fisheeies of the united states. [32] 



Boat-spade. 



Wrought-iron spade edged with steel, wooden pole, strapped and 

 rigged. Formerly used for stopping a running wliale by sever- 

 ing the tendons at the junction of the caudal fin with the body, 

 and used at present for cutting holes in the lips of the whale 

 for reeving the tow-rope. New Bedford, Massachusetts. 72827. 

 Gift of I. H. Bartlett & Sons. 



Whaling-gun. 



Brand gun No. 2 ; muzzle-loading, skeleton iron stock. New Bed- 

 ford, Massachusetts. 72820. Gift of I. H. Bartlett & Sons. 



Whaleman's lance-bag. 



Canvass bag used as a receptacle for bomb-lances in the boat when 

 down for whales. The lances having been placed in the bag, 

 which is painted or tarred, to render it impervious to water the 

 wooden stopper or plug is inserted at the mouth and tightly 

 bound with the twine. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. 

 72819. Gift of I. H. Bartlett & Sons. 



Boat grapnel. 



An iron hook, with four barbless arms, used for picking up lines or 

 other objects floating in the water when working about a dead 

 whale prior to towing it to the vessel. Stifl" ring for rope. 

 Height 9 inches. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. 72829. 

 Presented by J. Barton. 



Iron crotch. 



A two-pronged implement in which the handles of the harpoon are 

 placed when the boat is approaching a whale. Wood. One 

 piece scarfed in two places at the top, and filled in with wedge- 

 shaped pieces of wood, the projecting ends forming " crotches," 

 into which the iron j)oles are placed. Small iron spike inserted 

 into the foot, which is protected by a brass ferule. The iron 

 spike ships into a socket in a cleat nailed to the inner edge of 

 the gunwale on the starboard bow. Fastened to the boat with 

 a small laniard. Length, 19 inches. Laniard, 22 inches. New 

 Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. 72823. I. H. Bartlett & Sons. 



Short warp. 



A i^iece of whale-line fastened to the main warp with a bow-line 

 and used to connect the second iron. Length, 4 fathoms. New 

 Bedford, Massachusetts. 72828. Gift of I. H. Bartlett & Sons. 



Line-tubs. 



Keceptacles for the whale-line. Oak staves bound with iron hoops. 

 Bottoms perforated with numerous holes intersected by cross- 



