Objects Database

Edward Whymper Claw

Accession Number

1525.2020.1

Object Name

Edward Whymper Claw

Created

11/02/2020

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

11/02/2020

Brief Description

Homemade black replica of an Edward Whymper Claw

Materials

iron

Dimensions

18(L) x 7(W) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Colour

black

Maker

Jamie Kean

Provenance

Unfortunately, most people remember Edward Whymper for the terrible accident that happened on the Matterhorn in July 1865, when, having made the first ascent of the mountain, several of his party fell to their deaths on the way down. The story is told in the excellent book “The Day the Rope Broke” by Ronald W. Clarke.
The accident eclipsed Whymper’s dazzling career in the mountains and though he climbed extensively after the accident, he was never the same man and died many years later, a chronic alcoholic .
Made by our good friend, Jamie Kean, we have a fabulous replica here in the collection, of a Whymper Claw. An extract from Whymper’s own book, “Scrambles Amongst the Alps” tells the story:-
I devised two little appliances,
which were now brought into use for the first time.
One was a claw—a kind of grapnel,about 5 inches long, made of shear steel, one fifth of an inch thick. This was of use in difficult places where there was no hold within arm's length, but where there were cracks or ledges some distance
higher. The claw could be stuck on the end of the alpenstock and dropped into such places, or, on extreme occasions,flung up until it attached itself to something. The edges
that laid hold of the rocks were serrated,which tended to make them catch more readily, and the other end had a ring to which a rope was fastened. It must not be understood that
this was employed for hauling oneself up for any great distance,but that it was used in ascending, at the most, for only a few yards at a time. In descending, however, it could be prudently used for a greater distance at a time, as the claws could be planted firmly ; but it was necessary to keep the rope taut, and the pull constantly in the direction of the length of the implement, other-wise it had a tendency to slip away.
As well as an innovator/ inventor, Whymper was an illustrator, author and a man of letters....he left us with one of mountaineering’s greatest ever quotes:-
“Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are naught without prudence and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step: and from the beginning think what might be the end”

Acquisition Method

Donated by Jamie Kean

Acquisition Date

11/02/2020

Condition Check Date

11/02/2020

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

11/02/2020

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