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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.

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]

For over 1000 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.

In the 1860s, Svend Foyn successfully patented and pioneered the exploding harpoon and gun based on Erik Eriksen's idea and design. Together with the steam-powered chaser boat, this development ushered in the modern age of commercial whaling. Whalers were now equipped to hunt faster and more powerful species, especially the rorquals, which were invulnerable to the handheld harpoons.

Explosive harpoons are sometimes known as bomb lances.

A modern harpoon usually consists of a deck-mounted launcher (mostly a cannon) and a projectile which is a large spear connected to a thick rope. The spearhead is shaped in a manner which allows it to penetrate the thick layers of whale fat and stick in the flesh. It has sharp spikes to prevent the spear from sliding out. Thus, by pulling the rope with a motor, the whalers can drag the whale back to their ship.

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.

• Trident
• Hawaiian sling

• 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)

• Whalecraft: Harpoons
• New Bedford Whaling Museum::Harpoons and Other Whalecraft