WHALEBONE
Whalebone, which once brought a higher price than the oil of the bone whales, has little or no commercial value now.
The sketch shows the upper part of the head of a Bowhead whale, with the whalebone attached.
In larger specimens the slabs of “bone” reached twelve feet or more in length.
CLEANING WHALEBONE
The “slabs” were cut from the jaw, and after being scraped and washed were tied in bundles.
DEAD MAN’S CHEST
When a man died or deserted, unless the captain chose to take his effects back to his family, they were auctioned off to the highest bidder.