In the Best Parlor at the Cobb Museum hangs an exploding harpoon. While it may be lethal looking, it had great value in the whaling industry.
~ BHS Docent, Cobb House Museum
The explosive harpoon is a type of harpoon which uses an explosive discharge to assist in whaling. The harpoon with an attached cable are lodged into the whale's body, inhibiting the whale's ability to escape. The cable is then used to reel the whale in.
The evolution of explosive harpoons which are propelled by a gun or a ballistic type system evolved out of hand thrown harpoons. The biggest goal behind this improvement was to ensure there was more piercing capabilities and to better deliver the harpoons. Harpoon guns were an improvement to ensure accurate delivery of the harpoons.
The explosive harpoon was only documented for the use of whaling.
It is suggested that the exploding harpoon was invented by Captain Charles Freeman, a Brewster sea captain. The harpoon has a patent stamp “May 7, 1873.” Born June 15, 1822, died Brewster 1890. Capt. Freeman was a whaler sailing out of Stonington, CT.
Library of Congress LC-DIG-ggbain-01346