Sponge report notes, c.November 1934: laboratory research, sponges

Abstract

This item is part of a series of material relating to a report produced by the Bass Biological Laboratory at the request of the Bureau of Fisheries of the United States Department of Commerce on the destruction of the sponge beds near Tarpon Springs, Florida. George Emmanuel, president of the Sponge Exchange in Tarpon Springs, requested an investigation, and Deputy Commissioner Chas E. Jackson of the Bureau of Fisheries requested assistance from John F. Bass Jr. and his associates: Ruby Bere of the Bass Biological Laboratory, Archie Fairly Carr Jr. of the University of Florida, Lowell E. Noland of the University of Wisconsin, John Kilby from the University of Florida, and William Davis of the Bass Biological Laboratory. The investigation took place around November 23 and 24, 1934. These notes on the location of the disturbance, previous occurences, causes of the infected condition, symptoms reported, and descriptions of the infected sponges include the opinions given by captain Peterson. Peterson stated that the water in the area tended to be red in the summer and that the red water began on November 4 of 1934, spanning a distance of thirty miles from Anclote to Chassahowitzka, moving north at 10 miles per day.The report also described how the sampled sponges, a 'sickly white-blue,' would disintegrate upon touch.