Sponging for a Living Part 2
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “The sponge is known to all the world for its remarkable absorbing power, so let’s imitate the sponge and absorb a few things of interest about this unfamiliar industry.” Small boy holding huge sponge, showing another shape and size of sponge. “Out there beneath the surface of the warm tropical sea are the sponges, clinging grimly to their fond homes as if anticipating this gathering of the sponge fisher’s fleet.” Fleet of fishing boats on beach, crews bustling about - boats under way. “Like a mother with her brood of little ducklings, are the sailboat and the small dories that operate from her.” Sailboat, two-man dories tossing on waves. “Glass bottom buckets enable the spongers to see clearly their progress in loosening the sponge with the long, three pronged, poles used for that purpose.” Workers fishing from dories using glass bottomed buckets and poles - sponges spread out to dry, workers, horse-drawn cart - workers trimming sponges. “To remove the irregular and torn parts, with minimum waste, requires the work of expert ‘clippers.’” Negro women workers trimming sponges. “Propagating a sponge on a cement disc. In eighteen months the seed becomes 25 times its original size.” Sponge displayed at several stages of growth. “Sponges of the same size and quality are baled almost dry under a pressure of from 15 to 60 pounds. Two thirds of the world’s supply in weight, come from America.” Worker wrapping bale of sponges - stacking bales. “Sponging for a living.” Row of automobiles in long building, workers washing them with sponges - worker using sponge and bucket of water to wash horse. “The End.” “Ford Educational Library.” Large quantity of sponges in shallow water, worker picking them up, squeezing them. “After all the living matter has been removed the sponges are dried, cleansed by hand, sorted according to kinds and arranged in piles.” Workers removing sponges from dory, dipping them in water, beating them with sticks, throwing them on shore - workers preparing sponges, hut in background. “‘Sponging for a living is a lonesome old job unless the spongers are all ashore,’ said the watchman of the land of sponges.” Workmen sitting in front of thatch hut - large group sitting around. “The sponges are now ready for market. The buyers assemble and proceed from pile to pile, bidding on each separately. The highest bidder takes the lot.” Group moving among piles of sponges. “The buyers then forward the newly purchased supply to their respective packing and warehouses.” Workers, piles of sponges - workers filling horse-drawn cart with sponges. [1921]
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