Hull: Whaling ships were typically wooden-hulled vessels, constructed using sturdy materials like oak or pine. The hulls were designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the open seas and the impact of ramming whales. They often had a reinforced bow, called the "ram," to help penetrate the whale's blubber.
Rigging: Whaling ships were typically rigged as either a square-rigged ship or a bark. Square-rigged ships had sails on all three masts, while barks had sails on the fore and main masts and a fore-and-aft sail on the mizzen mast. The sails allowed the ship to harness the power of the wind and maneuver effectively.
Crow's Nest: A prominent feature of whaling ships was the "crow's nest," a small platform or lookout post located at the top of the main mast. The lookout, known as the "crow's nest man," would scan the horizon for signs of whales and alert the crew when a whale was spotted.
Harpoons and Lances: Whaling ships carried harpoons, which were barbed projectiles attached to long ropes or lines. Harpoons were used to penetrate the whale's body and secure it to the ship. Once a whale was harpooned, lances were used to kill it.
Tryworks: The tryworks was an important area on the ship where the whale blubber was processed. It consisted of large iron pots or kettles mounted on a brick or metal platform. The blubber was cut into small pieces and rendered down into oil, which was stored in barrels for transport.
Whaleboats: Whaling ships carried several small boats called whaleboats. These boats were used by the whaling crew to pursue and harpoon whales. They were typically rowed by oars and sometimes equipped with sails to increase their speed.
Living Quarters: Whaling ships had living quarters for the crew, which varied in comfort depending on the era and the ship's owner. The captain's cabin was usually the most spacious and well-appointed, while the crew lived in more cramped and basic conditions.