FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [56] 



EoCKET-GUN — Continued. 



fixed, and the upper one hinged in such a manner that when the 

 gunner is taking aim it lies parallel to the barrel, but is thrown 

 up vertically by the action of the rocket to protect the gunner 

 from the "backfire" of the rocket. The gun is discharged by 

 firing the pistol through a hole made in the stock into the rocket. 

 U. S. Fish Commission. 56327. Patented January 22, 1861, 

 by Thomas W. Eoys, of Southampton, Kew York. Employed 

 principally in whaling off the Northwest coast. Successfully 

 used from the decks of steamers, for which it was designed. 



WHALEMAN'S LANCES. 



Thrust by Hand. 



explosive. 



KELLEHER'S hand bomb -LANCE. 



Consists of a lance-head, a tubular magazine, and the ordinary har- 

 l^oon shank, secured to a white-ash handle. A sliding clamp 

 attached to a wire by impact explodes the bomb by means of 

 a common friction-primer, such as is used for discharging 

 pieces of artillery. Socket served with marline to prevent iron- 

 rust. Lance-strap spliced around the socket, seized to the 

 handle in three places, and projecting through a hole at the 

 butt. Length of lance and shank, 48^ inches ; length of pole, 

 70 inches. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. 56359. Gift 

 of Daniel Kelleher. (Patented by Daniel Kelleher March 26, 

 1878.) This instrument may be used as an explosive or non- 

 explosive hand-lance. As there is no " backward kick," or re- 

 coil, the operator grasps the handle when the lance explodes. 



non-explosive. 

 Hand-lance. 



A kind of lance with a short wide blade, formerly used for killing 

 whales. Superseded by the explosive lance. Length, 68 inches. 

 New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1876. 25611. Presented by W. 

 H. Cook & Co. Primitive model used by the New Bedford 

 whalemen. 



Hand-lance. 



A nickel-plated hand-lance used in giving the death- wound. Length, 

 5 feet 9 inches. Fairhaven, Massachusetts, 1882. 56357. 

 Manufactured and presented by Luther Cole. 



Hand-lance. 



A kind of lance formerly relied upon altogether for killing whales. 

 Length, 5 feet 3 inches. New Bedford, Massachusetts. 56389. 

 Gift of James Barton. Manipulated by the officer of the boat. 



