This design was made for Joseph Banks in preparation for a second voyage to the Pacific South Seas for the purpose of scientific discovery. The earliest record of a grommet harpoon I have found is a sketch made by Francis Thompson circa 1772. Grommet toggle iron with iron ring grommet Smaller pins indicate use on smaller fish, and not intended to pull a boat through the water. The diameter of this visible flare was approximately 1/2" for a 3/8" diameter pivot pin. The pin was formed like a rivet, flared out at the ends to retain it in the head. For use on whales, the pin should be 3/8" diameter, and flush with the sides of the head. The size of the pivot pin will indicate intended use of the iron. Such grommet irons were in use for a long time, in later years used more for porpoise and blackfish, or other large fish, such as sun fish or basking sharks.
#Whaling harpoon free#
With the grommet pushed back, the head was free to toggle. When the iron was darted the grommet was pushed back off the head by the force of the blubber as it entered. This grommet could be line tied around it, or leather, or most often a metal ring. The head of the harpoon was held streamlined to the harpoon shaft by means of a grommet around the head and shaft.
The grommet iron was the first form of iron toggle head whaling harpoon.
#Whaling harpoon skin#
These Eskimo harpoon heads were smaller than later iron toggle harpoons because they were attached to skin floats, and did not have to withstand the force of being attached to a fully loaded whaleboat being pulled through the water by the whale.Įskimo Harpoon head, 3-1/8" long, showing slate tip insert. For darting, the head was held streamlined to the shaft by means of the separable shaft fitting into a receptacle hole in the rear of the head. A flaring rear barb helped to ensure catching in the blubber or flesh to initiate the toggle action.
They were made of bone or ivory, usually with a stone or metal point, and pivoted around a line through a hole in the center of the head. The basic description of a toggle head iron is one where the moveable head is held streamlined to the harpoon shaft for darting, then pivots, or toggles, around the center of the head to a right angle to the shaft after penetration when force is applied to the line, thereby preventing withdrawal.Īncient Eskimo harpoons were a form of toggle harpoon. The concept of a toggle head harpoon is quite old. Toggle_Irons Whalecraft Whaling WhalesiteĮarly Temple iron (above) and improved toggle iron (below).
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