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[[annotation in top margin in red]] Nassau [[/annotation]]
who are either British or American Jews. Sponges are mostly Velvet sponges rather round and big about 7 to 8" diameter then the more valuable wool-sponges, and the inferior grass sponges with some smaller reef-sponges. 
Andros Island seems a favorite field, but only small boats can reach there on account of shallow water. Spongers remain away one or two months. Schooner bring in a catch of as much as 200 pounds. Many are grub-staked or owned by Curry the passenger agent of the Steam ship lines. Best sponges found here in 3 to 4 fathoms. Hull of boats is of "horse-flesh" wood, a native wood
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133
[[annotation in top margin in red]] Nassau [[/annotation]]
very tough, and firm are made of [[strikethrough]] nimb [[/strikethrough]] native mahogany or lignum vitae. American oak does not stand well. Boats hull must be copper painted every two or three months altho' teredo does not seem to exist here so abundantly nor destructive as in Florida waters.
Length of small schooners is about 30-50 feet overall sail plan very similar to that of Cheasapeake boats. Some of the schooners have for and aft gaff sails. Leg of mutton have top-halyard fastened to a board as per sketch, distributing strain on peak more regularly.
[[image: drawing of board with rounded top with circle at peak]]
Pilot boats
[[vertical annotation in left margin]] All use tillers on rudder [[/vertical annotation]]