Changes

'''Scrimshaw''' is the art of carving pictures into bone or ivory. Its roots can be traced back to Dutch whalers during the 1600's, but began in earnest with American whalemen of the 19th century. Prior to 1820, most of the teeth taken from sperm whales were used as items of barter with South Pacific islanders who prized them highly. Soon there was such a glut of teeth that they had lost their value as trade items. It was at this point that purely decorative scrimshaw, i.e. the engraving of scenes on teeth, bone, and [[baleen]], came into being.

'''Scrimshaw''' is the art of carving pictures into bone or ivory. Its roots can be traced back to Dutch whalers during the 1600s, but began in earnest with American whalemen of the 19th century. Prior to 1820, most of the teeth taken from sperm whales were used as items of barter with South Pacific islanders who prized them highly. Soon there was such a glut of teeth that they had lost their value as trade items. It was at this point that purely decorative scrimshaw, i.e. the engraving of scenes on teeth, bone, and [[baleen]], came into being.

Whaling voyages lasted from three to five years. Months could pass between whale sightings. Whalers were typically over-manned in order to handle the boats and the processing of whales; however, there was only so much shipboard work to keep a crew of 28 occupied.

Whaling voyages lasted from three to five years. Months could pass between whale sightings. Whalers were typically over-manned in order to handle the boats and the processing of whales; however, there was only so much shipboard work to keep a crew of 28 occupied.