Page 280 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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In 1365 there was an all round improvement, 71 more boats were equipped and the estimated
value of the catch surpassed all figures for the last 20 years. This figure represents the actual amount
for which the pearls arc sold by the nakhudas to the merchants in Bahrain, before the pearls leave tho
country they may change hands several times, each time at a higher price. For some years no notably
important pearls were found, such as the famous pearl which was bought from a boat in Bahrain for
Rs. 75,000 and was eventually sold in Paris for Rs. 2,00,000, but in 1365 two exceptional pearls were
sold by a Qatif nakhuda for Rs. 45,000 and Rs. 30,000 respectively. Prices during 1365 were at one
time higher than they had been for many years but during the communal disorders in Bombay prices
fell sharply because the Moslem sellers were unable to enter the Hindu quarters of the city in order
to do business with the Hindu buyers. The estimated value of the catch was 32 lakhs, about
7,000 men went diving and there were no boats that failed to make a profit.

From the following figures can be seen the trend of the pearl industry over the last twenty
years. An exact computation of the number of divers and the value of the catch is not possible, the
figures giving the number of boats are actuals and those of the divers and the catch are as nearly as
possible correct. This record shows that although at one time the diving industry seemed likely to
suffer an almost total eclipse yet during recent years its prospects have brightened very considerably.

Year. Number of boats. Number of divers. Value of catch
In Rupees.
1345 515 19.250
1346 507 18,500 > Not recorded
1347 53i 19.650
1348 538 20,150
1349 509 19.300 21.25.000
1350 504 17,600 18.32.000
1351 456 16.650 12.14.000
1352 436 16.000 13.40.000
1353 340 12,700 10,00,000
1354 316 11.550 8.33.000
1355 264 9,800 6.07.000
1356 271 11.000 13.22.000
1357 252 10,200 7.56.000
1358 219 9,000 6.25.000
1359 191 7.500 5.15.000
1360 222 9.500 8.09.000
I36l 298 10,100 10.35.000
1362 277 9.386 16.32.000
1363 188 7.322 18.18.000
1364 121 5.100 18.55.000
1365 192 7.100 32.14.000

A detailed account of the working of a pearling dhow is given below, the dhow whose account
is shown took part in the 1363 (1944) season and a record of its transactions was maintained by the
Government.

General Account.
Crew 37. Rs; a. p. Rs. a. p.
Sales .. 9,811 0 0 Shares of divers 7,848 12 10
i/5th shares of boat and financer 1,962 3 2
:
Rs. 9,8n 0 0 Rs. Q,8ii o_o

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