Twin barb whaling harpoon

Datec 1850

Object number00003707

NameHarpoon

MediumIron

DimensionsOverall: 39 x 861 x 104 mm, 1.05 kg

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThis twin barb harpoon features a curved tip. It was a hand held harpoon which would have been used from an open whale boat.HistoryUntil the introduction of the harpoon gun in the 1860s, whaling was an extraordinarily dangerous occupation. Whales were hunted from small open boats by men often only armed with hand-held harpoons and killing lances. The hand-thrown harpoon (or iron) was used merely to attach the rope to the whale resulting in an angry, wounded whale. This would more often than not end with the whaleboat and its crew being towed by the whale in an effort to rid itself of the pain inflicted by the harpoon. This was referred to by American whalers at the 'Nantucket Sleighride'. For more than 200 years, whaling was a vital industry around the world. It was the source of many important products which could not be found or produced elsewhere at the time. It also provided tens of thousands of men and their families with a livelihood.SignificanceThis harpoon is an example of the types of handheld implements used in whaling during the 19th century.