51/17

Eel spears were used for catching eels in shallow, muddy estuaries across England. They had long handles and were thrust into the mud, trapping the eels between the spikes. This eel spear was found in the Wash. Its date is unknown.

1 eel spear: metal, wood

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – SPEAR (EEL) [EEL PRONG scored through] // DATE ACQUIRED: January, 1951 // GROUP: FISHING. Freshwater // NEGATIVE: 35/63 [64 scored through] // PERIOD: Unknown // PLACE OF ORIGIN: The H. J. Massingham Collection // NUMBER: 51/17M // DESCRIPTION: Eel prongs were used for catching eels in shallow, muddy rivers and other waters. They had long handles and were thrust down into the mud, so that the eels were imprisoned between the spikes. // Eel catching was common in all counties with flat muddy estuaries. It died out, however, when fried fish and chip shops put an end to the demand for eels. // This eel prong was found in the Wash, and there is no indication of its age. The long handle is missing and it measures 19.5 inches in length and 6.5 inches across the two prongs., MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/17 // NAME: EEL SPEAR // NEG NO.: 35/63 // STORAGE: '

Wood, Metal