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Divers pearl fishing in shark cages
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Divers pearl fishing in shark cages
Divers in shark cages pearl fishing. Day & Haghe Lithographers to the Queen. S. Bendixen Lith. Date: 1838
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Media ID 14413417
© Mary Evans Picture Library/Ins. of Civil Engineers
1838 Cage Cages Dive Diver Divers Dives Fishermen Haghe Lithographers Pearl Shark Underwater Bendixen
Divers in Shark Cages Pearl Fishing,
EDITORS COMMENTS
an intriguing lithograph from 1838, captures the thrilling and perilous world of pearl diving in shark-infested waters. The image, produced by the renowned Day & Haghe Lithographers to the Queen and lithographed by S. Bendixen, offers a glimpse into the past of this daring occupation. The scene unfolds beneath the surface of the ocean, where several divers, clad in heavy suits and armed with spears, are seen inside protective cages suspended from the surface. Their faces are focused intently on the pearl-rich oysters that line the ocean floor, oblivious to the circling sharks that lurk menacingly just beyond the cage bars. The divers' attendants, also dressed in protective gear, stand ready on the deck of a small boat, tending to the ropes and winches that control the cages' ascent and descent. The intricate details of the lithograph reveal the advanced techniques used by pearl divers of the time to minimize the risks of encounters with sharks. The use of shark cages, which had been in use since the late 18th century, allowed divers to access the ocean floor for longer periods and collect larger quantities of pearls than was previously possible. Despite the inherent dangers, pearl fishing in shark-infested waters remained an alluring and lucrative pursuit. The lure of the precious pearls, which could fetch exorbitant prices in Europe, drew divers from all corners of the world to the pearl beds of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Mannar. The image captures the spirit of adventure and the determination of these intrepid divers, who braved the perils of the deep to bring forth the beauty of the ocean's treasures.
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