Sunken treasure features in Thursday Island's history as pearls from black and gold-lipped oysters were discovered by Japanese pirate, Yamada Nagamasa in the early 1600s. Two hundred years later Japanese divers became the key to finding the pearl shells, dressed in ancient helmet diver's gear working underwater for long hours.
The shallow pearl beds were quickly plundered and the divers ventured much deeper, risking the bends, crocodiles and sharks. Over 700 Japanese divers are buried in the Thursday Island cemetery - given the problems of diving in the ancient hard hat gear, old age wasn't the usual cause of death.
We walk through the cemetery past a large memorial to the pearl divers near the entrance. Dotted around are hundreds of gravestones inscribed with Japanese writing.
There is still a Japanese link among the island's inhabitants. Many of the pearl divers married local girls and made their homes on Thursday Island. Some of the shop owners are their descendants.
The pearl industry continues but the oysters are now farmed, resulting in the cultured pearls common in jewellery everywhere. There are five cultured pearl farms plus commercial fishing of trochus shell for buttons and beche de mer, prawns and crayfish.
