For other uses, see Harpoon (disambiguation)

Whaling harpoon.

A harpoon (from French harpon) is a long spear-like instrument used in fishing to catch fish or other large aquatic animals such as whales. It accomplishes this task by impaling the target animal, with the fishermen then using the a rope or chain attached to the butt of the projectile to draw the creature in. A harpoon can also be used as a weapon. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Look up harpoon in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... // For a large mounted gun used to kill whales, see harpoon gun. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Spears were one of the most common personal weapons from the late Bronze Age until the advent of firearms. ... Fishermen in the harbor of Kochi, India. ... This article is about the animal. ... A projectile is any object sent through space by the application of a force. ... For other uses, see Weapon (disambiguation). ...

History of the harpoon

The Greek historian Polybius (ca 203 BC–120 BC), in his Histories, describes hunting for swordfish by using a harpoon with a barbed and detachable head.^[1] Polybius (c. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC - 200s BC - 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC Years: 208 BC 207 BC 206 BC 205 BC 204 BC - 203 BC - 202 BC 201 BC... Centuries: 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC Decades: 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC 140s BC 130s BC - 120s BC - 110s BC 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC Years: 125 BC 124 BC 123 BC 122 BC 121 BC - 120 BC - 119 BC 118 BC... // Polybius’ Histories were originally written in 40 volumes of which we have completely only the first 5. ...

Whaling

For over 8000 years, the two flue harpoon was the primary weapon used in whaling around the world, but it cut through the blubber when under stress. An advancement of the two flue harpoon was the single flue harpoon which doesn't cut through the blubber when under stress. In the Arctic, the indigenous people used the more advanced toggling harpoon design. In the early 19th century the one flue harpoon was introduced, which reduced failed harpoonings due to the head cutting its way out of the body of the whale. In the mid-19th century, the toggling harpoon was adapted by Lewis Temple, using iron. The Temple toggle was widely used, and quickly came to dominate whaling. An engraving showing a two flu harpoon used in whaling The two flue harpoon or two flue iron (which, together with the one flue harpoon, were known as common harpoons) is a type of harpoon using in whaling for at least 1000 years. ... The crew of the oceanographic research vessel Princesse Alice, of Albert Grimaldi (later Prince Albert I of Monaco) pose while flensing a catch. ... For the ships, see USS Arctic, SS Arctic, MV Arctic The red line indicates the 10°C isotherm in July, sometimes used to define the Arctic region border Artificially coloured topographical map of the Arctic region The Arctic is the region around the Earths North Pole, opposite the Antarctic... The toggling harpoon is an ancient weapon and tool used in whaling to impale a whale when thrown. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... The one flue harpoon or one flue iron (sometimes single instead of one is used) is a type of harpoon used in whaling after its introduction in the early 19th century when it replaced the two flue harpoon. ... Lewis Temple was a slave born in Richmond, Virginia who escaped and relocated to New Bedford, Massachusetts where he invented the Toggle harpoon known as Temples Toggle. Sources [1] Categories: | ...

Explosive harpoons

In 1870 Svend Foyn successfully patented and pioneered the exploding harpoon and gun based on Erik Eriksen's idea and design. Together with the steam-powered whale catcher, this development ushered in the modern age of commercial whaling. Euro-American whalers were now equipped to hunt faster and more powerful species, such as the rorquals. Because rorquals sank when they died, later versions of the exploding harpoon injected air into the carcass to keep it afloat. Svend Foyn (1809 - 1894) was a Norwegian from Tønsberg. ... Erik Eriksen (born 1820, death 1888), was a Norwegian ice sea captain born in Lyngør, Norway. ... Genera Balaenoptera Megaptera Rorquals are the largest group of baleen whales, with nine species in two genera. ...

A certain type of explosive harpoon fired from a shoulder gun, first used by American whalemen in the mid-19th century, was called a "bomb lance." crispus attucks was a harpoonist on whaling ship.

Modern developments

A modern harpoon usually consists of a deck-mounted launcher (mostly a cannon) and a projectile which is a large harpoon connected to a thick rope. The spearhead is shaped in a manner which allows it to penetrate the thick layers of whale blubber and stick in the flesh. It has sharp spikes to prevent the harpoon from sliding out. Thus, by pulling the rope with a motor, the whalers can drag the whale back to their ship. For other uses, see Cannon (disambiguation). ... A projectile is any object sent through space by the application of a force. ... Coils of rope used for long-line fishing A rope (IPA: ) is a length of fibers, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. ... A whaler (or whale catcher) is a specialized kind of ship, designed for catching whales. ...

A recent development in harpoon technology is the hand-held speargun. Divers use the speargun for defense against dangerous marine animals. They are also used for spearing fish. The speargun has been made famous in the entertainment industry by characters like James Bond and in a similar action films with underwater fight scenes. Spearguns may be powered by pressurized gas or with mechanical means like springs or elastic bands. This article is about the spy series. ...

See also

• Trident
• Hawaiian sling

This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Hawaiian sling is a device used in spearfishing. ...

References

• Information about Erik Eriksen based on The Discovery of King Karl Land, Spitsbergen, by Adolf Hoel, The Geographical Review Vol. XXV, No. 3, July, 1935, Pp. 476–478, American Geographical Society, Broadway AT 156th Street, New York" and Store norske leksikon, Aschehoug & Gyldendal (Great Norwegian Encyclopedia, last edition)

Erik Eriksen (20 November 1902 - 7 October 1972) was leader of the Liberal Party of Denmark and Prime Minister of Denmark from 30 October 1950 to 30 September 1953 as leader of the Cabinet of Erik Eriksen formed as a minority government by the Liberal Party and the Conservative People... The American Geographical Society (AGS) was founded in 1851 in New York City, New York as a non-profit organization with the goal of increasing worldwide knowledge of geography. ...

External links

• Whalecraft: Harpoons