[05] FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 335 



Fin-chain hook — Continued. 



the maimer in which it is used, and " ring-hook," from the pe- 

 culiar shape of the bend. Large ring for shackling to lower 

 cutting-block ; small ring at back of hook for a laniard by means 

 of which the hook is guided or " pointed" in the direction re- 

 quired. Length, 15 inches. Weight, 32 pounds. New Bedford, 

 Massachusetts, 1882. 57726. U. S. Fish Commission. Some 

 whalemen prefer it for hooking into the fin-chain, and it may, 

 in fact, be used as an ordinary blubber-hook. It is capable of 

 withstanding great strains, and its peculiar ring-shaped bend 

 affords a tenacious grip. 



Fluker. 



Slender spruce pole and a conjoined condemned lance shank and 

 socket, the shank being bent, forming a round bend, until its 

 point is directly opposite the socket. Rare. Length, 11 feet. 

 New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. 55817. U. S. Fish Com- 

 mission. An implement used on a whaling- vessel for passing 

 a rope attached to one end of the fluke-chain around the 

 small for fastening the whale to the ship prior to cutting off 

 the blubber, the process being known as " fluking a whale." 

 Obtained from the whaling brig " Varuum H. Hill," of New 

 Bedford, Massachusetts. Manufactured at sea. 



HOOKS USED IN CUTTING BLACKFISH. 

 BLACKFISH BLUBBER-HOOK. 



A long, slender hook, with a broad tread in bend and a stiff eye. 

 Used at sea for removing the blubber from blackfish. Prov- 

 incetown, Massachusetts, 1882. 57705. U. S. Fish Commis- 

 sion. 



WHALEMAN'S SPADES. 



Scarfing and Leaning. 



Narrow cutting-spade. 



Blade, cast-steel; short shank and socket, wrought-iron. Pole, 

 spruce. Length, 15 feet. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1876. 

 25928. Gift of E. B. & F. Macy. The smallest spade used 

 when cutting-in a whale, for what is technically termed scarf- 

 ing. Also known as the thin boat-spade. 



Narrow cutting- spade. 



Head, steel. Shank and socket, wrought iron. Nickel-plated. New. 

 Total length, 12 feet, four inches. Fairhaven, Massachusetts, 

 1882. 55808. Manufactured and presented by Luther Cole. 

 Used for scarfing (cutting the blubber into helical strips). 



