Dangers of the whale fishery.

Repro ID: PY3428

Description: 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.

Creator: James Waddel (artist), William Home Lizars (engraver), Constable & Co. (publishers)

Date: 1820

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London