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The Nantucket
Sleigh Ride - Whales and
whaling pictures - 6
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As
whales are so large, the basic job of killing the whale has always
been something of a problem. The favoured way by most early
(pre explosive harpoon) whalers was to harpoon the whale with a
rope attached, let the rope out somewhat, then hold it tight to
the whaling boat. The whale would then be swimming rapidly away
from the boat but fastened to it via harpoon and rope. The aim was
to tire the whale out, the boat being fastened to the whale meant it couldn't get
away from the whalers. This very harrowing and dangerous time while the
whale sped away was called the "Nantucket Sleigh
Ride"
An engraving from "The
cruise of the Cachalot" |
The
whaling gallery is a collection of images from a
whole range of sources. It is intended to inform
and illustrate a now (thankfully) vanished occupation and way of life that for the men
so engaged was hard and often
dangerous. It is intended for historical interest rather than a commentary on the ethics of whaling. |
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