Whaler's Harpoon with Toggle Head

Description:

The first step in catching a whale was throwing at least two sharp harpoons into its back, to ensure that the whaleboat was securely fastened to its prey. Harpoon shafts were made of soft wrought iron, so that they would bend and not break off when twisted, which risked losing the wounded whale.

A line at the bottom of the harpoon’s wooden handle attached it to the whaleboat. Once in the whale’s flesh, the sharp toggle tip swiveled sideways, making it harder for the tip of the weapon to pull out. Whales normally dove deep after the first prick, to try and escape the sharp jab from the surface of the ocean. This harpoon shaft was twisted by a descending whale.

Date Made: 1882

Maker: D. & D.

Place Made: United States: Massachusetts, New Bedford

Used: WhalingRelated Event: The Development of the Industrial United States

Subject:

See more items in: Work and Industry: Fisheries, Cultures & Communities, Work, Industry & Manufacturing, Natural Resources, Transportation, On the Water exhibit

Exhibition: On the Water

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Related Web Publication: http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater

Related Publication: Brown, James Temple. The Whale Fishery and Its Appliances, On the Water online exhibition

Credit Line: Jonathan Bourne through J. T. Brown

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: AG.056237Catalog Number: 056237Accession Number: 012284

Object Name: harpoon

Physical Description: iron (overall material)Measurements: overall: 4 3/4 in x 29 1/2 in x 5 1/4 in; 12.065 cm x 74.93 cm x 13.335 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-d9a8-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_866984

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.