19th-century weapon found in whale

Battara · 13th June 2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

That is cool! Now, would the weapon qualify as "excavated?"

I guess it would being it was "Buried" in the whale.....

Jim McDougall · 13th June 2007, 07:57 PM

This is a fantastic and fascinating article!!! 130 years old???cripes I thought I was old!!!

This has to be a unique example of 'excavation', and really presents some great evidence for those studying these whales, and in this case to those who study these type weapons.

While whaling items are not generally thought of as 'weapons' in the sense that we study most ethnographic weapons it seems that hunting weapons do indeed enter the category often. It would interesting to know more on the type of weaponry, harpoons etc. that were used by the whalers (cannot resist thinking of Moby Dick with this article!).

Were there really such whales as albinos? Could these whales really live up to 200 yrs?

Thanks very much for posting this, and I too look forward to the item you brought up Jeff.

Best regards,
Jim

Tim Simmons · 13th June 2007, 08:42 PM

Amazing!! Fascinating news. I had no idea that some whales lived so long. I can understand some communities need to carry on a "subsistence" hunt but not waving a banner. It seems a little sad even barbarous to wantonly destroy such creatures in the 21 century. can you imagine 100 years of excruciating pain.

Jeff D · 14th June 2007, 05:58 AM

Hi Jim and Andrew,

I just got home and was able to see that the episode "Immortals of the Arctic" is to be rebroadcast this Friday on Animal Planet (I am not sure if this applies to the American channel as well); http://www.animalplanet.ca/schedule/...hic%20Presents
I will see if I can find any papers on the topic.

All the Best
Jeff

Andrew · 14th June 2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff D

Hi Jim and Andrew,

I just got home and was able to see that the episode "Immortals of the Arctic" is to be rebroadcast this Friday on Animal Planet (I am not sure if this applies to the American channel as well); http://www.animalplanet.ca/schedule/...hic%20Presents
I will see if I can find any papers on the topic.

All the Best
Jeff

Thanks, Jeff. I'll check my TV listings tonight.

Newsteel · 14th June 2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

can you imagine 100 years of excruciating pain.

Hi Tim,
Just imagine having splinter till the rest of your life. I found this hurting too.

The weapon found is still in good condition (from rust). This is due that the weapon were buried in thick blubber. Basically, the fat prevent the metal part from rust.

fernando · 14th June 2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I can understand some communities need to carry on a "subsistence" hunt but not waving a banner. It seems a little sad even barbarous to wantonly destroy such creatures in the 21 century. can you imagine 100 years of excruciating pain.

Completely agree.

Jim McDougall · 22nd June 2007, 10:36 PM

Apparantly these 'bomb lances' were 'invented' about 1846 in New Bedford, and were fired from a shoulder gun much like a heavy guage rifle.Some sources say these were produced only in New Bedford and for only about six years (1879-1885)...not sure what followed.....bazookas?
Just thought that was interesting

This thread did inspire me to watch "Moby Dick" out of curiosity, and still was wondering about 'albino whales', never found much more on that topic.
Naturally cannot be sure that harpoons in the context of these New England whalers could be considered 'weapons'...but certainly in the ethnographic context the implements used in hunting, fishing, whaling etc. were often multipurpose. In any case, learning about the harpoon forms (they were termed loosely 'irons' by whalers) is interesting from a developmental standpoint, and correlates in that regard with similarity to weapon development.

Best regards,
Jim

13th June 2007, 07:57 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	This is a fantastic and fascinating article!!! 130 years old???cripes I thought I was old!!! This has to be a unique example of 'excavation', and really presents some great evidence for those studying these whales, and in this case to those who study these type weapons. While whaling items are not generally thought of as 'weapons' in the sense that we study most ethnographic weapons it seems that hunting weapons do indeed enter the category often. It would interesting to know more on the type of weaponry, harpoons etc. that were used by the whalers (cannot resist thinking of Moby Dick with this article!). Were there really such whales as albinos? Could these whales really live up to 200 yrs? Thanks very much for posting this, and I too look forward to the item you brought up Jeff. Best regards, Jim

13th June 2007, 08:42 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Amazing!! Fascinating news. I had no idea that some whales lived so long. I can understand some communities need to carry on a "subsistence" hunt but not waving a banner. It seems a little sad even barbarous to wantonly destroy such creatures in the 21 century. can you imagine 100 years of excruciating pain.

14th June 2007, 05:58 AM	#4
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Jim and Andrew, I just got home and was able to see that the episode "Immortals of the Arctic" is to be rebroadcast this Friday on Animal Planet (I am not sure if this applies to the American channel as well); http://www.animalplanet.ca/schedule/...hic%20Presents I will see if I can find any papers on the topic. All the Best Jeff

22nd June 2007, 10:36 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Apparantly these 'bomb lances' were 'invented' about 1846 in New Bedford, and were fired from a shoulder gun much like a heavy guage rifle.Some sources say these were produced only in New Bedford and for only about six years (1879-1885)...not sure what followed.....bazookas? Just thought that was interesting This thread did inspire me to watch "Moby Dick" out of curiosity, and still was wondering about 'albino whales', never found much more on that topic. Naturally cannot be sure that harpoons in the context of these New England whalers could be considered 'weapons'...but certainly in the ethnographic context the implements used in hunting, fishing, whaling etc. were often multipurpose. In any case, learning about the harpoon forms (they were termed loosely 'irons' by whalers) is interesting from a developmental standpoint, and correlates in that regard with similarity to weapon development. Best regards, Jim