174 "^h.^ Commercial Products of the Sea. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE SPONGE FISHERY OF THE BAHAMAS. 



The Bahamas sponge grounds — Statistics of the fishery— Gathering and cleaning 

 the sponge — Eleven sorts specified — Value of the exports from Bahamas — 

 New uses for sponge — Bleaching sponges — Reproduction and trans- 

 planting sponges. 



Bahamas Sponge. — About 500 vessels are constantly 

 engaged in the trade, 3000 men find employment, and 

 through it ;^2O,000 to ;^30,ooo sterling are annually circu- 

 lated and spent in the colony. 



The great sponging grounds lie to the east, west, and 

 south of New Providence. Although often far from the 

 shore, and at a depth of 20, 40, or even 60 feet, it can 

 easily be descried through the transparent waters on the 

 clear sandy bottoms, from which it is raked or grappled up. 



From William's Cay, Andros Island, the fine qualities 

 of glove sponge are obtained. This kind is used principally 

 for surgical purposes, and is sent generally to America, 

 as the Mediterranean supplies Europe with this description 

 of sponge. 



The process of cleaning the sponge here is very simple. 

 It is kept on the decks of the vessel until it is quite dead, 

 when it is thrown into a " crawl " made for the purpose. 



