There was a tradition in Bottom Town which is also known as Rose Place, where young men, went out in row boats or on the wharf to dive whenever a tourist boat or the cruise visited the main island St. Vincent of the multi-island state St. Vincent and the Grenadines. When the Cruise Ship was anchored out in the Ocean, only those who had access to boat went out to dive. this is a lost tradition that was a strange phenomenon. A little unique part of the Bottom Town Culture, that had died with the changing times.
What is this diving tourist boat or Cruise Ship is really all about? I came and met my bigger brother Nazi and the other youths of Bottom Town diving tourist boat. And as kids we practice with broken shells, getting ready to take over from them or to join in the fun.
We were too young to go out with the bigger kids, to dive tourist boat, so we will collect a specific number of broken white shells, the shell were tossed out into the water, as far as possible, then the go signal was given. We (the younger Kidd's) all dived into the water, to see who was able to collect the most shells. By the time, we were about 12 or 13 years old we were good swimmers and divers with the ability to stay submerged underwater for very long periods.
Back in the day, when a Cruise Ship came in, the folks in Bottom Town knew those people has US $. And the US$ were equivalent of $2.89 EC. The objective was to legally do what was in our power to get the tourist, to give us their money. Although we dive at all tourist boat, most people rather dive American ships. Back in the day, the Cruise industry was not monopolize by American companies as it is today.
We had cruise ship from France, Italy, Germany and other European countries. Docking in Port Kingstown. Because of the foreign language barrier, we find some of the guys began to pick up, words to communicate our desire to the none-English speaking tourist. What you find happening, the tourist often see the people in boats, or hanging around the Wharf, they did not know, why we were there. It is not until we start enticing them to throw, their monies into the water, to see how well we can swim, how well we can dive that they start throwing money into the water.
We used flattery to entice the tight pocket to part with their monies. We call the women beautiful, sexy, etc. whatever it took. The men on the other hand like to be called big papa. When they were not willing to part with their money, we say things like, hay sexy mama, what is such a beautiful woman like you doing with such a cheapskate like him. This often loosen their tight pocket.
At times, you could see wife, girlfriend and flings elbowing their male companion, because they don't want their men to be referred to as a cheapskate in front of the other passenger. We were just young people, having fun, using what we had, to make some honest money. Think of it; most companies and the government did not want to employ Bottom Town people, so the young unemployed males carved out a living for themselves.
Sometimes, a member of the crew who had experience the St. Vincent tour, also informed the tourist or why we were their. At times the crew member may get the ball rolling by start throwing money into the water. Then the news quickly speed to the passenger, then they all get involved gather at the Gangway with money in hand to become a part of the entertainment. Remember our water is Crystal clear, as a result the tourist standing on the Gangway of the ship, had a full view, of all of the underwater occurrence.
We we're all good swimmers and divers, with no opportunity to use the skill. When you considered in the 80s when I started going to dive at the cruise ship, and the minimum wage in the USA was $3.10 US. Where else could a 12, 13, 14 year old could have made $20, $30 $40 US or more on a good day; for diving and swimming around in the see for 3 to 5 hours, doing what we would have been doing on the reclamation sight with his friends any was.
At times, the tourist will like a particular individual, and bring that person money or other goodies, or try to get them away from the pack to give them gifts. They did not only throw coins into the water, they also threw $1. $5. $10. and the rear $20. When paper monies where thrown into the water, it was a test our swimming ability. When the paper monies were thrown from the Gang way, they were taken away by the wind. As a result we had a good swim for the paper dollars.
I will tell you all monies were collected. nothing go to waste. The tourist also like to see us dive from very high like off the ship into the water, or from off the roof of the Geest She'd bridge into the water.
In my opinion As a youth man it not bad, hustle. When you consider the dynamic.
I just thought I should send some explanation to the whole story less one leave with the wrong impression. We did not have to steal we had our hustle.
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