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Catalog Data

Physical Description:
scrimshaw (overall production method/technique)
Measurements:
overall: 7 in x 2 1/2 in x 1 in; 17.78 cm x 6.35 cm x 2.54 cm
Object Name:
tooth, whale
scrimshaw tooth, whale
Description:
This carved sperm whale tooth is only engraved on one side, but it has an unusual subject. Instead of the more common full-rigged sailing ship, this tooth depicts a steamboat in profile moving from left to right. Below the vessel is engraved the legend “STEAMER RIGHT ARM”, which identifies the vessel as the wrecking tugboat <i>RIGHT ARM.</i> Measuring 135 ft. in length by 26.5 ft. beam (width), the ship was purpose built in New England in the early 1890s as a wrecker, or salvage vessel. These uncommon vessels helped to refloat grounded or stranded ships, or recovered useful parts from a ship that was wrecked. The forward deckhouse contained a powerful steam windlass and several tons of 2-in. chain, and the pumps were so strong that the ship could pump coal--as well as water--from damaged ships. The <i>RIGHT ARM</i> had the capability to support divers as well, with dive gear, air compressors and special equipment.
The <i>RIGHT ARM</i> is best known as the salvage ship for the infamous wreck of the American warship USS <i>MAINE</i> in Havana harbor, Cuba, an early event in the Spanish-American War. The <i>RIGHT ARM</i> recovered some of the <i>MAINE’s</i> artillery; the ship’s safe containing ca. $25,000; valuable chalices from the chaplain’s stateroom, and sailors’ bodies from the colossal explosion on 15 February 1898 that sank the warship.
Although this tooth was not carved by a whaler during the classical Age of Sail, it still represents the latter-day art of scrimshaw through its style, material and treatment.
Location:
Currently not on view
Credit Line:
Eleanor and Mabel Van Alstyne American Folk Art Collection
ID Number:
DL.65.1135
Catalog number:
65.1135
Accession number:
256396
See more items in:
Work and Industry: Maritime
Cultures & Communities
Scrimshaw
Transportation
Art
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a1-069c-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_309395