The Native American

PEARL FISHING IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

[From Wellsted's Travels in Arabia.]

The pearl bank extends from Sharia to Bildulph's Group. The bottom is of shelly sand and broken coral, and the depths vary from five to fifteen fathoms. The right of fishing on the bank is common, but altercations between rival tribes are not unfrequent. Should the presence of a vessel of war prevent them from settling these disputes on the spot, they are generally decided on the islands where they land to open their oysters. In order to check such quarrels, which, if permitted, would lead to general confusion, two government vessels are usually cruising on the bank.

Their boats are of various sizes, and of various construction, averaging from ten to fifty tons. During one season it is computed that the island of Bahrein furnishes, of all sizes, three thousand five hundred; the Persian coast, one hundred; and the space between Bahrein and the entrance to the Gulf, including the Pirate Coast, seven hundred. The value of the pearls obtained at these several ports is estimated at forty lacs of dollars, or four hundred thousand pounds. Their boats carry a crew varying from eight to forty men, and the number of mariners thus employed, at the height of the season, is rather above thirty thousand. None receive any definite wages, but each has a share of the profits upon the whole. A small tax is also levied on each boat by the Sheikh of the port to which it belongs. During this period they live on dates and fish, of which the latter are numerous and good, and to such meagre diet our small presents of rice were a most welcome addition. Where polypi abound, they envelope themselves in a white garment; but in general, with the exception of a cloth around their waist, they are perfectly naked. When about to proceed to business, they divide themselves into two parties, one of which remains in the boat to hand up the others who are engaged in diving. The latter having provided themselves with a small basket, jump overboard, and place their feet on the stone, to which a line is attached. Upon a given signal this is let go, and they sink with it to the bottom. When the oysters are thickly clustered, eight or ten may be procured at each descent; the line is then jerked, and the person stationed in the boat hauls the diver up with as much rapidity as possible. The period during which they can remain under water has been much overrated; one minute is the average, and I never knew them, but on one occasion, to exceed a minute and a half. Accidents do not very frequently occur from sharks, but the sawfish (the Antiguorum of Linnæus) is much dreaded. Instances were related to me where the divers had been completely cut in two by these monsters, which attain, in the Persian Gulf, a far larger size than in any other part of the world where I have met with them. As the character of this fish may not be familiar to the general reader, I will add a few words in the way of description. They are of an oblong rounded form, their head being somewhat flattened from the fore part, and tapering more abruptly towards the tail. They usually measure from thirteen to fifteen feet in length, being covered with a coriaceous skin, of a dark color above, but white beneath. The terrific weapon from whence they derive their name, is a flat projecting snout, six feet in length, four inches in breadth, armed on either side with spines resembling the teeth of a shark.

'Diving is considered very detrimental to health, and without doubt it shortens the life of those who much practice it. In order to aid the retention of the breath, the diver places a piece of elastic horn over his nostrils, which binds them closely together. He does not enter the boat each time he rises to the surface, ropes being attached to the side, to which he clings, until he has obtained breath for another attempt. As soon as the fishermen have filled their boats they proceed to some of the islands with which the bank is studded, and there, with mast, oars, and sails, construct their tents. They estimate the unopened oysters at two dollars a hundred.'