The Beast at the End of the Harpoon: A Descriptive Analysis of the Tools Used in Atlantic Whaling
American Atlantic whaling began when the first occupants of the east coast settled until more efficient and effective alternatives to whale oil were discovered in the twentieth century. For the sake of innovation in the industry, many different tools were created with specific uses during the whale hunt process. From the first Atlantic colonists to the demise of the whaling industry, technology advanced to become more precise, more effective, and more accurate. This article discusses a comprehensive analysis of the tools used during a hunt as well as those used to process the whale. The most forefront set of tools includes a lance and harpoon, used to pierce and kill the whale. In addition to the tools used in the immediate action of the hunt, just as important are the tools used during the processing of the carcass. The trypot, various knife shapes, and chains are vital to the operation, as the entire production requires many hands to store rendered oil in a timely manner. In the context of tools for whaling, the whaleboat is also considered as an important aspect to facilitate the process. From the lookout to the final cask, each object used in the whaling operation is considered.
Keywords: Atlantic, Whaling, Tools, Harpoon, Lance, Flensing, Drogue, Trypot, Whaleboat, oil