334 FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [64] 



Large boat-hook — Continued. 



removing the lines from the harpoons which are fastened to 

 the whale. As much of the tow-line as can be saved in this 

 way is subsequently used for making iron straps, warps, &c. 



Large-ring boat-hook. 



Hook, iron, round bend, barbless. Projecting iron spur. Socket 

 with extended sleeve. Pole, spruce ; small iron ring for bend- 

 ing on a rope. Total length, 15 feet 7 inches. New Bedford, 

 Massachusetts, 1876. 25926. Gift of E. B. & F. Macy. An 

 implement used on a whaling- vessel when cutting-in a whale 

 for pressing upon the bach of the blubber-hook to direct the 

 point into the hole made in the blubber of the first blanket- 

 piece, and for hauling pieces of blubber about deck. 



Large blubber-hook. 



Made in blacksmith shop of best refined iron. Loose ring for shack- 

 ling to block. When used a rope is bent into the small ring at 

 the heel of the hook, by which one of the officers directs the 

 point into the hole cut into the blubber. A small hook, used 

 probably on a schooner. A large and stiff ship would need a 

 much larger and stronger hook, as the hooks are sometimes 

 broken. Length, 26 inches. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 

 1876. 56861. E. B. & F. Macy. The blubber-hook is used 

 principally for raising the blanket-piece, which is the initial 

 point for stripping off the blubber. The pectoral fin and head 

 of blanket-piece having been hoisted up " two blocks," and the 

 first piece boarded, the hook is detached, from the block, and 

 the strap and toggle, if a rope strap, or the chain alone, if a 

 chain strap, used in hoisting in the balance of the blubber. 

 (Vide Blubber Tackle.) 



Small blubber-hook. 



A kind of a " roustabout" hook not in general use, but may be em- 

 ployed in handling blanket-pieces in the hold of the vessel, in 

 clearing the hatch when blocked with blubber, as well as in 

 hauling the junk aft when it is to be lashed; hence the name 

 "junk-hook," which is sometimes applied. Iron; small iron 

 ring for bending on a rope when hauling the blubber. Length, 

 9 inches. 57725. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. TJ. S. 

 Fish Commission. Also known as the "lip-hook," and used by 

 some right-whalemen for hooking up the lip of the whale when 

 about to reeve the main line for " towing-in." 



Fin CHAIN HOOK. 



A kind of hook, familiarly known as the "lobster claw," from its 

 resemblance to the claw of the lobster: "fin chain hook" from 



