Apalachicola’s Sponge Industry

Apalachicola’s Sponge Industry. . From the mid 1870's to the early decades of the twentieth century, the sponge industry was one of Apalachicola's most lucrative fisheries. By 1895, there were two sponge warehouses, a fleet of 16 sponge harvesting boats and approximately 100 men employed by this industry. , , The first sponge vessels were sent from Apalachicola in 1870. The vessels of the Apalachicola fleet were typically small schooners, which would spend about a month on each harvesting trip. There were 16 boats in the fleet in 1879, with combined crews totaling 84 men. Each vessel carried a few small dinghies, usually locally-built boats from 2-15 feet in length. Two men worked each dinghy, one slowly sculling the boat as the other sited and hooked the catch. Sponge glasses were used to view the sea floor. These were wooden boxes or buckets with a glass bottom, often worn around the neck. Placed on the surface of the water a person looking through the glass could more clearly spot sponges on the bottom. Sponges were brought to the surface with a tindled, three-pronged iron hook. Upon arrival back at port, the sponges were unloaded onto the wharf and purchased by a sponge buyer and sold almost exclusively to New York buyers. , , Between the years 1850 and 1900 there was a worldwide demand for Florida sponges. At its peak in 1901, the industry in Apalachicola brought in $20,000 but by 1903, the market had declined drastically. Commercial sponge harvesting between Cape San Blas and St. Marks reopened in recent years and locally harvested sponges are available. Modern sponge divers still use the air hose method pioneered by Greek divers in the 19th century but sustainable harvesting methods, based on an understanding of the biology of these marine animals, are used. , (captions) , Top: Apalachicola Sponge Warehouse. Far Left: During the late 1800s, Apalachicola's sponge industry was a lucrative fishery. Left: Apalachicola once boasted a fleet of 16 sponge vessels. Photos courtesy Florida State Archives , , Below and right: One of the original sponge warehouses built in 1840 remains in Apalachicola's historic downtown district. , Scan the code to read more Apalachicola history at www.Cityoapalachicola.com