Account of the Arctic Regions by W Scoresby, Vol.II.Frontispiece. Dangers of the Whale Fishery
Whaling could be a very dangerous business - as this frontispiece from 'Account of the Arctic Regions' (1820), by W. Scoresby, shows. Whale boats were frequently upset by the thrashing of the whale when it was harpooned. For this reason, early whalers preferred to hunt the 'Right whale', which was easier to catch. When the 'Right whale' became scarce, whalers had to hunt the larger whales, in particular the Sperm whale. Larger whales would pull boats after them, even if they dived deeply.
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Object Details
ID: | PAH3428 |
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Type: | |
Display location: | Not on display |
Creator: | Lizars, D; Lizars, William Home Waddel, James A. Constable & Co |
Date made: | 1820 |
Exhibition: | North-West Passage |
Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
Measurements: | Sheet: 207 x 225 mm; Mount: 482 mm x 634 mm |