not knowing what might be the 

 value of Bahama sponges in a country where the Mediterranean sponges had long been used, he 

 decided to carry some home with him and to place them upon the market. Accordingly, when he 

 sailed, he took with him about 500 or GOO selected specimens, which cost him from 5 to 10 cents a 

 pound. He had no difficulty in disposing of them, and at once made arrangements through the 

 French consul at Nassau for additional supplies. 



Mr. Isaacs became associated with Mr. Hayman in the Paris house, but after remaining with 

 him about seven years, or until 1849, he came to New York to engage in the same business, 

 which, lie was informed, had not yet received a start in this country. It was his intention to deal 

 only in Bahama sponges, as he had done in Paris, but at that time he knew nothing of the value 

 of the Florida sponges, and scarcely of their existence. When he arrived in New York, he found 

 thct no regular importation of Mediterranean sponges had yet begun, but the trade had been 

 carried on in a very small way to supply the druggists with the finer qualities, for which only was 

 there then a demand. He also learned that Bahama sponges were not regularly imported, the best 

 quality selling for only 10 cents a pound, and that several cargoes of sponges from the southern 

 part of Florida had been brought to New York, but had found no sale. There was thus presented 

 to him every indication of a good opening in an important and profitable industry, which he 

 determined to start himself. 



After he had been in the country over a year, he ascertained that the shipping firm of 8. B. 

 Fish & Co., in South street, New York, had received sometime before a large quantity of Florida 

 sponges, which they could not dispose of at any price. He visited their storehouse and found 

 two lofts filled with loose Florida sponges, which a careful inspection showed him to be, if 

 anything, superior to the Bahama sponges, in which he had dealt in Paris. The Messrs. Fish & 

 Co., were about to throw the entire lot away, as they had no use for them, and glad to dispose of 

 them at any sum, allowed Mr. Isaacs to set his own price. He gave them from 8 to 15 cents a 

 pound, according to quality, and soon afterwards went to Key West to arrange for regular 

 supplies. He was recommended to the same parties in Key West that had sent the sponges to 

 Fish & Co., and found them willing to accept his own price in order to start a trade, from which 

 they had previously realized nothing. He offered them 22 cents for the best grade, or sheepswool 

 sponges, delivered in New York, and lower prices for the several inferior grades, and his offer 

 was accepted. 



Mr. Isaacs also began at the same time the importation of Mediterranean and Bahama 

 sponges. For fourteen years he continued in the sponge trade in New York City without compe- 

 tition, but since then several other large houses have started, and now six principal firms deal in 

 Florida as well as foreign sponges, while two others limit themselves entirely to importing the 

 European varieties. 



