Object Details
- patentee
- Pierce, Eben
- manufacturer
- Brown, Frank E.
- Description
- Explosive lances were designed to kill a whale by exploding inside its body. Many different types were invented in the late 19th century. When they worked properly, they were extremely efficient.
- They could either be shot out of guns or set at the end of darting guns. These devices resembled harpoon handles, to which the explosive lances were fixed. Once a plunger touching the whale’s skin moved a specific length, it triggered an explosive charge that shot the lance into the whale’s body.
- Credit Line
- F. Gilbert Hinsdale
- late 1800s
- patent date
- 1879
- explosive lances were invented
- late 19th century
- ID Number
- AG.316544
- catalog number
- 316544
- accession number
- 066767
- Object Name
- Harpoon
- Physical Description
- brass (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 17 1/2 in; 44.45 cm
- Place Made
- United States: Massachusetts, New Bedford
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Cultures & Communities
- Work
- Industry & Manufacturing
- Natural Resources
- Transportation
- Exhibition
- On the Water
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of American History
- used
- Whaling
- related event
- The Development of the Industrial United States
- Record ID
- nmah_866914
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-11d4-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
