Explosive harpoon

This article has multiple issues. Please help or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article may have too many section headers dividing up its content. Please help improve the article by merging similar sections and removing unneeded subheaders. (June 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) This article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject. Please help by providing more context for the reader. (June 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) This article is written like a personal reflection, personal essay, or argumentative essay that states a Wikipedia editor's personal feelings or presents an original argument about a topic. Please by rewriting it in an encyclopedic style. (June 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (July 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

The explosive harpoon is a type of harpoon which uses an explosive discharge to assist in whaling. In Norway, Japan, and Iceland, the use of these harpoons is commonplace. Norway created and utilises the most technologically advanced grenades in their harpoons.

Historic versions[]

Albert Moore's explosive harpoon[]

Among many patents for explosive harpoons is Albert Moore's patented hand-dart explosive harpoon. It was invented on March 16, 1844 (U.S. Patent No. 3,490). This was the first handheld explosive harpoon ever invented.^[1]

Charles Burt’s explosive harpoon[]

Patented on May 6, 1851, by Charles Burt of Belfast, Maine (U.S Patent No. 8,073), this was the second harpoon of its kind.

Types of explosive harpoons[]

Mounted[]

'Mounted' is a term for a broad range of explosive harpoons, as this variant can be mounted onto a ship it is generally bigger and more powerful than a hand thrown explosive harpoon. This type of harpoon is spring operated as explosive discharges which are more common in other forms of harpoons have proven to be volatile and delicate in the 'mounted' variant.^[2][3]

Hand thrown[]

Hand thrown harpoons have been developed over time and now incorporate a gun or a ballistic type firing system.^[4]

Use[]

The explosive harpoon has historically only been used for whaling. Due to Oliver Allen’s improvements to the device, it can now be used on a smaller scale and in common practices like spearfishing.^[5]

See also[]

• Harpoon cannon
• Svend Foyn

References[]