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AMERICAN PEARLS
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whom
are more or less dependent on the pearl fishery. It presents an
attractive picture, with the cocoanut-palms extending down almost to
the water's edge, and the high mountains forming a background. The low,
stone houses, the tile roofs, the plaza with tropical trees, and the
beautiful flower beds under perennial sunny skies, give it a quaint
appearance. The most conspicuous objects from the harbor are the large
old warehouses, with thick walls and iron-barred windows, for the
storage of the pearls and the shells. During the season, from April to
November, the arrival and departure of the pearling vessels presents a
scene of great animation.
The
present methods of the fishery on the Mexican coast are quite different
from those of thirty years ago when nude diving was the only method in
vogue. Instead of the haphazard work, largely in shallow water, the
industry is conducted systematically, and the limit of depth is
increased, much of the diving being in depths of ten to fifteen
fathoms. The fishermen operate either from a large vessel making a
cruise two or three months in length, or from a camp on the shore near
the reefs. A vessel visits them frequently to furnish supplies and to
transport the catch to La Paz. The fishing boats are undecked craft,
each equipped with an air-pump and a crew of six men: a diver, acabo de vida or life-line man, who is usually the captain, two bomberos at the air-pump, and two rowers.
The
greatest depth at which armored diving is attempted in Mexico rarely
exceeds twenty fathoms ; twenty-five fathoms is fully as deep as it is
practicable to go, and it is not advisable to remain at that depth more
than a very few minutes. At fifteen fathoms a diver may remain half an
hour or more, and at six or eight fathoms he may work uninterruptedly
for several hours. When the water is very cold, the diver comes up
frequently to restore his numbed circulation by vigorous rubbing. The
occupation is especially conducive to rheumatism, and paralysis is more
or less general, due, not only to the compressed atmosphere, but to
the abrupt changes of temperature. The work is very debilitating, with
particular effect on the nerves, and partial deafness is common. It is
important that the diver be careful about overeating before descending,
as heavy foods, and meats especially, make respiration difficult;
therefore, breakfast consists of little more than bread and coffee. The
risks and dangers from sharks, devil-fish, etc., have greatly
diminished since the introduction of scaphanders ; for a stout diver in
his waterproof dress, with leads on the breast, shoulders, and shoes,
and on his head a massive helmet containing great gaping windows for
eyes, is enough to cause even a hungry shark to hesitate and to seek a
more digestible meal.
There are yet many nude divers in Mexico, who operate in shallow
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