A boatsteerer was a position on a nineteenth-century whaleship. One of the most responsible members of the crew, a boatsteerer's duty was to pull the forward oar of a whaleboat until reaching within striking distance of a whale. He would then harpoon the whale with an iron while the boat-handler (mate) guided the boat.[1][2]

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References

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  1. ^ The Kendall Institute (2001). "Harpooners & Boatsteerers". Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  2. ^ "Nantucket Whaleboat Adventure Rowing Club". Archived from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-08-13.