William A. Tripp Collection T-434
[T-434 Boatsteerer]
“Look Out for Flukes”
(Boatsteerer sweeps boat off, October 4, 1923)
William H. Tripp (1880-1959, American)
2-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch film negative

BOATSTEERER
A boatsteerer in any whaleship was one of the most responsible members of the ship’s company. He had to be a skilled harpooneer to fasten on to the whale, and an able boat-handler to guide the frail craft while the boatheader (officer) took up the lance to kill the whale. Incompetence could result in injury or death.