BROOME PEARLS
One of the most popular trades in Broome, Australia, is their pearl industry. Broome became famous for their pearls and now has one of the largest concentration of pearl farms.
Our visit in Broome would not be complete without an explanation of this formerly risky trade.
Japanese divers wore dive equipment that weighed nearly 100kg as they walked the sea bottom in search of oysters with hopefully a pearl. Several divers lost their lives in trying to provide for their families back home in their country.
Our group visited Willie Creek Pearls for a discussion on the current pearl industry, now all pearl farms, and the transformation of pearling from the early days to now.
Fun fact: modern day wet suits did not arrive in Broome before 1973 even though they were first invented in 1952! So Broome divers were still wearing the heavy equipment up until that time.
We stopped at the Japanese Cemetery as part of our tour. Initially we all thought it was from a role played during the wars but in fact it is for Japanese divers and crew who lost their lives with the pearl industry. Their tombstones are made from limestone but are slowly being replaced by marble ones.
Our visit in Broome would not be complete without an explanation of this formerly risky trade.
Japanese divers wore dive equipment that weighed nearly 100kg as they walked the sea bottom in search of oysters with hopefully a pearl. Several divers lost their lives in trying to provide for their families back home in their country.
Our group visited Willie Creek Pearls for a discussion on the current pearl industry, now all pearl farms, and the transformation of pearling from the early days to now.
Fun fact: modern day wet suits did not arrive in Broome before 1973 even though they were first invented in 1952! So Broome divers were still wearing the heavy equipment up until that time.
Pearl Farm oyster line
quality is based on several factors but shininess is one of the most important
one size fits all....
air machine for past diving suits - the suits would be filled with air that would be usable for a certain period of time. It was up to the diver to know when he needed new air. He would turn the valve for the bad air to release, tug on a rope that he hopes his crew mate would notice among the moving waves to indicate new air was needed. If the new air did not arrive in time, the consequences were severe.
We stopped at the Japanese Cemetery as part of our tour. Initially we all thought it was from a role played during the wars but in fact it is for Japanese divers and crew who lost their lives with the pearl industry. Their tombstones are made from limestone but are slowly being replaced by marble ones.
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