The harpoon would have been attached to a long harpoon pole. A rope would be attached to the harpoon and used like a fishing line to draw the whale, or other large catch, alongside the whaleboat. Harpoons have been used for thousands of years in the fishing industry to catch and secure large fish and other sea creatures such as whales. Harpoon, Double Flute 2'9" metal end with 5'9" wooden shank with rope spliced around metal section and whipped to wooden shank.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, harpoon, double flute, whaling, flluke, fishing, tool

Ill, p.379.fictionAlthough fictitious, this account is based on the author's extensive experiences in the whaling industry in both the Antarctic and Arctic. whaling ships, whaling

This Miner’s Right was issued post the rush of the 1850s-60s but is testament to the ongoing interest in gold although the great rush had dwindled. Local papers continued to report on findings and hopes of success, including syndicates and explorations across the south-west district of Victoria and Otways. The Warrnambool correspondent of the “Hamilton Spectator”, 31/1/1878, p4 attest to the price of a good season of potatoes comparing “favourably with the unsteady returns of any precarious gold-bearing quartz reefs in the colony.” A James Collins (1842-1918) is listed in the Pioneers’ Register, Warrnambool, Township and Shire 1839-1900, Volume One, A.I.G.S Warrnambool Branch, 2004, p137. As are numerous other Collins pioneer families of the district. This item is significant in that it illustrates that people associated with the region were interested in taking their chances in prospecting for gold similar to many others. A lure that is still present for some today. Although the southwest region found it's source of wealth in other industries from whaling and fishing, wool and other agricultural pursuits. This is a top to bottom upright image of a Miner’s Right. It is a buff coloured document printed in black ink. It was issued in “BALLARAT” and rubber stamped twice in red ink. The issue to “James Collins”, is dated “23rd August 1889” to “22nd August 1890”. The signature of the authority could be Bennet. All handwriting is script style in black ink. Looking from the front the lefthand side has a serrated edge. The back is printed in black ink and there are no “particulars of registration”. The Miner’s Right is from “Series J, Book No. 3, ticket “No. 15”. A “Colony of Victoria” coat of arms is displayed at the top of the document. An insignia runs along the lefthand side of the license featuring coat of arms with a kangaroo and emu, then a miner’s pick and shovel, two crossed Union Jack flags sit behind a monogram “VR” with a hanging set of scales supported by a sword. "By Authority Robt. S. Brain, Government Printer.""Series J. Book No. 3 Five Shillings. No. 15. Colony of Victoria. Miner's Right"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, james collins, australian goldfields, miner's rights, the history of ballarat, gold rush