Drogue
A drogue, or floating anchor, is used in whaling. Once the whale has been hit by the harpoon, the drogues help slow it down and track its course, while maintaining it near the surface.
Drogues are made from two thick, sturdy pieces of wood: a large wooden plate, into which a long shaft is inserted. A line is then attached to the anchor shaft and to the harpoon.
References
Date: Replica of a 16th-century object
Origin: North America
Owner: Canadian Museum of History
Sources:
Pope, P. E. (n.d.). Economic activities: Basque whalers. Digital museum of New France. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.historymuseum.ca/virtual-museum-of-new-france/economic-activities/basque-whalers/
Proulx, J.-P. (1986). La pêche de la baleine dans l’Atlantique Nord, jusqu’au milieu du XIXe siècle [North Atlantic whaling until the middle of the 19th century]. Parcs Canada.
