THE SWORDFISH FISHERY. 319 
the sharpened end of the pole, to which it is secured by screws or spikes. A light line extends 
from one end of the pole to the point where it joins the “shank,” and in this line is tied a loop, by 
which is made fast another short line, which secures the pole to the vessel or boat, so that when it 
is thrown at the fish it cannot be lost. 
Upon the end of the “shank” fits somewhat securely the head of the harpoon, known to the 
fishermen by the names “swordfish iron,” “lily iron,” or “Indian dart.” The form of this weapon 
has undergone much variation, as is shown in the series of specimens in the National Museum. 
The fundamental idea may very possibly have been derived from the Indian fish-dart, numerous 
specimens of which are in the National Museum. However various the modifications may have 
been, the similarity of the different shapes is no less noteworthy from the fact that all are 
peculiarly American, In the enormous collection of fishery implements of all lands in the late 
exhibition at Berlin nothing of the kind could be found. What is known to whalers as a toggle- 
harpoon is a modification of the lily-iron, but so greatly changed by the addition of a pivot 
by which the head of the harpoon is fastened to the shank that it can hardly be regarded as the 
same weapon. The lily-iron is in principle exactly what 4 whalemen would describe by the word 
“toggle.” It consists of a two-pointed piece of metal, having in the center, at one side, a ring or 
socket whose axis is parallel with the long diameter of the implement. In this is inserted the end 
of the pole-shank, and to it or near it is also attached the harpoon-iine. When the iron has once 
been thrust point first through some solid substance, such as the side of a fish, and is released 
upon the other side by the withdrawal of the pole from the socket, it is free, and at once turns its 
long axis at right angles to the direction in which the harpoon-line is pulling, and thus is abso- 
lutely prevented from withdrawal. The principle of the whale harpoon or toggle-iron is similar, 
except that the pole is not withdrawn, and the head, turning upon a pivot at its end, fastens the 
pole itself securely to the fish, the harpoon-line being attached to some part of the pole. The 
swordfish lily-iron head, as now ordinarily used, is about 4 inches in length, and consists of two 
lanceolate blades, each about an inch and a half long, connected by a central piece much thicker 
than they, in which, upon one side, and next to the flat side of the blade, is the socket for the 
insertion of the pole-shank. In this same central enlargement is forged an opening to which the 
harpoon-line is attached. The dart-head is usually made of steel; sometimes of iron, which is 
generally galvanized; sometimes of brass. 
The entire weight of the harpoon-pole, shank, and head should not exceed 18 pounds. 
_ The harpoon-line is from 50 to 150 fathoms long, and is ordinarily what is known as “ fifteen- 
thread line.” At the end is sometimes fastened a buoy, and an ordinary mackerel keg is generally 
used for this purpose. : 
In addition to the harpoon, every swordfisherman carries a lance. This implement is pre- 
cisely similar to a whaleman’s lance, except that it is smaller, consisting of a lanceolate blade, 
perhaps 1 inch wide and 2 inches long, upon the end of a shank of five-eighths-inch iron, perhaps 
2 or 3 feet in length, fastened in the ordinary way upon a pole 15 to 18 feet in length. 
4, THE MANNER OF FITTING THE VESSEL. 
The swordfish are harpooned from the end ef the bowsprit of a sailing vessel. It is next 
to impossible to approach them in a small boat, All vessels regularly engaged in this fishery are 
supplied with a special apparatus for the support of the harpooner as he stands on the bow- 
sprit, and this is almost essential to success, although it is possible for an active man to harpoon 
a fish from this station without the aid of the ordinary frame-work. Not only the professional 
swordfisherman but many mackerel schooners and packets are supplied in this manner. 
