whale line

Fur Trade, Obs.

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

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a heavy rope or line often used for tracking boats or canoes.

Quotations

1784

"We shall be greatly distressed next Spring unless you or East Main can assist us with some 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch whale line."

1913

. . . hauling, inch by inch, against the force of a rapid or fall with a whale or "main" line.