450 The Commercial Products of the Sea. 



ranges from 200,000 to 250,000 lbs. It is chiefly found 

 in the shallow waters near Carloforte, Alghero, a province 

 situated on the west coast, and the island of Maddalena. At 

 Alghero, where the growth of coral is the most plentiful, 

 about 190 vessels, manned by 1930 sailors, are employed 

 in the fishery from March till October. 



This industry annually acquires larger importance, 

 and the fishing is prosecuted with increased energy. The 

 greater part of the boats employed are Italian, and they 

 take to Genoa, Leghorn, and Naples their produce, which 

 forms one of the principal branches of the trade of the 

 peninsula. 



The barks sent to the fishing are solid and well adapted 

 for the labour ; their rig is a great lateen sail and a jib or 

 stay-sail. The stern is reserved for the capstan, the fishers, 

 and the crew. The fore part of the vessel is fitted for the 

 requirements of the patron or master. 



The lines, wood, and irons employed in the coral 

 fisheries are called the engine. It consists of a cross of 

 wood formed of two bars, strongly lashed or bolted 

 together at their centre ; below this a great stone is 

 attached which bears the lines, arranged in the form of 

 a sack. These lines have great meshes, loosely knotted 

 together, resembling the well-known swab. The apparatus 

 carries 30 of these sacks, which are intended to grapple all 

 they come in contact with at the bottom of the sea. They 

 are spread out in all directions by the movement of the 

 boat. The coral is known to attach itself to the summit of 

 a rock and to develop itself, forming banks there, and it is 

 to these rocks that the swab attaches itself so as to tear up 

 the precious harvest. Experience, which in time becomes 

 almost intuitive, guides the Italian fisher in discovering the 

 coral banks. The craft employed in the great fishery have 



